Mission

Founded in 1880, USC is the oldest private research university in California. It has grown today to encompass 23 schools offering over 150 majors and minors. USC KSI draws its faculty and students from a diverse array of USC schools, including the Annenberg School for Communication, the Dornsife College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences, the Roski School of Art and Design, the Rossier School of Education, the School of Architecture, the School of Cinematic Arts, the School of Dramatic Arts, and the Sol Price School of Public Policy. The institute aims to nurture and fortify this interdisciplinary academic community by fostering networks, scholarship, and curricula focused on Korea. From its location in the heart of Los Angeles, the institute also plays a pivotal role in facilitating transpacific communication and exchange between the United States and Korea, regularly hosting visiting scholars and guest speakers.

At KSI, we are dedicated to generating new knowledge while preserving and revitalizing cultural heritage. In collaboration with USC’s Korean Heritage Library—renowned for its premier collection in Korean and Korean American Studies—the institute supports a range of research initiatives that include global Korean history, language and literature, politics, media and performance arts, technoscience, urban studies, and environmental humanities. KSI also fosters the development of Korea-focused courses that transcend traditional formats, incorporating conference presentations, field trips, and community engagement. Furthermore, the institute offers grants to its core faculty and to graduate students conducting research on Korea.

KSI is committed to providing cultural and educational opportunities to the public through various channels. In addition to in-person events on campus, the institute offers online resources that include an archive of past KSI events and a curated list of valuable links for Korean studies. The institute also maintains a social media presence through a frequently updated YouTube channel and through profiles on Facebook,  Instagram, and X. Additionally, USC KSI collaborates with the Korean Consulate General, the Korean Cultural Center of Los Angeles, and USC’s Asia Pacific Art Museum to organize Korea-related public events. The institute’s core as well as affiliate faculty are often sought for interviews and commentary by national and international media on issues of relevance to Korean affairs.