Head of the Department of Korean Studies
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yana Mancheva
Office hours:
- Tuesday, 12:00–14:00, Room 132, Center for Eastern Languages and Cultures
E-mail: jmancheva@uni-sofia.bg
Website of the Center for Korean Studies: https://koreanstudies.bg/
Founding Year: 1995
Year of Establishment as an Independent Department: 2010
The Department of Korean Studies at Sofia University was founded in 1995 on the initiative of the late Prof. Dr. Alexander Fedotov, Prof. Dr. Svetla Karteva, and Prof. Dr. Kwon Jin Choi. In the spring of 2010, by decision of the Academic Council of Sofia University, the program was established as an independent department.
The Department of Korean Studies offers Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral level. The curriculum is designed to meet the standards of philological training, preparing specialists with advanced competence in spoken and written Korean and with a solid grounding in the history, literature, and culture of Korea. Alongside their focused specialization in Korean Studies, students acquire a broader academic perspective on East Asia, encompassing the region’s cultural, historical, and social diversity.
Graduates from the Bachelor’s program may pursue the Master’s Program in Korean Society and Culture, which provides advanced study of the political, social, and economic transformations of the Korean peninsula while fostering research competencies within the broader East Asian context. Through the program, students acquire a comprehensive understanding of historical and contemporary developments in the region, along with the analytical skills required for independent scholarly research and professional specialization.
Beginning with the 2025/2026 academic year, the Department will introduce a Master’s Program in Korean Studies designed for non-specialists without prior academic training in the field. The curriculum begins with an intensive Korean language course at the beginner level, enabling students to acquire essential communicative competence. Over four semesters, students complete required modules in Korean history, culture, religion, literature, and art, and the program concludes with the defense of a master’s thesis. This pathway provides a structured academic foundation that integrates linguistic training with a comprehensive understanding of Korea’s intellectual and cultural traditions.
Beyond its core educational programs, the Department of Korean Studies promotes a wide range of academic and cultural initiatives, including conferences, forums, round tables, workshops, seminars, and competitions. The Department also collaborates with institutions in both Korea and Bulgaria on joint research and cultural projects, providing students with opportunities to engage in its intellectual life and to develop professional skills essential for academic and career advancement. Outstanding students may participate in short- and long-term study programs in the Republic of Korea, as well as in exchange programs with partner universities across Europe.