Theoretical Implications of Cosmopolitanism and Korean Textbooks Analysis

Abstract

In an era of diversity and conflicts, we need to consider cosmopolitanism which has important lessons for all mankind beyond multiculturalism. Cosmopolitanism includes norms and ethics that transcend national and cultural barriers. On the other hand, multiculturalism draws a line between cultures to create differences that lead to unique identity. However, the Korean social studies textbooks just focus on multiculturalism and do not cover cosmopolitanism in detail. This study investigates approaches to cosmopolitanism using literature analysis and analyzes textbooks being used in Korean schools—elementary, middle, and high schools—by contents analysis. I suggest that textbooks should cover various approaches on cosmopolitanism beyond fragmentary concepts of cosmopolitanism and also beyond the multiculturalism. I will discuss four theoretical approaches —moral, strong, weak, and rooted cosmopolitanism— and how these concepts of cosmopolitanism are explained in South Korea’s textbooks. The article argues that the textbooks on cosmopolitanism in South Korea have limited range of cosmopolitanism and fail to provide students with more balanced and comprehensive perspectives.



Author Information
Seoungin Choi, Hanyang University, South Korea

Paper Information
Conference: GLOBAL2017
Stream: Politics/ political Studies/ Political Sciences

This paper is part of the GLOBAL2017 Conference Proceedings (View)
Full Paper
View / Download the full paper in a new tab/window


Comments & Feedback

Place a comment using your LinkedIn profile

Comments

Share on activity feed

Powered by WP LinkPress

Share this Research

Posted by James Alexander Gordon