This course is a survey of the relation between Korean language and Korean
culture and society; no background in Korea or Korean language is required.

Language is an important window through which one can understand the
culture and society of the people who use it, because people's
socio-cultural behaviors and attitudes as well as thoughts are reflected in
their use of the language.  We will deal with such topics as kinship
terminology, color terms, sexism in language, names, luck and taboo words,
proverbs, communication styles, structure of folk narratives, the Korean
writing system (particularly its cultural background and cultural
implications), metaphors, and loan words.  Through these topics, we will
look through the cultural and conceptual as well as philosophical makeup of
Korean people, and the structure of Korean society that is reflected
through Korean language.

Assignments
1.  Readings: appropriate readings will be assigned for each topic.
2.  One midterm and one final exam
3.  Three short (3-5 page) essays on the topics covered in class, one of
which is based on a small-group project.