South Korea: Global Media and Cross-Cultural Psychology

The goal of this program is to introduce students to contemporary Korean media and popular culture. By immersing participants in the live environment of South Korea, they will develop a cross-cultural perspective related to mental and physical health. 

In this hybrid study abroad program, students will start autumn quarter on campus then travel to greater metropolitan Seoul, the capital and the largest city of the country in mid-October. After spending several weeks in South Korea, participants will return to campus to complete their autumn quarter coursework.

As a vibrant, urban, metropolitan center of Korea, Seoul offers a myriad of historical sites, media hubs for digital technology, and cultural center that produces globally popular media and cultural contents. Students will also have the opportunity to investigate cultural factors predicting mental and physical health in Korea, as well as how these cultural factors are reflected in globally popular media and cultural contents. By exploring Seoul, students will have a hands-on experience of cultural hybridity, a key concept of today's media/cultural globalization, in multiple different levels—e.g., between the global and the local, the modern and the contemporary, as well as old and new.

Beyond Seoul, we will also visit two other major cities in other provinces to experience different and diverse aspects of Korea. Busan, a coastal city and the second largest city, is well known for the Busan International Film Festival which has played a pivotal role in (globalization of) Asian cinema. As located in Jeolla- province, Jeonju provides students with (unique) Korean food culture and historical sites. Visiting those three most metropolitan cities in Korea will enhance students’ global learning experiences by providing them with first-hand knowledge of the complex relationship between the local, the national, and the global, outside of the United States. Additionally, we will also visit the DMZ (demilitarized zone), which will provide students with a unique opportunity to learn about Korean history, particularly the Korean War and the subsequent division between the North and the South. 

In addition to coursework and papers, students will be required to maintain a reflective journal throughout the study abroad program. These reflective journals will include both content-oriented prompts and prompts related to their experiences abroad. 

This study abroad program is taught by Dr. Ji-Hyun Ahn and Dr. Hyoung Suk Lee. 

Academic Content

TCOM 340 - Global TV: Format, Genre, and Reception (5 credits)

This course introduces students to theories of global television studies, the reception of global television programs abroad, and several case studies of television format from around the world. A special focus will be on East Asia with an emphasis on Korea. Throughout the series of case studies, the course attempts to understand how television program, industry, and audience together craft global television flow.    

Learning Goals Include:

• Identify various topics and themes in global television studies 

• Explain the cultural, political, and social contexts of global TV flow 

• Compare and contrast several case studies in their local and global contexts, particularly regarding cultural and industrial differences 

• Evaluate different styles of narrative structure in various television genres including drama and reality 

TCOM 430 - Global Networks and Local Identities (5 credits)

This course examines scholarly debates on the relationship between the local and the global, discuss the structure and content of transnational television networks, and evaluate the impact of these networks on local identities. To understand these complex issues, the course specifically uses the Korean Wave, or the globalization of Korean media and popular culture, as a primary site for understanding complex nature of current global/regional media landscape. The course covers major concepts, theories, topics/themes, and cases associated with the Korean Wave. In particular, the course discusses important issues such as social media, media production/consumption, cultural regionalization, postcolonialism, and cultural identities in the context of global media studies.   

Learning Goals Include:

• Understand the transnational flows of global media with a particular emphasis on Korean Wave  

• Analyze transnational production, circulation, and consumption of popular culture   

• Examine the construction and negotiation of diasporic identity through media consumption 

• Analyze the role of transnational television networks in shaping local identities 

TPSYCH 472- Cross-Cultural Studies in Social Sciences  (5 credits) 

This course is still under development and will be updated in the coming weeks. This course is designed to study topics related to humanities and social sciences with cross-cultural perspective. Subjects included in this course will be theories of cross-cultural studies, methodology and critical thinking of cross-cultural research, impacts of cultures on human behavior and social interaction, and application of cross-cultural perspective in real-life everyday problems. 

Learning Goals Include: 

• Describe cross-cultural perspective in humanities and social sciences

• Explain the pros and cons of an ethnocentric view and Western principles of human behavior and society

• Recognize the cultural influence on human behavior, communication, attitudes, and values

• Analyze and critique research studies on cross-cultural topics

• Discuss the application of cross-cultural perspective to understand and solve real-life issues in personal, social and organizational settings. 

Program Schedule

The program runs from September 27 to December 8, 2023. Students will spend October 27 to November 21 in South Korea and will be required to participate in on-campus activities before and after traveling to the South Korea.

Housing

Students will stay in shared hotel rooms during this program.

Student Eligibility

There are no prerequisites for this program, but students must be in "good academic standing" (2.0 or above) to participate. While students with Korean language skills will better navigate the study abroad program, language proficiency is not required for participation. Interviews will be conducted prior to acceptance into the program.

Given that many UWT students are first-generation students and from diverse cultural and economic backgrounds, UWT students’ lived experience will enhance their understanding of cultural differences and ability to deal with emotionally challenging situations in a foreign country.

