South Korea High School Curriculum - Integrated Social Studies

This course integrates elements of geography, general society, ethics, and history. It was introduced as a compulsory subject for first-year high school students starting in 2018 as part of the 2015 revised curriculum. The curriculum aims to develop integrated thinking skills necessary for navigating complex social issues. The course is divided into nine units, covering a range of topics. While the 2022 curriculum revision exists, detailed information on its content is limited in English sources. The following information is based on the 2015 revised curriculum, which provides the most comprehensive overview available.

I. Understanding Life and Environment

• I. Human, Society, Environment, and Happiness: This unit introduces the concept of integrated thinking and explores the meaning of happiness as the purpose of life. It examines the conditions for happiness, including a high-quality living environment, economic stability, democratic development, and moral practice.
• II. Natural Environment and Human: This unit investigates the relationship between the natural environment and human life, exploring different perspectives on nature and examining environmental issues. It also discusses efforts by governments, civil society, and companies to address these issues.
• III. Living Space and Society: This unit focuses on the changes in living spaces and lifestyles brought about by urbanization, industrialization, and informatization. It encourages students to identify problems arising from these changes and propose solutions.

II. People and Community

• IV. Human Rights Guarantee and Constitution: This unit explores the concept of human rights, their historical development, and their guarantee within the framework of the constitution. It also examines current human rights issues, both domestically and globally.
• V. Market Economy and Finance: This unit provides an overview of the market economy, including concepts like rational choice, entrepreneurship, and the international division of labor. It also covers personal finance and asset management.
• VI. Social Justice and Inequality: This unit delves into the meaning of justice and different conceptions of it. It examines social and spatial inequalities and explores ways to create a more just society.

III. Social Change and Coexistence

• VII. Culture and Diversity: This unit explores the characteristics of various cultures and the significance of cultural diversity. It discusses cultural change, cultural relativism, and the challenges of living in a multicultural society.
• VIII. Globalization and Peace: This unit examines the various aspects of globalization and its impact on the world. It also discusses international conflicts and cooperation, emphasizing the importance of peace. Specifically, it addresses the division of Korea and historical conflicts in East Asia.
• IX. Future and Sustainable Life: This unit focuses on population issues, sustainable development, and future life directions. It encourages students to analyze global resource distribution and consumption and to consider individual and institutional measures for a sustainable future.

There are criticisms of the Integrated Social Studies curriculum, particularly regarding its implementation and the preparedness of teachers to effectively deliver the integrated content. Some educators have noted the difficulty in fostering convergent thinking when teachers specialize in different subject areas. Additionally, the curriculum has been described as too basic and similar to middle school social studies.