About the History Department

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  Since its establishment in 1955, the Department of History has taken various approaches in an attempt to provide an education that explores the lives of human beings throughout history, irrespective of country or period, with a view to nurturing future citizens and leaders.

  From its earliest days, the History Department has also strived to cultivate individuals well-suited to the era of globalization. As part of these efforts, our faculty have co-authored the series Understanding Korean History, which looks at Korean history from the perspective of world history, and have organized English-language lectures such as Pre-modern History of Korea and Modern History of Korea.

  The Department’s achievements since 2013 include major grants as part of the Ewha Global Top 5 Project, the Promising Majors Project and the BK21 Plus Project from the National Research Foundation of Korea. The Department’s BK21 Plus Project Team is especially focused on developing theoretical frameworks and research methods for promoting a decentralized East Asian history and cultivating creative global next-generation researchers towards our goal of nurturing “specialists in East Asian history for a future built on coexistence.”The Department's achievements since 2013 include major grants as part of the Ewha Global Top 5 Project, the Ewha Grant for Department Development and the BK21 Plus Project from the National Research Foundation of Korea. The Department’s BK21 Plus Project Team is especially focused on developing theoretical frameworks and research methods for promoting a decentralized East Asian history and cultivating creative global next-generation researchers towards our goal of nurturing specialists in East Asian history for a future built on coexistence. The Department's achievements since 2013 include major grants as part of the Ewha Global Top 5 Project, the Ewha Grant for Department Development and the BK21 Plus Project from the National Research Foundation of Korea. The Department’s BK21 Plus Project Team is especially focused on developing theoretical frameworks and research methods for promoting a decentralized East Asian history and cultivating creative global next-generation researchers towards our goal of nurturing specialists in East Asian history for a future built on coexistence.To this end, we have strengthened our East Asia-related course offerings included in the regular undergraduate program, while also adding English-language lectures such as ‘Comparative Study in Korean & Asian History’ and independent extracurricular programs including ‘Reading Classical Chinese’ and ‘Latin Courses’. For graduate students, we offer opportunities for scholarships and overseas study. Also in the graduate program, we have added new courses such as ‘East Asian Research Methodology’, ‘Special Lectures on East Asia’, and ‘East Asian Studies’ and we also provide training on research methods to promote a “decentralized East Asian history”.

  The History Department operates various overseas exchange programs for students including field survey programs in Italy, which once linked Asia and Europe through Mediterranean trade, as well as in Japan and in China to give students hands-on field experience with Japanese and Chinese history. In addition, we promote international exchanges through workshops with undergraduate and graduate students from the University of Hong Kong, Shanghai International Studies University in China, and Keio University in Japan to help students develop an international perspective while broadening their networks.

  At the same time, our students are building the foundations for stronger bonds among themselves, from first-years to seniors, as well as for scholarly research, through student-led activities including student council, field surveys of cultural heritage sites, publication of the department newsletter Sa-hak-i-oand academic symposiums and seminars.

 

 

  Our graduates enter various fields on the basis of the broad-ranging knowledge and the critical thinking ability they have nurtured through the study of history. Armed with historical perspective and insight into current global trends, creativity and a sense of duty to respond to future changes in society, many of our alumnae are reporters, producers, writers, university professors and researchers at museums or research institutes such as the National Institute of Korean History. In addition, many graduates have entered publishing companies, corporations and banks, or are working as lawyers, accountants, and government officials. In every sector of society, many of our graduates emphasize that the knowledge, ability, and sense of history that are cultivated through the study of history have been their most useful resources.

Major Activities

(1) Selected as one of Ewha’s Most Promising Majors in 2015 (Mar.2015Feb.2018)

  In 2015, History was selected as one of the university’s most promising majors along with Chinese Language & Literature. The History Department co-hosts international workshops with foreign universities once a year and fully covers the cost of participation for selected undergraduate and graduate students. In addition, we invite eminent foreign scholars to deliver special lectures and host international academic conferences to help students understand current trends in the academic field of history.

 

(2) BK21 Plus Project (Aug.2013–Aug.2020)

  Our History major was selected by the National Research Foundation of Korea for the BK21 Plus Project Team in 2013, allowing us to receive a grant of 200 million won annually for seven years. The BK21 Plus Project Team aims to nurture “specialists in East Asian history for a future built on coexistence” and operates globalization programs and research support programs for participating graduate students. Through these programs, the Department supports scholarships, short- and long-term overseas training, collection of historical data, and international academic conferences for graduate students in master's and doctoral programs.

 

(3) International Exchanges

  As part of our student exchange program for undergraduate and graduate students, we provide doctoral students the opportunity to conduct overseas research for their dissertations. And under the Promising Majors Project and the BK21 Plus Project, the Department also provides support for undergraduates and graduate students participating in international workshops, and actively promotes academic exchanges including special lectures by leading scholars from around the world.

 

(4) Various Activities

  The Department conducts two regular field surveys (spring and fall) each year to broaden students’ horizons as historians by giving them a chance to examine historical sites and cultural assets in person. It also holds academic symposiums to enhance students’ academic research capabilities. Moreover, special lectures on Classical Chinese, Latin, and English are available to help students strengthen their academic foundations.

  In addition, alumnae working in many different sectors of society are invited to provide advice on career development. The History Department strives to provide diverse and realistic support programs for students preparing for employment.

 

(5) Affiliated Research Institute - Ewha Institute of History

  Founded in December 1963 as a research institute affiliated with the History Department, the Ewha Institute of History serves as a venue for enabling graduates to continue their historical research activities. At the same time, the Institute contributes not only to academia but to society as a whole through its efforts to revitalize historical research by introducing new research methods. In close cooperation with the History Department, the Ewha Institute of History contributes to young scholars’ academic development through information exchanges with domestic and foreign academic societies and participation in academic conferences. In addition, it remains dedicated to opening classes for non-majors and the public to encourage the study of history.

  The Ewha Institute of History publishes Ewha Sahak Yeongu, which is registered at the National Research Foundation of Korea in June and December each year. Ewha Sahak Yeongu publishes history-related articles on topics such as Korean history, Asian history, Western history, historical theory, archaeology, art history, and history of science.

Affiliated Research Institutes

  The Institute of World and Global History was established as a research institute under the direct authority of Ewha’s central administration on December 1, 2008, following its selection for the “World-Class Research University (WCU) Project.” The Institute aims to provide historical research and education from a global perspective; contribute to the development of historical awareness in line with the era of globalization, while also promoting leadership and the cultivation of character among citizens of the international community; and to create academic and human networks necessary to nurture such capabilities. To this end, the Institute will continue to critically examine domestic research trends on world history, which still have not broken free from Eurocentrism, while encouraging new research and discussion on world history and planet Earth itself from a global perspective. Furthermore, it will actively cultivate professional researchers who can take charge of these tasks.

  In addition, it will offer a lecture and training program for students and educators to help overturn existing preconceptions, both historical and social, that alienate various regions of the world on the basis of Eurocentric or nationalistic perspectives on history. The Institute will also implement education to cultivate cultural flexibility and tolerance to recognize citizens of the world community as equal partners in history. Furthermore, it will hold international conferences and colloquia on a regular basis to establish networks with domestic and international scholars and educators in diverse disciplines, and continue ongoing exchanges of information and joint research through such networks.

  The Institute’s comprehensive efforts will stimulate discussion at the societal level on contemporary global issues, such as endless competition imposed by the international economic system, ecological problems including global warming, and the rise of multicultural families, and hopefully will contribute to finding ways to address those issues.

Introduction

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