1. Truth Scholarship Program
(Headquarters/College/Department Plan)
1) The Truth Scholarship Program supports the development of competence not otherwise included in the current curriculum. Accordingly, it includes areas and skills differentiated from existing regular and external curricula.
2) To ensure qualitative program enhancement, principal agents of the proposition (especially full-time faculty) directly participate in managing the program. Part of the education offered can be given by external personnel or organizations when necessary, but sufficient basis is provided in such cases.
3) To foster student initiative, the program aims to encourage voluntary student participation and specific activities.
4) Continuous evaluation is included to enhance the competitiveness of the student participants. Particularly, intensive education is provided to students who demonstrate outstanding performance based on the interim evaluation.
2. Department of Sociology Truth Scholarship Program:
Reading and Discussion of Sociology Works
* Program Type : ■ Education □ Research □ Activity
- 1) Program Requirements and Purpose
- The program aims to foster knowledge about the major applied fields of sociology and provide opportunities for participants to explore their particular areas of interest through textual exposition of the major academic works in five areas: history, politics, economy, society, and culture. After textual exposition, the program provides opportunities for participants to engage in discussions based on their understanding of the texts, through which they establish their own perspective of the relevant field and practice logical expression of their views.
- The program provides opportunities to learn some of the texts excluded, due to the sheer quantity and their relatively high level of difficulty, from the regular curriculum. Through such works, the program introduces intellectual concerns shared by the community of sociologists from different fields and their various attempts to resolve diverse issues. Also, by providing a forum for in-depth discussion, which can be difficult to experience in the regular curriculum, participants have the opportunity to develop, through analytical thinking, and express academically their specific focus.
- 2) Program Objectives
- This program introduces the major trajectory and issues of the five areas of sociology (history, politics, economy, society, and culture) upon which participants understand the intellectual context of their area of interest and integrate it with their own focus. Through this process, the objective of the program is for participants to strengthen their academic foundation in their relevant areas of interest and construct their own perspectives.
- In the process of pursuing such objective, program participants develop both academic competence and the practical ability to apply such competence in specific situations. Also, formal discussion enables participants to opine freely, thereby enhancing their critical thinking skills and fostering an attitude of mutual respect.
- 3) Program Overview
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A. Contents
Students participating in the program read selected writings from each field, independently establish their own critical perspective, and share and discuss the reading experience as training in reasoning and expression. The texts and discussion are selected jointly from among the recommended books to reflect student input and interest. Department of Sociology faculty offers guidance to students when necessary. Also, full-time department faculty members or doctoral-level researchers in the relevant field provide 2-3 special lectures or conferences and encourage Q&A sessions. Their involvement helps stir student motivation and their acquisition of academic knowledge. Moderators are involved to ensure smooth conduct of discussions and devise productive agendas. For the convenience of participants, conferences are held on weekday afternoons in room 401, Korea University College of Liberal Arts Building (Seokwan).
B. Participants/Quota
The program is primarily designed for undergraduate students enrolled in the Department of Sociology who desire in-depth understanding of the various branches of sociology. There are no eligibility restrictions as to gender or academic achievement. However, to conduct formal in-depth discussion, the quota is 10 students. In the process of program implementation, the size of the program may be adjusted based on applicant number and environment regarding textual exposition and discussion.
C. Student Selection Methods
The program is advertised through various possible routes to recruit interested students, and students are selected on the basis of their statement of purpose. Planned advertisement channels include the Department’s official website, SNS accounts, and classrooms of faculty members in agreement with the purpose of the program.
- 4) Evaluation Plan for Program Outcome and Effect
- The planned final output of this program is an individual project that participating students compose. First, at the end of the program, participants chose one issue among the major topics of the areas discussed in the program, and submit, as the final output, an individual project that entails integrating knowledge pedigree and personal perception. Second, participants state their opinion regarding options to expand the effects of the program when attending a specific course by connecting the issue they had selected for their final project with department courses. Third, participants complete a survey regarding benefits and suggest program improvement and provide further suggestions. The director of the program assesses program effectiveness and ultimately evaluates students (Pass/Fail) based on attendance and final output.