Publications
Department of Intangible Cultural Heritage Studies, Korea National Universiti of Culture Heritage Overview and Objectives of a Technology Culture Focused Curriculum
-
Manage No DI00000752 Country Republic of Korea Author Gong-ho Choi (Korea National University of Cultural Heritage, Republic of Korea) Published Year 2018 Language English Copyright 
Attach File Preview (ENG)
| Description | 1. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF INTANGIBLE HERITAGE Interest in intangible heritage has been growing exponentially both in Korea and around the world recently. The focus on tangible culture in the past had been like viewing the world with just one eye. The expansion of demand for intangible cultural products and accumulated challenges speak for the urgency in developing professionals in related fields. The study of intangible heritage connects to the core values of the entire cultural heritage field, like a compass for navigating the ocean. While tangible heritage took place in the past tense, intangible heritage is taking place now, in the present tense. The driving force that created some of the world’s most prestigious products and brands also lies in the realm of intangible heritage. Unlike tangible heritage, intangible heritage is a part of history that continues to live in the present, as long as its transmission continues. Handicraft technologies make up an important part of heritage in Korea, with majority of artifacts in museums being handicraft items. I believe the same applies to other countries as well. However, the study of handicraft technologies in intangible heritage studies has been limited so far. 2. PROCESS OF ESTABLISHMENT AND OBJECTIVES The Dept. of Intangible Cultural Heritage Studies at our university was established in March 2017. Tangible heritage is the focus of majority of the 6 majors at our university, established by the Cultural Heritage Administration as a special purpose university. Only the curriculum of the Department of Intangible Cultural Heritage Studies is focused on handicraft technologies. There hasn’t been a department in any Korean university dedicated to the study of handicraft technologies. Even with the history of intangible heritage policy in Korea reaching 60 years, even with the establishment of the National Intangible Heritage Center, we have failed to produce skilled professionals in the field. There is a pressing need to train people for the field. As the nation’s only department of intangible cultural heritage studies, we aim to fulfill this historical mission. 3. COMPOSITION OF THE CURRICULUM The curriculum has been organized into three organically interconnected tracks- academic research, policy research and cultural planning, corresponding to demand in the field of intangible heritage. Undergraduate students are required to take 140 credits to graduates, with 72 credits in their major, 32 liberal arts credits and 68 field practice credits. This includes the basic and shared courses of “Intangible Cultural Heritage in the World”, “History of Korean Art 1 & 2”, “History of Traditional Lifestyle and" | ||
|---|---|---|---|