Case Study for Exploring the Possibility of Sharing General Education Curriculum through Credit Transfer －Focusing on US and European Cases

Abstract

General education at universities is facing a challenging situation, due to the declining school-age population and lack of finances in Korea. A number of departments in the fundamental academic areas, which are the foundation of the general education curriculum, have been closed or integrated with other departments, making the situation even worse for education. A shared university model centered on general education can be an alternative that can efficiently utilize limited resources and enhance the quality of education by expanding openness and transparency. Sharing high-quality subjects is a key factor in the success of shared universities. However, attempts to share general education subjects, which were promoted by endogenous reasons, are losing momentum. This study seeks implications and practical methods for the establishment of a shared university centered on general education by exploring cases of credit transfer and statewide general education core curricula in the United States and Europe.