Welcome

The USC Korean Studies Institute (KSI) celebrates its 30th anniversary this year as a dynamic hub for interdisciplinary research and academic exchange in Korean studies at USC and beyond. The Institute supports research and teaching on globally relevant issues within the Korean context through its research-oriented initiatives and student-centered programs.

The KSI Event Calendar

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Faculty-Led Research Initiatives

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.

Koreatown and the Korean American Experience

The March First Symposium on History and Democracy

Korean Language, Literature, and Translation

Korean Media and Performing Arts

Technoscience, Environment, and Culture

The U.S-Korea Network in Economics, Policy, and International Relations

Upcoming Event

Pacific Graduate Conference for Korean Studies at USC

The Annual Pacific Graduate Conference for Korean Studies at USC (PaCKS) fosters a multidisciplinary community of local and regional graduate students whose research projects significantly engage Korean society and culture across the periods. It offers a platform for emerging scholars to present their work-in-progress, receive feedback from faculty and peers, and participate in interdisciplinary discussions within a supportive environment.

Conference papers highlight research projects from the humanities and social sciences related to Korea, East Asia, or Asian diasporas. In these works, Korea is situated within broader comparative or theoretical frameworks. Previous panels at the conference included a wide range of subjects such as gender issues in contemporary media, Sinitic influences in premodern Korea, South Korean immigration policy, and more.

Each panel will be moderated by a faculty discussant who will comment on and contribute  to student presentations. This year’s conference will take place on October 1-2, 2026. The full agenda of the conference is available here – 2026 PaCKS schedule. Please RSVP Here

For inquiries, contact the organizing committee at uscpacks@gmail.com.

conference flyer
Call for Application

KSI Undergraduate Research Fellows Program

The Korean Studies Institute (KSI) Undergraduate Fellows Program offers outstanding USC undergraduates the opportunity to conduct original research on Korean and Korean American history, culture, and society under close faculty mentorship. During the fall semester, fellows are required to enroll in KSI 399 (#25813) for four units, a course structured as an honors thesis–style seminar in Korean studies. In this seminar, students develop and refine a substantial research paper on the topic of their choice through guided instruction, peer workshop, and individualized feedback.

In the spring semester, fellows continue revising their papers for presentation at the annual joint undergraduate research conference co-organized by KSI, the Nam Center for Korean Studies at the University of Michigan, and the James Joo-Jin Kim Center for Korean Studies at the University of Pennsylvania in the Spring semester. Alumni of the program have gone on to receive prestigious awards and fellowships, and many have successfully used their final papers for graduate school applications or journal publication. Read some of our fellows’ testimonies here.

In addition, undergraduate fellows receive priority access to KSI events and may be invited to select reception dinners, thus benefiting from more intellectual and professional networking opportunities beyond the classroom. Students with strong intellectual curiosity about Korean studies who are seeking sustained, guided research and mentorship are especially encouraged to apply.

Link to Application

KSI Video Series

We hosted a variety of events this past academic year – conferences, book talks, cultural events and many more. We captured some of the memorable moments to share with you. Check out our video channel – Link to Videos

Approaches for Korean and Korean-American Studies by Professor Jane Junn

Opening remarks by Professor Jane Junn, USC Associates Chair in Social Sciences, University of Southern California, at the Symposium on Korean America and the US-Korea Relations. Professor Junn discusses analytical challenges and comparative frames in conceptualizing the Korean American identity and studying Korean American politics and history. The symposium was organized by the Korean Studies Institute under the Initiative on March 1st Symposium on History and Democracy. For more information, visit link here

Jane Junn Video Thumbnail

“Korea and Korean America: Convergent and Divergent Paths” by Professor Shelley Lee, Brown University

Presentation on “Korea and Korean America: Convergent and Divergent Paths” by Professor Shelley Lee, Brown University. Professor Lee spoke during the session on “New directions in Korean American Studies.” The symposium was organized by the Korean Studies Institute under the Initiative on March 1st Symposium on History and Democracy. For more information, visit link here

Shelley Lee

“Memory, Identity, and Shared Transnational Heritage: Rehabilitating the Young Korean Academy (Hung Sa Dahn) Historic Site in Los Angeles” by Dr. Jong-Hyun Lim, Heritage Smart Consulting Group

Presentation on “Memory, Identity, and Shared Transnational Heritage: Rehabilitating the Young Korean Academy (Hung Sa Dahn) Historic Site in Los Angeles” by Dr. Jong-Hyun Lim, Heritage Smart Consulting Group. Dr. Lim spoke during the session on “New directions in Korean American Studies.” The symposium was organized by the Korean Studies Institute under the Initiative on March 1st Symposium on History and Democracy. For more information, visit link here

Jong Hyun Lim

Korean Studies Programs at USC

    KSI Undergraduate Fellows Program

    The Korean Studies Institute (KSI) Undergraduate Fellows Program offers outstanding USC undergraduates the opportunity to conduct original research on Korean and Korean American history, culture, and society under close faculty mentorship. During the fall semester, fellows are required to enroll in KSI 399 (#25813) for four units, a course structured as an honors thesis–style seminar in Korean studies. In this seminar, students develop and refine a substantial research paper through guided instruction, peer workshop, and individualized feedback.

    In the spring semester, fellows continue revising their papers for presentation at the annual joint undergraduate research conference co-organized by KSI, the Nam Center for Korean Studies at the University of Michigan, and the James Joo-Jin Kim Center for Korean Studies at the University of Pennsylvania. Alumni of the program have gone on to receive prestigious awards and fellowships, and many have successfully used their final papers for graduate school applications or journal publication.

    In addition, undergraduate fellows receive priority access to KSI events and may be invited to select reception dinners, thus benefiting from intellectual and professional networking opportunities beyond the classroom. Students with strong intellectual curiosity about Korean studies who are seeking sustained, guided research and mentorship are especially encouraged to apply.

    East Asian Languages and Cultures: Majors and Minors

    The core requirements for the EALC major and minor allow students flexibility in designing their own course of study. Majors typically select one language and cultural area (Chinese, Japanese, or Korean) in which they do most of their course work. Students are encouraged to explore beyond their individual language focus by enrolling in the full range of EALC courses available in literature, film, history, media, and other aspects of East Asian cultures. Learn more.

    Korean Language Program

    Being able to speak another language simply provides you with better opportunities as well as personal enrichment. Or you may want to pursue that interest in K-pop or Korean TV dramas. These are just a few reasons to learn Korean. Whatever your motivation, the Korean Language Program at USC will help you to achieve your goal of acquiring linguistic and cultural competence in the Korean language.

    East Asian Studies Center: Korean Studies Minor

    The Korean Studies (KRNS) minor is intended for students who are interested in the political, economic, social and cultural changes of the area, and draws upon courses from departments across the social sciences, humanities, and professional schools. The East Asian Studies Center also offers majors and minors in East Asian Area Studies.

    Our Community

    Graduate Students

    Graduate Students can organize the annual USC Conference in Korean Studies, participate in the Bridging Asia Conference, and receive the Summer Fieldwork Grant.

    Undergraduate Students

    Undergraduate Students are invited to join the KSI Fellows Program and participate in the Joint Conference with the Nam Center of Korean Studies at the University of Michigan.

    Visiting Scholars

    KSI annually hosts visiting scholars from academia, government, and private organizations. Visiting scholars are welcome to take active part in the institute’s activities.