Korean Studies Program

left to right (sitting): Margaret Rhee, former UB professor of Media Study; Molly Kim, professor, Hanyang Unversity; and Ekrem Serdar, curator, Squeaky Wheel Film and Media Art Center, at the first annual Korean Studies symposium on Korean Film and Drama.

In spring 2025, the Asia Research Institute launched the UB Korean Studies Program, a non-degree program built on the many initiatives developed with a three-year seed grant from the Academy of Korean Studies. The core of the program is a vibrant group of UB professors engaged in research about Korea and teaching a growing list of Korea-focused classes.

The Korean Studies Program helps to support and promote Korean language and culture courses that are part of degree programs in the Department of Linguistics and Asian Studies Program. As a constituent unit of ARI, the program also includes:

  • an annual Korean studies conference
  • an ongoing lecture series in Korean studies
  • an annual week-long artist-in-residence program
  • new opportunities for students to study in Korea
  • the Gyeonggi Youth Ladder Summer Program at UB
  • funding opportunities for faculty and students