The Social Studies Curriculum in Korea: Characteristics, Issues, and Prospects

Abstract

The main purpose of this study is to analyze the history and characteristics of the national social studies curriculum in Korea, with a special focus on the 2015 Revised Social Studies Curriculum. Based on the introduction of the current framework of social studies curriculum and a brief chronological outline of the national curriculum revision over the past 60 years, this study illustrated key features of the 2015 Revised Social Studies Curriculum. In sum, looking at the contemporary history of national curriculum revision, the social studies curriculum was characterized by ‘instability’ due to the lack of a long-term view in curriculum design, and due to a strong tendency to separate instead of integrate subject matter across its major content areas. The analysis of 2015 Revised Social Studies Curriculum demonstrates that the 2015 revision is differentiated from the previous versions in terms of 1) the integrative approach to the core courses, 2) an increased emphases on the themes of multiculturalism and global awareness, and 3) the special attention given to education for ‘territory’ and ‘financial literacy.’ Finally, three persistent issues underlying Korea's social studies curriculum--namely, strong state control over the curriculum, detrimental effects of the micro-politics of social studies subjects, and the gap between national curriculum and teacher preparation—were discussed in relation to its future direction.