This program would most benefit students majoring in Communication and Psychology. However, the content would also be beneficial to students in Arts, Media, and Culture, (Global) History, Nursing and Healthcare Leadership, or other related fields. The program would be best for undergraduate students.

Application Deadline

Applications are due on February 15, 2023. Applicants will be notified of acceptance decisions by March 1, 2023. Once accepted to the program, applicants will need to confirm their participation in the program by March 15, 2023.

Travel Documents and Insurance

All program participants must have a valid passport in order to travel to South Korea.

Visas

Visas are not required for U.S. passport holders staying less than 90 days.  

If you are a citizen of another country, you can research visa requirements by calling the consular offices of countries to where you will be traveling or visiting the following website: http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/country.html. 

The cost and requirements for obtaining visas vary. It is your responsibility to determine visa requirements for all countries you plan to visit while abroad including countries that you plan to visit before or after your study abroad program. This is an especially important consideration if you are planning to do more than one study abroad program.

Insurance

The University of Washington requires students engaged in educational activities abroad – including study, research, internships or community engagement – to purchase UW Student Abroad Insurance. If you are a current UW student, you are required to purchase coverage UW Student Abroad Insurance. Details are on the UW Study Abroad Insurance page.

Program Cost

The program fee is $4990.

Included in the cost of the program:

• $470 Administrative Fee
• Instruction (15 credits)
• Housing and some meals while students are abroad
• Program activities and program travel

Not Included:

• Airfare
• Meals (except as listed above)
• UW Student Abroad Insurance
• Transportation to and from the airport in the U.S.
• Personal expenses (phone calls, eating out, etc.)
• Textbooks

Payment Due Date: October 13, 2023

Program fees will be posted to your MyUW student account and can be paid the same way that you pay tuition and other fees. Check your MyUW Account periodically for due dates.

Withdrawals

The $470 UW Study Abroad Administrative Fees are non-refundable once a contract has been submitted. Students withdrawing from a program are responsible for paying a percentage of the program fee depending on the date of withdrawal. More details about the withdrawal policy are included in your payment contract. No part of the program fee is refundable once the program has begun (please refer to Emergency Withdrawal information below, if applicable). The date of withdrawal is considered the business day a withdrawal form is received by the Office of Global Affairs. Notice of withdrawal from the program must be made in writing by completing the following steps:

Please email uwtintl@uw.edu and copy your program director(s) providing notice that you will no longer be participating in the program. You will also need to respond to any further communication from the Office of Global Affairs to finalize your withdrawal.

If a program is cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, student will not be charged either the UW Study Abroad Administrative Fee or the UW Tacoma Study Abroad Program Fee.

Emergency Withdrawal

If you cannot participate in a study abroad program, you may submit an Emergency Withdrawal Petition. If granted, the Emergency Withdrawal may allow for partial relief from your financial obligations to the program.

An Emergency Withdrawal Petition may be submitted in the following circumstances:

• Unanticipated change in financial situation
• Medical emergency
• Death in immediate family
• Active military duty
• Unusual or extenuating circumstances

To submit an Emergency Withdrawal Petition, complete this form and email it to uwtintl@uw.edu. 

Financial Aid and Scholarships

• A large percentage of UW students utilize financial aid to study abroad. Most types of financial aid can be applied to study abroad fees.
• For UW Tacoma students, you can submit a revision request to increase the amount of aid for the quarter you are studying abroad. These additional funds are usually awarded in the form of loans. To apply, fill out a revision request form, attach the budget sheet (available via the link at the top of this brochure) and submit these documents to the UW Tacoma Office of Financial Aid.
• For UW Seattle or Bothell Students, you can apply by filling out a revision request form, attach the budget sheet (available via the link at the top of this brochure) and submit these documents to the Office of Financial Aid.
• Consult the Financial Aid section on the UW Study Abroad website for more information on applying for financial aid, special considerations for summer and early fall programs, and budgeting and fundraising tips
• Please also review this list of scholarships: these are opportunities that can help fund your study abroad experience. Please note that many of them have deadlines before your study abroad application is due. For help with the application process, please contact uwtintl@uw.edu.

Budgeting Tools

We understand that figuring out your finances for study abroad can be complicated, and we are here to help. Here are some ways to find additional support:

• Click on the Budget Sheets link at the top of this brochure to view the estimated budget of all expenses for this program.
• UW Tacoma students can attend a How to Fund Your Study Abroad event - more information is on the Events page of our website.

Changes in Cost or Scope of Program

In the event of significant devaluations of the dollar, some adjustments to program activities may be necessary. If there are any political events that might compromise the safety of the participants, a rescheduling or cancellation of the program may be necessary. If such changes occur, students will be notified of the changes and options will be presented.

Orientation

To be eligible to study abroad, all program participants must attend an online pre-departure orientation facilitated by UW Study Abroad as well as your program-specific orientations, offered by your program directors. Orientation must be completed prior to the enrollment deadline for the quarter that you are studying abroad.

Program Cancellation

If viable enrollment is not reached by April 3, 2023 the program will be cancelled. Participants will be notified and the administrative and program fees will be refunded.

Disability Accommodation