General Liberal Arts

The liberal arts education at Seoul Women’s University is meticulously crafted to nurture well-rounded individuals who not only harbor intellectual depth and cultural acumen grounded in ethical consciousness but also actively apply and disseminate these attributes. To realize this vision, we have delineated educational objectives that encompass a broad spectrum of perspectives, collaborative spirit, effective communication, active participation, and practical competencies. Additionally, we prioritize the refinement of fundamental skills such as writing, oratory, expressive capability, and digital literacy—integral requisites in the era of the 4th Industrial Revolution.

Our liberal arts curriculum is strategically designed to foster positive mental health and holistic well-being among students while inspiring them to contribute meaningfully to their communities. It is structured to facilitate experiential learning and the pragmatic application of acquired knowledge, with a keen emphasis on nurturing individuals capable of finding fulfillment while addressing societal exigencies and effecting meaningful change. Simultaneously, the liberal arts college is steadfast in its commitment to bolstering four core competencies: "creative problem-solving," "global citizenship," "emotional intelligence," and "digital literacy." Through the cultivation of these competencies, our aim is to cultivate professionals endowed with emotional acuity, a collaborative ethos, and a deep-seated dedication to social accountability, thereby fostering a culture of community involvement and societal progress.

General English

The General English program at Seoul Women’s University is meticulously structured to immerse students in English-speaking environments, with all classes conducted exclusively in English, adhering to the fundamental principle of "learning English through English." This pedagogical approach is tailored to foster an environment where students can fully engage in the process of English language acquisition. By employing English as the primary medium of instruction, our objective is to provide ample opportunities for students to interact with the language. This immersive methodology ensures that students receive optimal language exposure, enabling them to focus on content rather than linguistic mechanics. As a result, students naturally enhance proficiency across all four language skills: listening, speaking, writing, and reading.

To uphold the efficacy of this approach, the General English program maintains small class size, capped at a maximum of 25 students. Upon program entry, students undergo a proficiency assessment via a freshman-level test, which facilitates their placement in the appropriate classes within the College English (Listening & Speaking) course. A personalized learning road-map guides students through General English courses aligned with their proficiency levels throughout their four-year academic journey. Furthermore, the program integrates the SWU English honor rating system to incentivize student progress. Through this framework, students are inspired to advance from intermediate to advanced proficiency tiers, earning recognition for their linguistic accomplishments along the way.

Bahrom Character Education

Bahrom Character Education is Seoul Women’s University's distinctive community-based living learning curriculum, established to foster female leaders characterized by intelligence, virtue, and skills rooted in the Christian spirit—the educational ethos of SWU. Originating from the vision of Dr. Goh Hwang-Kyung, the university's inaugural president, this initiative was initially known as 'Living Learning Community Education'. It underwent a name change to 'Bahrom Education' in 1992, and later evolved into 'Bahrom Character Education' in 2011.

Living Learning Community Education (LLCE) was conceived to fulfill the original mission of 'whole person education', countering the predominant focus on cognitive knowledge in Korean schooling, particularly within universities. LLCE places emphasis on practical application, aiming for transformative societal impact through the thorough digestion of acquired knowledge. Implementing comprehensive education of this nature necessitates a commitment to continuous learning. The university advocates for a 24-hour educational model, wherein students engage in structured learning from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., focusing on absorbing knowledge through lectures and experiments—thus nurturing intellectual development. Outside these hours, students reside together, whether in formal living quarters or beyond, engaging in self-discovery through interactions with peers and using their acquired knowledge to refine their personal attributes. (Excerpted from The Traces of Walking Ten Years of Living Learning Education)

SWU is committed to nurturing women as societal leaders capable of contributing not only within the home but also on a national and societal scale. This goal is pursued through a holistic education that strives to develop intelligence, virtues, and skills, thus shaping individuals into well-rounded personalities. LLCE, now known as Bahrom Character Education, was specifically crafted to instill a lifelong commitment to practice in alignment with this distinct educational ideology. Recognizing that authentic leadership extends beyond theoretical knowledge to practical application, LLCE is designed to foster students' confidence and sense of responsibility through rigorous awareness and training, enabling them to lead by example and inspire others. (Excerpted from 36-Year Long History of Living Learning Education)

The objective of the current Bahrom Character Education program is to cultivate proactive individuals with a strong sense of global citizenship, a crucial attribute in today's era, capable of fostering community harmony and leading positive change. As a mandatory component of the general education curriculum, Bahrom Character Education comprises two courses: Bahrom Character Education (1 credit), which involves a living learning community program where students engage in collaborative learning and living experiences, and Bahrom Capstone Design Project (2 credits), where students act as change agents to address social issues for sustainable development. Additionally, an Advanced Bahrom Character course (non-degree) is offered to nurture female leaders who embody the philosophy and educational principles of Bahrom Character Education. Through these integrated curricula, SWU aims to develop individuals with global citizenship, equipped with clear goals, visionary leadership abilities, creative problem-solving skills, and a commitment to actively engage in addressing societal challenges.