Department Introduction
The Department of History is one of the oldest and most respected academic units of Sungkyunkwan University, which has functioned as a major institution for education and research in Korea since its establishment in 1398.
The Department of History seeks to develop undergraduate students’ abilities to learn from history and to train graduate students’ skills as necessary to undertake rigorous and critical research by offering a wide range of courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels. In particular, the Department puts a strong emphasis on learning foreign languages such as classical Chinese, modern Chinese, Japanese, Russian, English, French, and German in order to raise students’ comprehension abilities so they can understand a wide range of historical sources. Twice every year, the Department of History also provides students with an opportunity to visit historical sites in the country.
The Department’s faculty members include specialists in Korean, Asian, and Western histories of various periods. They are working on cutting edge historical research. They not only help undergraduate and graduate students develop the ability to critically analyze and thematically synthesize all significant aspects of the past but they also assist them to be familiar with various theoretical approaches to historical research and writing. Historians at Sungkyunkwan are especially interested in developing students’ academic abilities to produce original works on history by integrating interdisciplinary approaches into the study of history.
Thanks to the efforts of our students and faculty, the Department has maintained its excellent reputation in education and research.
Department in Detail
1. Educational Objectives
The History Department focuses on understanding how human beings led their lives in the past. By reading various kinds of historical records, you can try to communicate with people who lived in different eras, and students can increase their understanding of human beings in the process. Also, we emphasize the ability of students to think logically in the process of reading historical records. Overall, we hope students who go through the course of the History Department can be scholars who understand other people and contribute to common prosperity.
2. Courses and Curriculums
| Category | Core Major | General Major |
|---|---|---|
|
Students aiming for Learning |
Readings on Historical Records of Korean History, Readings on Historical Records of East Asian History, Readings on Historical Records of the Western History, Understanding Masterworks in the Historical Studies, Composition on the Historical Research Papers | Chinese History Part I, History of Japan, The Theory and Practice of History, Introduction to Archaeology, Ancient Korean History, Various Problems of Koryo Dynasty, History of the Chosun Dynasty, Korean Modern History, Problems over the Contemporary Korean History, Political History of the West, Social History of Chinese Culture, History of Nineteenth Century Europe, History of Women and Everyday Life In Western World, Society and Culture of Ancient Greece and Rome |
|
Students aiming for Professional Jobs |
Readings on Historical Records of Korean History, Readings on Historical Records of East Asian History, Readings on Historical Records of the Western History, Understanding Masterworks in the Historical Studies, Composition on the Historical Research Papers | Ancient Korean History, Various Problems of Koryo Dynasty, History of the Chosun Dynasty, Korean Modern History, Problems over the Contemporary Korean History, Chinese History Part I, Chinese History Part II, History of Japan, The Making of Medieval Europe, The Making of Modern Europe, Understanding of Contemporary Western History, Introduction to Archaeology, Methods of Archaeological Research, Korean Historiography |
|
Students aiming for Double Major |
Readings on Historical Records of Korean History, Readings on Historical Records of East Asian History, Readings on Historical Records of the Western History, Understanding Masterworks in the Historical Studies, Composition on the Historical Research Papers | Ancient Korean History, Various Problems of Koryo Dynasty, History of the Chosun Dynasty, Korean Modern History, Problems over the Contemporary Korean History, Chinese History Part I, Chinese History Part II, History of Japan, The Theory and Practice of History, The Making of Medieval Europe, The Making of Modern Europe, Understanding of Contemporary Western History, Introduction to Archaeology |
3. Specialty in Major
Korean History
- Students will deepen their understanding of Korean history from ancient to contemporary subject areas.
Oriental History
- Students will review Asian histories, especially focusing on China and Japan.
Western History
- Students will develop their perspectives on Western histories by understanding historical sources.
Archaeology
- Students will experience theoretical approaches and practical activity in archaeology.
Why Choose Us?
1. Reputation
The department was previously selected to be a part of the BK21 and BK21+ program. The standard of research we produce has improved due to this support. The department has also placed between 101-150th in the Departments of History internationally and 14-17th in Asia.
2. Student Society
Society of Historical Social Science
- Date : Twice a month during term-time
- Participant Target : Volunteers from the Department of History
- Program Overview: The goal of the society is to cultivate a methodical and scientific understanding of history through socio-scientific approaches to the problems of historical events. We also study the culture and history of the world, and also cultural theories and ideas. The best advantage of society is the fact that students can freely discuss and decide the study topics they want every semester. Previous topics were; 'The Age of Exploration', 'History of Jewelry', 'Homosexuality in History', 'History of Censorship' and so on.
