JEONBUK NATIONAL UNIVERSITY
Goals of the Department of Ethics Education
The Department of Ethics Education is dedicated to training middle and high school teachers who can help young people understand the history, cultural traditions, and social realities of our nation as citizens of a free democratic state. The department also aims to guide students in striving for self-realization and personal integrity, while fostering professional researchers who can explore solutions to moral and ethical issues arising in various areas of society through concrete theoretical analysis. To achieve these goals, the department emphasizes the study of basic theories of ethics, Korean ethical thought, Eastern and Western ethical traditions, as well as democratic ethics and unification ethics. In addition, it pursues more in-depth research and learning on contemporary moral issues. Through advanced curricular training, the department seeks to cultivate the professional competence required of outstanding secondary school ethics teachers.
Overview of the Department
The department was first established in 1981 under the name Department of National Ethics Education with an initial admission quota of 40 students. Following national teacher supply policies, the admission quota was reduced to 15 students in 1993. In 1997, the department’s name was changed to the Department of Ethics Education.
Distinctive Features and Strengths
The primary purpose of the Department of Ethics Education is to train specialized middle and high school teachers of morality and ethics. Ethics education, as an education of human norms in both understanding and practice, is ultimately directed toward cultivating the virtues necessary for young people to become responsible citizens of the community. To realize this mission, the department offers a well-structured curriculum and devotes significant attention to students’ personal development and career guidance through its faculty advising system. To support students preparing for the Secondary School Teacher Certification Examination, the department operates a study hall, maintains a well-stocked seminar room with major reference books and journals, and provides access to a wide range of online lectures. In addition, financial support is offered for the operation of student study groups. The department also organizes regular reading clubs in which both professors and students participate. These gatherings encourage broad humanistic reflection while also enhancing students’ essay-writing and critical discussion skills, which are essential for teacher certification examinations. Beyond academic study, students actively participate in departmental clubs such as Yullim and Logos, where they explore and debate diverse social and ethical issues, thereby strengthening their qualifications as professional ethics educators. Furthermore, the department conducts regular academic excursions to sites of Korean traditional philosophy, history, and culture. These excursions allow students to deepen their professional knowledge while cultivating broader cultural and historical awareness as future ethics teachers.