국제한국언어문화학회

Journal of the International Network for Korean Language and Culture 17-2, 75-98. Based on objective or quantitative analysis, personal observations and some anecdotal notes, this study presents the recent developments of Australian universities that offer Korean Studies major programs and their academic activities. Additionally, this study presents an analysis of the current state of Korean Studies programs and their characteristic developments and explores their current and future challenges. Specifically, the study begins by presenting a main statistical index––namely the global standings of the Australian universities that offer Korean Studies––together with information about their global learning programs. It then undertakes analysis of their development in stages and the current state of the Korean language and Korean studies programs, in addition to investigating government support and the appointment of faculty members, approaches to teaching and research, and the recent activities of academic bodies that are related to Korean Studies. The study also briefly highlights the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and challenges of the Australian universities that offer Korean Studies. The study followingly presents and briefly discusses challenges such as establishing new faculty positions, offering new disciplinary courses, raising early career scholars, and forming digital or virtual research clusters. It concludes with a brief discussion regarding the implications from the experiences of Australian universities for the development of Korean Studies in other regions.(UNSW)