A Case Study on ‘Global Citizen Education and Leadership’ a Liberal Arts Course Based on Sustainable Development Goals - Findings from Focus Group Interviews

Kim, Kyoung-A

Korean Journal of General Education 2018;12(3):255-277.
Published online June 30, 2018.

Kyoung-A Kim

지속가능개발목표(SDGs)에 기반한 ‘세계시민교육과 리더십’ 교양교과목의 사례 연구

김경아

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of a course subject, created to promote personal growth as well as the traits required of a global citizen, was subjected to verification. In turn, this investigation would lead to a discussion on the implications and possibilities of cultivating future global leaders. The subjects of this study were participants of ‘Global Citizen Education and Leadership’, a mandatory liberal arts course in S Women’s University. To extract data of detail and depth, the study implemented four series of focus group interview(FGI) on a total of 16 students who took the course throughout the first and second semester of 2017. These students were in their freshmen year, sampled from a wide scope of majors. Necessary procedures were taken to prevent ethical breaches from study participants, and all data were categorized through a process of transcription. As a result of the study, a total of 8 subcategories with 31 concepts were derived from 3 areas of categories, including understanding of the course and its system, expanding the positive understanding of one’s self and others, and cultivating global citizenship. Conclusively, the participants of the course experienced an elevation of attachment and a sense of belonging to the school, providing a positive assessment of the lecturer and of the course management system. In addition, the participation of the course proved to have been a momentum for serious reflection on the students’ pasts and futures. Finally, it was verified that the course had improved awareness of global issues and of the means to attain information. Also, it provided sufficient motivation to change patterns of behavior to befit that of a global citizen. It can be concluded that the course subject proposed by this study provided a timely shift in paradigm for freshmen students to grow as mature human beings. Furthermore, it contributed to the incorporation of a sense of duty as global citizens, providing even more room for growth to students.

Key Words: self-reflection, leadership, global citizen education, general education class, FGI