Remarks on the Status of Professors in Charge of General Education at Universities and its Improvement Direction

Nam, Jin-Sook

Korean Journal of General Education 2018;12(4):285-309.
Published online August 30, 2018.

Jin-Sook Nam

각 대학 교양교육 전담교수 위상 및 개선 방향

남진숙

Abstract

The status and treatment of professors in charge of general education are low and poor reality compared to the importance of general education. In this study, I surveyed professors who are responsible for general education at 27 universities across the country and analyzed 17 detail items such as basic information, treatment, lecture and research conditions, and other items. Based on the results of the survey, this paper analyzed the present condition of the curriculum for general education and suggested the improvement direction. The main results of the survey show that the status of professors in charge of general education is about 92 percent of non-tenure track. In relation to treatment, about 66.6 percent of universities earn less than 40 million won per year. This situation is not different for large and medium sized universities in Seoul, as well as those in other province. In addition, the professors in charge of general education have rarely become the subject of decision on general education. Also, problems regarding treatment and status are found in research conditions and various categories(see the result of each item in the text of the paper). As a result, this situation is likely to weaken the position of the professors in charge of general education and ultimately cause fundamental problems such as the direction and quality of general education at universities. Therefore, the fundamental improvement in the Education Ministry’s approval rate for nontenure track professors should be made. In addition, there should be a positive role of Korea National Institute for General Education and a change of perception of school authorities. Above all, it is necessary to communicate with and continuously resolve issues with each school members. In this paper, it is meaningful that the actual treatment and status of professors in charge of general education are investigated and the results are made public in the field of learning through empirical data.

Key Words: general education, lecture professor, non-tenure track treatment, Korea National Institute for General Education, Education Ministry’s approval rate