동국대학교 대표홈페이지

2026 DISS Course Schedule

Session	Time	Course Title	Area
SESSION 1 (June 22~July 3)	09:00-12:30	Korean Language and Culture (Basic)	K-Language & Culture
		Korean Cinema Plus: Remakes, Revenge, Rebellion	Film & Media
		K-Brand Communication Strategy	K-Wave & Marketing
		Buddhism and Contemporary World	Buddhism
		Comparative Criminal Justice : Theoretical Perspectives	Criminal Justice
	14:30-18:00	Korean Language and Culture (Intermediate)	K-Language & Culture
		Hallyu - Korean Popular Culture and Digital Technologies	K-Wave (Hallyu)
		Lead Better: Leadership Skills Workshop in 1:1 Management	Business & Communication
		Korean Dystopian Content: From Parasite to Squid Game	Film & Media
SESSION 2 （July 6 ~ 17）	09:00-12:30	Korean Language and Culture (Basic)	K-Language & Culture
		Korean Popular Culture; Society & Media	K-Wave (Film & Media)
		Korean Music in Context : from Traditional music to K-pop	K-Wave (Film & Media)
		Comparative Criminal Justice : System and Field	Criminal Justice
	14:30-18:00	Korean Language and Culture (Intermediate)	K-Language & Culture
		Nature-Inspired Engineering: Designs from the Natural World	Engineering
		Comparative Studies on World Cinema	Film & Media
		Cultivating Healthy Mind and Body with Meditation	Buddhism & Meditation

* Courses are subject to change.
* Applicants are responsible for confirming credit transfer availability with their home university advisors.

Courses at a glance by field

Courses	Professor/Course Description
Korean Cinema Plus: Remakes, Revenge, Rebellion	Prof. Michael A. Unger
09:00-12:30	Embark on a captivatingcinematic journey through the rich tapestry of Korean cinema in "KoreanCinema Plus: Remakes, Revenge, Rebellion." This course delves into thedynamic interplay of remakes, revenge narratives, and themes of rebellion inKorean cinema, showcasing iconic films that span over 104 years of the nation'scinematic evolution. Through a combination of lectures, immersive filmscreenings, and thought-provoking discussions, students will gain insights intothe creative and commercial rebirth of Korean cinema. Immerse yourself in theart of storytelling, visual aesthetics, and cultural representation as weexplore the remakes, revenge tales, and rebellious narratives that have definedKorean cinema's contribution to global film culture. Open your eyes to thecreativity, innovation, and socio-political resonance that have shaped thecinematic landscape of Korea.
Korean Popular Culture (3crs)	Prof. Chang Rae Kim
09:00-12:30	This class is designed to encourage the student to develop the skills of analysis, critical reading, and self-expression. It aims to introduce students to cultivate an appreciation of Korean film, TV drama and music as a complex form of popular culture. The class involves film/video screening, class discussions, reports, in-class analysis exercises and written assignments. Various forms of Korean popular culture, with a special emphasis on films, will be selected to illustrate diverse styles and approaches to film/TV/music-making. The class will also look more deeply at the nature of popular culture itself, its social meanings and the intertextual relationship of individual text and cultural industries with the audience.
Korean Dystopia: From Parasite to Squid Game (3crs)	Prof. Jason Bechervaise
14:30-18:00	This course will offer a guided introduction to Korea’s most resilient genres of the human imagination: dystopian content. Like survivors of a zombie apocalypse huddled around a campfire, we will turn to cinema and dramas to debate some of the big questions about the future of Korea’s socio-political issues, technology, and capitalism. This course is designed as a critical speaking seminar which includes lectures, film viewings with portions of the class devoted to oral presentations and discussions. We will track the changing nature of Korean dystopian content: from movies like Train to Busan and Parasite to serial dramas like Hellbound and Squid Game. By the end of course, students will have a firm grasp of the history of the genre and will be able to draw on this knowledge to effectively debate issues related to Korean society, popular culture, geo-political history, and Hallyu (Korean Wave).
Comparative Studies on World Cinema (3crs)	Prof. Tim Bergfelder Prof. Byran Konefsky
14:30-18:00	This course offers a comparative introduction into three different film cultures, European cinema, American cinema and Mainland Chinese cinema. The course will provide a systematic historical and thematic overview of the main developments and characteristics of the three film cultures. The course will consist of three blocks of three lectures each, accompanied by class discussion and the screening of relevant films. At the end of the module, we will actively seek to highlight the differences and interconnections between the three film cultures. One of our aims is to show how there have always been exchanges and dialogues between different film cultures, and as an example, we will see how the genre of the “Western” has been adapted in different contexts.

Courses	Professor/Course Description
Korean Language & Culture (3crs) Basic	Dongguk University Korean Language Center
09:00-12:30	The objective of this course is for students to read and write Korean consonants and vowels completely and understand basic sentence structure, tense expression, and usage of verbs and adjectives. This course will help students to build basic Korean communication skills for daily lives and understand Korean culture with its local experience.
Korean Language & Culture (3crs) Intermediate	Dongguk University Korean Language Center
14:30-18:00	The objective of this course is for students to pronunciate under phonological and pronunciation rules. Depending on the situation, students can understand when to use formal or informal expressions. This course will help students to compose sentences using various connecting words and express Korean naturally with the use of verbal and indirect speech.
Music of Korea - From Traditional Music to K-pop (3crs)	Prof. Jeong Hyeon Joo
09:00-12:30	This course provides a comprehensive overview of Korean music, spanning from traditional to contemporary genres and practices. Daily topics will vary from traditional gugak to recent music genres, such as K-pop, indie music, experimental music, trot, and film music. Students will explore sociological contexts, cultural backgrounds, compositional ideas, and performance styles through lectures, group discussions, listening, reading, and creative activities.

