The University is in the process of securing a grant from the Korea Foundation to be used in developing and enhancing its Korean language and culture programming.

Interim Provost Irving Epstein first announced the grant in his Provost’s report at the Jan. 29 faculty meeting, including it in a list of various other grants and prizes awarded to departments, professors and the University as a whole. In an email to the Justice, Epstein wrote: “I’m delighted that we have received this grant, which will build on our current Korean language program and make Korean language and culture offerings accessible to a wider range of Brandeis students.”

Epstein also wrote that Assistant Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations Sandra Resnick Ph.D. ’06 has been handling the finalization of the grant. Resnick did not return requests for comment as of press time.

According to its website, the Korea Foundation promotes the study of Korean language and culture through a variety of international programs and grants.

“The Korea Foundation establishes professorships in Korean language programs and Korean studies programs at overseas universities equipped with infrastructure and potential for growth,” the foundation’s website explains.

“The Foundation provides support for Korea-related courses and research in universities by establishing professorships in Korean language and Korean studies programs.”

Currently, the University is only offering one Korean language class this semester, which is KOR 20b: Continuing Korean. This is the follow-up to KOR 10a: Beginning Korean, which was offered in the fall by Prof. Eun-Jo Lee (KOR) who is also teaching the continuing course. Continuing Korean is one of five Korean language classes offered overall in the University, according to a Nov. 24 bulletin. The University additionally offered a Korean art class in the fall, though it has historically offered only an irregular handful of Korea-centric classes in the past.

—Abby Patkin