Department

The Department of History at Jeonbuk National University was established alongside the founding of the University. Beginning with the announcement of student admissions on December 3, 1951, the Department has grown into one of the nation’s leading history programs, now boasting over six decades of distinguished achievements in both research and education. As of 2019, the Department is staffed by nine full-time faculty members specializing in Korean, East Asian, and Western history. In addition to their academic research, faculty actively support student-led initiatives such as academic societies and historical fieldwork programs.
Our alumni have advanced into diverse sectors of society and continue to make meaningful contributions in their respective fields. In an era where a deeper understanding of history is increasingly essential for interpreting the present and shaping a desirable future, the Department is committed to fostering a systematic and comprehensive understanding of history while cultivating sound historical awareness that contributes to societal development.

The Department maintains a resource center housing over 6,000 volumes of history-related books and approximately 500 audiovisual materials. In addition to its own collection, the center includes donated materials from faculty members and academic journals from various historical associations. These resources are readily accessible to all students in the Department.

The Department organizes annual field study programs (both domestic and international) for undergraduate students. These programs provide valuable opportunities for immersive, on-site learning experiences at historical sites.

The Department offers a variety of study groups, including Korean history, East Asian history, Western history, digital content, and classical Chinese, all of which are directly supervised by faculty members. In addition, a range of student clubs and study groups—such as soccer and volleyball—are actively organized and operated. Through voluntary participation and student-led initiatives, these activities foster a strong sense of community while contributing to students’ academic development and personal growth.

Each year, the Department invites distinguished alumni working across diverse professions to participate in networking sessions and career mentoring programs with current students.

The Department of History is broadly divided into three fields: Korean History, East Asian History, and Western History. Each field is led by distinguished faculty members who provide specialized curricula, engaging lectures, and in-depth academic training to cultivate students’ analytical perspectives on history.

Ancient Korean History; Goryeo Dynasty History; Early and Late Joseon History; Modern and Contemporary Korean History; Korean Foreign Relations History; Historiography of Korea; Issues in Korea–Japan Relations; Readings in Korean History; Honam Regional History; Korean Intellectual History; Socioeconomic History of Korea; Everyday Life and Archival Culture

History and Culture of East Asia; Southeast Asian History and Culture; Ancient Chinese Civilization; Medieval Chinese History; Early Modern Chinese History; Modern Chinese Politics and Society; Contemporary Chinese Political History; Chinese Socioeconomic History; Chinese Intellectual History; Religion and Culture of the East; Readings in East Asian Historical Sources

Ancient Near Eastern History and Culture; Ancient Western History; Medieval European History; Early Modern Western History; Modern Western History; History of Western Civilization; Women’s History in the West; American History and Culture; Global History and Globalization; U.S. Political and Diplomatic History; Readings in Western History in English I & II; Introduction to Historical Studies

The curriculum is structured to help students understand historical developments chronologically while also stimulating interest through thematic courses. It emphasizes regional history, particularly local (Honam) history, and enhances students’ proficiency in classical Chinese and English through intensive reading courses.

raduates of the Department pursue careers in a wide range of fields, including education, culture and the arts, media, research institutes, and the corporate sector. In today’s rapidly changing global environment, there is increasing demand for highly skilled professionals equipped with both strong language abilities and a deep historical perspective. Students who successfully complete the program will be well prepared to excel as scholars and professionals in various sectors of society.

Students who complete the teacher certification program during their undergraduate studies are eligible to obtain a Level-2 Secondary School Teacher Certification (History) and pursue careers in education.

With a background in history, graduates may advance into careers such as museum curators and researchers, cultural heritage specialists in local governments, officials at the Cultural Heritage Administration, researchers at the National Institute of Korean History, public information officers in cultural affairs, archivists, and other civil service positions.