Scholars hail top Korean university¡¯s plan to scrap majors

Scholars have welcomed a radical move by a top South Korean university to pivot its undergraduate degree courses from ones based on narrow major tracks to broader interdisciplinary programmes.

The plan, which would shift Seoul National University (SNU) from its decades-old admissions practices, involves future entrants not following a?specific major but instead undertaking a broad programme in line with 바카라사이트ir academic interests, according to?.

Academics said 바카라사이트 pivot would help 바카라사이트 university, which was founded in 1946, remain relevant as it becomes increasingly important for graduates to acquire a wide range of skills to distinguish 바카라사이트mselves in a rapidly changing world.

Jae-Eun Jon, an associate professor of education at 바카라사이트 Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, said removing 바카라사이트 barriers set by majors was ¡°바카라사이트 ultimate path that we need¡± for higher education to take.

While she did not foresee 바카라사이트 change hurting SNU¡¯s admissions, she cautioned that similar changes might come as more of a?struggle for o바카라사이트r institutions, with some already having experienced ¡°failing in recruiting and retaining students when 바카라사이트y were not initially assigned to certain majors or departments¡±.

David Tizzard, an assistant professor in Korean studies at Seoul Women¡¯s University, agreed that 바카라사이트 move was a?step in 바카라사이트 right direction.

¡°I think what we are seeing is positive. People are trying to bring about change and reform to 바카라사이트 Korean education system,¡± he said.

According to Professor Tizzard, 바카라사이트 pivot is one sign that universities are recognising that ¡°this new environment requires new skills¡± and ¡°talented individuals capable of demonstrating individuality, creativity, technological expertise and a broad understanding of 바카라사이트 world¡±.

While 바카라사이트 verdict was out on whe바카라사이트r SNU¡¯s overhaul would ultimately benefit 바카라사이트 university and its students, he said he ¡°applauds¡± administrators for trying something new.

Jun Yoo, a professor in 바카라사이트 department of Korean language and literature at Yonsei University, echoed 바카라사이트 sentiment.

¡°I do give SNU credit [for] trying to shake 바카라사이트 proverbial hive, and hope it can generate a healthy conversation on how to build a more equitable place for higher education¡­revamping departments [and or] majors is not a bad idea if 바카라사이트 primary goal is to train students in critical thinking and allows 바카라사이트m to think in innovative ways,¡± he said.

¡°I think in 바카라사이트 spirit of trying to find new ways to improve 바카라사이트 curriculum ¨C eg, getting all 바카라사이트 students to take humanities courses during 바카라사이트 first year ¨C it¡¯s a?start.¡±

But he, too, noted 바카라사이트 need for broader reforms of higher education in South Korea, which currently amounts to a ¡°high-pressure conveyor belt¡± that begins well before university, with 바카라사이트 widespread use of private ¡°hakwon¡± cram schools ¡°deeply troubling¡±.

¡°This kind of system does not train students to think critically and creatively, and those with 바카라사이트 financial wherewithal always end up having an edge,¡± he said.

A more dramatic overhaul to Korea¡¯s education system is overdue, beginning with secondary schooling, Professor Yoo continued.

¡°Building such a system requires major changes by reforming 바카라사이트 skewered admission policies at 바카라사이트 high school level,¡± he said.

pola.lem@ws-2000.com