Society of Oriental History
- Date: Twice a month during term-time
- Participant Target: Volunteers from the Department of History
- Program Overview: The society studies the history and the relationships of East Asian countries (Korea, China and Japan). The students choose from topics such as -'Coloial Modernity', 'The Face Reader', 'Wars and Cultures', 'The Right System of the Appointment of 9 levels of Government Officials'-in turn, state the topic and debate in a free, convenient atmosphere. Students who are interested in the overall history, its backgrounds, and the relationships among eastern countries, actively participate in these debates.
Society of Korean History
- Date: Twice a month during term-time
- Participant Target: Volunteers from the Department of History
- Program Overview: The society is for the student to deepen and share their thoughts on Korean history. Students choose from such topics as-‘Unification of Baekjae and Silla', ‘Park, Jeong-hee’, ‘Individuals and the Nation’, ‘Gwangju Democratization Movement’, ‘Korean-Japan Agreement’, ‘Donghak and Popular Culture’-and carry out debates.
Society of Archaeology and Anthropology
- Date : Twice every month
- Participant Target : Volunteers from the Department of History
- Program Overview : This society was created more than 20 years ago by students who were interested in anthropology and humanities. The students state and carry out seminars with topics on anthropology and humanities-'Problems of Construction of Lego Land in Chuncheon', 'IS's Destruction of Historical Remains', 'The Castle of Gung-ye in DMZ‘, 'The Underground City of Turkey', 'Shamanism', 'History of Nomads'-to accumulate knowledge. The students also explore exhibitions or historic sites, and hear the stories from graduates who work at museums or actually participate in discovering historical remains.
School Week
- Date : Every Tuesday and Thursday in March
- Participant Target : Freshmen of the Department of History
- Program Overview : The 'School Week' is where students introduce the student council and academic societies to the freshmen of the major. The members of the student council conduct the school week one by one in turn every Tuesday, and the four societies of the department carry out a debate on one topic all together, so the freshman students can experience how the societies work.
Academic Exploration of Historical Remains
- Date : Once a semester, for 3 days
- Participant Target : Volunteers from the Department of History
- Program Overview : We explore new historical remains students have never explored. In the evening we hold debates or recreations, where professors accompany and give feedback. This is a nice event to deviate from everyday life.
4. 19 Race
- Date : 19th April
- Participant Target : Volunteers from any department
- Program Overview : The race takes place from the school to the 4.19 national cemetery in Suyu-dong to commemorate the 4.19 revolution. Colleges of Confucian Studies and Eastern Philosophy, Education and Liberal Arts come together and walk/ run to the 4.19 national cemetery, and look back to the significance of the revolution.
Commemoration of Patriotic Martyrs
- Date : Once a year, in Spring
- Participant Target : Volunteers from the Department of History (Enrolled Students and Graduates)
- Program Overview : This commemoration is for our graduate student Lee Youn-Seong, who was sacrificed in a movement for democracy in 1980's. All students of SKKU who started school from 1970's until today participate in the commemoration and the elders tell about the stories longing for democracy back in 1980's.
Farmer-Student United Activity
- Date : 2 ~ 3 times a year (3 days during term-time, 8 days in breaks)
- Participant Target : Volunteers from the Department of History
- Program Overview : This activity takes place in spring and summer. Students volunteer on farms and have converse with farmers in the evening. Every student undertakes different roles in the activity, and performing those roles will enhance their responsibility. The meals are prepared by the students in turn, so they can learn about life in the community.
Games of Department of History-Philosophy (Sa-cheol jeon)
- Date : 1 - 2 times a year
- Participant Target : Students of Department of History
- Program Overview : This is a sports competition with the Department of Philosophy. The winner of soccer, dodge ball and relay takes the trophy. The games are intended to promote friendship between the two departments.
Festival of Department of History (Sahak jae)
- Date : Once a year
- Participant Target : Volunteers from Department of History (Enrolled Students and Graduates) and all SKKU students
- Program Overview : The programs of the festival consist of rituals, lectures of the graduates, history quiz, court of a historic figure and so on. The ritual is for the wellness of the department and the lecture is held to hear good words from graduates. Also, the history quiz helps to check the level of knowledge they have aquired so far. The best program of the festival is the court of a historical figure. Through the program, students take part in a trial about an historical figure. The students prepare all the clothing, props and scripts, and they also promote the program.
3. Support for Students
Various scholarships such as BK21+, Shimsan, and master’s-doctorate linked courses are avaliable. Graduate students are able to receive additional support when participating in overseas training and research projects.
There are 5 study groups, 7 seminar groups and 5 different workshops which professors and students take part in together for academic communication. A pre-selection system for graduate students helps to discover talented individuals who are ready for graduate school.