Courses	Professor/Course Description
Consumer Psychology in the Korean Wave (Hallyu) (3crs)	Dr. Jihoon (Jay) Kim
09:00-12:30	This course explores psychological principles within the context of K-content, examining how K-pop, K-drama, K-film, and other Korean media forms influence consumer behavior worldwide. Students will analyze key psychological drivers of engagement with K-content, such as cultural identity. Additionally, the course addresses the social and psychological impacts of K-content consumption and its global cultural influence, providing insights into why K-content resonates globally. Topics include consumer psychology, brand influence, and audience dynamics, with practical applications to digital campaigns and content strategy.
Lead Better: Leadership Skills Workshop in 1:1 Management (3crs))	Prof. Karin McDonald
14:30-18:00	This course is an intensive, practical course for budding managers who want to master the communication and interpersonal management skills to “get things done through people”, whether those people are team members, employees, or themselves. Students will learn to: manage their own time and regulate their emotions, actively listen (validate vs. interpret), manage down to subordinates, manage up to seniors, hold people accountable, respond to feedback, negotiate, ask a favor, fire someone, cope with on-the-job grief, gossip and poison, and give and receive criticism effectively. This hands-on workshop is flipped learning style, with all the instruction delivered in video format outside of class and class time devoted to student team review and role-play. ‘Lead better’ demands active participation of every student in and outside every class session, but rewards students with unparalleled first-hand practice in what it really takes to manage effectively in the 21st century.

Courses	Professor/Course Description
Buddhism and Buddhist Practices (3crs)	Dr. Joerg Tuske (week 1) Ven. Dr. Jahun (week 2)
09:00-12:30	This course explores the relevance of Buddhism in the modern world, focusing on essential teachings and principles that can be applied to contemporary life and also on regional perspectives. Students will examine how Buddhist philosophy addresses current societal challenges, such as stress, environmental issues, and interpersonal conflicts. The course aims to provide foundational knowledge of Buddhist concepts, practices, and values, fostering a deeper understanding of mindfulness, compassion, and interdependence. By connecting ancient wisdom with modern contexts, students will gain practical insights into navigating today’s fast-paced and complex world.
Cultivating Healthy Mind and Body with Meditation (3crs)	Hyeju Sunim
14:30-18:00	This course covers a wide spectrum of Buddhist meditation practices, including mindfulness meditation, concentration meditation, and Seon (Zen/Chan). Students will learn how to approach Buddhist meditation practices and explore how to practice them. By learning to understand their selves and interconnectedness among all beings, students will be able to observe how their mind works and explore how to live in harmony with all other beings with healthy and compassionate mind. This course will also discuss the global movement of meditation practices and the benefits of practicing meditation for well-being. Students will learn to apply these meditation practices to their daily lives.

Courses	Professor/Course Description
Comparative Criminal Justice: Theoretical Perspectives (3crs)	Prof. Younoh Cho & Dennis Lee
09:00-12:30(class) 14:00-17:00(Field Trip)	Students will explore a variety of criminological theories by engaging in numerous hand-on experiences in the field of criminology and criminal justice in South Korea. This course offers students a unique opportunity to explore the criminal justice systems and social institutions of South Korea in comparison to those of the United States. Through immersive experiences, lectures, and cultural engagement, students will gain a deeper understanding of the similarities and differences between the two countries, with a focus on criminal justice structures, practices, and broader societal frameworks. The course begins by examining the value of comparative analysis in understanding global criminal justice systems. Students will analyze the basic structures of the criminal justice systems in both South Korea and the U.S., including the roles of policing, courts, and corrections. Special attention will be given to the unique features of South Korea’s criminal justice system, such as its community-oriented policing models, court procedures, and rehabilitation-focused correctional practices.
Comparative Criminal Justice: System and Field (3crs)	Prof. Seungmug (Zech) Lee, PhD, & Younho Cho, PhDm
09:00-12:30(class) 14:00-15:00(Field Trip)	The course aims to enhance students' understanding of how different criminal justice frameworks can influence practices and outcomes, while encouraging the development of more efficient and effective systems in both nations. Additionally, the course includes field visits to various South Korean institutions, providing students with a unique opportunity to observe the practical applications of the country's criminal justice system and engage with real-world challenges. This course offers a theoretical examination of the comparative criminal justice systems of the U.S.A. and South Korea, with a focus on the key areas of law, policing, courts, and corrections. Through an in-depth comparison of different criminal justice systems, students will explore both the specific and universal elements of each system. Students will delve into critical topics that transcend geographical borders and challenge conventional norms. Moreover, from analyzing the effectiveness of crime prevention strategies, students will navigate the intricate landscapes of criminal justice systems worldwide.

Evaluation & Credit Transfer

Evaluation Policy (based on absolute evaluation)

Grading is based on attendance, class discussion, homework and examination. According to the a regulation, Dongguk University requires a minimum of 80% attendance to receive academic credit. Students are evaluated by ‘PASS’ or ‘FAIL’ (However, a letter grade will be conferred as well upon request)

Grading Scale

Grade	A+	A0	B+	B0	C+	C0	D+	D0	F	P
Mark	4.5	4.0	3.5	3.0	2.5	2.0	1.5	1.0	0

Attendance Policy

Absence more than 1/5 = F
3 times lateness = 1 absence

Credit Transfer

Students in other colleges and universities may transfer credits according to the regulations of their home institutions. Please consult with the appropriate academic authorities or academic advisors to check whether a specific course in Dongguk International Summer School may be applied toward academic major or distribution requirements.

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