History

What?

The Korean Studies subject at the Centre for Oriental Languages and Cultures is an area of study concerning Korean language, history, literature, culture, present social, political and economical situation on the Korean Peninsula.The increasing need for qualified specialists on Korean language and matters prompted the occurance of such a unique for the higher education in Bulgaria subject.

When?

Korean Studies was founded in 1995 as a result from the motion made by assoc.prof.dr. Alexander Fedotoff and chief assistant dr.Svetla Kurteva at the Faculty council of the Faculty of Classical and Modern Philology on 28th June 1994. The resolution of the Senate carried out on 7th December 1994 lead to the official establishment of the Korean Studies subject.

Why?

The main purpose of this unique and intriguing subject at Sofia University is to train and qualify people on various Korean linguistics, cultural and social matters.Such kind of specialists are needed in the translation activities of investment projects and legally active companies within the boundaries of Bulgaria.Also in compound associations and firms there is a demand for such qualified people acquainted with the present political, economical and social processes in Eastern Asia including North and South Korea. Moreover, Korean Studies aims at training specialists of master's and doctor's degrees who will be able of taking part in the academic process at Sofia University.

How?

The requirement for applying for the subject is successfully taken examination on western language or Russian. The number of available positions is determined by the Council of Ministers.The amount of the annual tuition fee for students at Sofia University is also settled by the Council of Ministers.

Who?

Currently classes of Korean Studies are carried out by three lecturers on the pay-roll and a guest-lecturer from the Republic of Korea.Part-time and doctor's degree lecturers also take significant part in the academic process.

• Prof. Alexander Fedotoff,Doctor Habil
• Assoc.prof. Svetla Kurteva-Dancheva
• Assistant Ianitsa Ivanova
• Dr. Gwon-Jin Choi
• Dr. So Young Kim
• Boiko Pavlov
• Doctor's degree Miroslava Dimitrova
• Doctor's degree Irina Sotirova

Interviews

Below you can read some opinions concerning Korean Studies at Sofia University made by lecturers at our department. Since my purpose was not to compare opinions but to affect as many matters related to the subject as possible, generally the questions in each interview are different.

• Prof. Alexander Fedotoff, Doctor Habil
• Assoc.prof. Svetla Kurteva-Dancheva
• Dr. So Young Kim
• Assistant Ianitsa Ivanova