Eastern Philosophy

"Eastern Philosophy at Seoul National University offers a comprehensive and in-depth exploration of philosophical traditions originating from East Asia, including Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Indian, and Southeast Asian schools of thought. This program aims to cultivate students' understanding of the historical development, core concepts, and cultural significance of various Eastern philosophical systems such as Confucianism, Daoism, Buddhism, and Hindu philosophy. Students will engage with classical texts and contemporary interpretations through rigorous coursework, seminars, and research projects under the guidance of renowned scholars in the field. The curriculum emphasizes critical thinking, cross-cultural analysis, and philosophical inquiry, enabling students to appreciate the influence of Eastern philosophies on modern societies, ethical systems, and global cultural exchange. Coursework includes language studies, textual analysis, historical contexts, and comparative philosophy, providing a well-rounded academic foundation. The program is designed for students interested in philosophy, Asian studies, religion, history, and related disciplines, offering opportunities for academic research, international exchange, and publications. Graduates will be prepared for careers in academia, cultural institutions, NGOs, government agencies, or further graduate studies. Through a multidisciplinary approach, students will gain a nuanced understanding of the philosophical ideas that have shaped Asian civilizations and continue to influence contemporary thought. The program fosters an environment of intellectual curiosity, intercultural dialogue, and scholarly excellence, dedicated to promoting a deep appreciation of Eastern philosophical traditions and their relevance in the modern world."

General Education:

• Logic and Critical Thinking
• Understanding Western Philosophy
• Understanding Asian Philosophy
• Modern Society and Ethics
• Understanding Korean Philosophy
• Philosophy in Historical Content
• Introduction to Philosophy
• Bio-Medical Ethics
• Understanding Social Philosophy
• Classics in Oriental Philosophy
• Critical Understanding of Scientific Reasoning
• Philosophical Understanding of Science
• Philosophy of Gender and Sexual Morality
• Computer and Mind
• Logic
• Chinese Classics and Chinese Thought
• Moral Reasoning
• Law and Values
• Buddhist Philosophy

Major Courses:

• Indian and Buddhist Philosophy
• Ancient Western Philosophy
• Ancient Chinese Philosophy
• History of Korean Philosophy
• Symbolic Logic
• Logic for Teaching Philosophy
• Theories of Teaching Philosophy
• Materials and Methods in Teaching Philosophy
• Ethics
• Social Philosophy
• Epistemology
• Korean Buddhist Philosophy
• Modern Western Philosophy
• Medieval Western Philosophy
• Philosophy of Language
• Existentialism
• Contemporary French Philosophy
• Phenomenology
• Topics in Buddhist Philosophy
• Topics in the Hundred Schools
• Topics in Neo-Confucian Philosophy
• Modern and Contemporary Chinese Philosophy
• Neo-Confucianism in Song and Ming Dynasties
• Topics in Ancient and Medieval Western Philosophy
• Topics in Contemporary Western Philosophy
• Philosophy of Science
• Philosophy of Mind
• Topics in Social Philosophy
• Metaphysics
• Topics in Ethics
• Studies in Western Modern Philosophy
• Philosophy of Culture
• Taoist Philosophy
• Philosophy of History

1. Online
   application
2. 
   proof
   of
   Korean
   
   proficiency
   is
   required;
   
   
   
   
   1)
   Korean
   Proficiency:
   TOPIK
   level
   3
   or
   higher
   
   
   
   
   2)
   Other
   official
   documents
   indicating
   proof
   of
   language
   proficiency (ie.
   SNU
   Korean
   Language
   Center
   Level
   4
   or
   higher)
3. Personal
   Statement
   and
   Study
   Plan
4. Letter
   of
   Recommendation
5. Counselor
   Reference
   
6. Official
   High
   School
   Transcript
   and
   Graduation
   Certificate
7. A
   Copy
   of
   the
   Applicant’s
   Passport
8. Certificate
   of
   Facts
   concerning
   the
   Entry
   and
   Exit
9. Portfolio,
   Records
   of
   Achievement,
   etc.
10. Agreement
    for
    Verification
    of
    Academic
    Record

If you wish to apply for the scholarship program, please fill out the scholarship application form every semester. Application period:

• During November(1st semester)
• During May(2nd semester)

New  Student (Merit scholarship)

• Funding: Fully funded or partially funded (admission fee + tuition 10%)
• Eligibility: New undergraduate student (Full fund – 2 by college (excluding science and engineering);

Partial fund – selected within the 30% of the registered students)

Current Student (Merit scholarship)

• GPA requirement: Completed more than one semester; 3.6 GPA or higher (average of all semesters)
• Funding: Fully funded
• Eligibility: Undergraduate student (selected from the allotted pool)

International Student Scholarship:

• GPA requirement: 2.4 GPA or higher (average of the previous semester)
• Funding: Tuition and fees (partial or fully funded)
• Eligibility: International student in the government-funded (government-invited) scholarship, international

  student (self-funded), Korean student living overseas and studying in Korea (undergraduate and graduate course)

SNU Foundation Scholarship:

• GPA requirement: 2.7 GPA or higher (average of the previous semester)
• Funding: Tuition and fees (partial or fully funded)
• Feature: Scholarship funded by some 200 funds created by Seoul National University Foundation

The following is the scholarship programs offered for undergraduate applicants. Students may apply for the programs before or during the admission application period. Applicants may find program details via this website http://en.snu.ac.kr/apply/info or supporting organizations.

Korean Government Scholarship Program (KGSP)

Eligibility

• International applicants who wish to apply for 4-year undergraduate programs of SNU.
• * Those who wish to study in the programs longer than 4 years – such as medicine, veterinary medicine, pharmacy, and architecture – cannot apply for this scholarship.

Number of Recipients

• Approximately 20~40 every year

Subsidies

• Full tuition fee: tuition exemption for 8 semesters
• Living expenses: 800,000 KRW per month
• Airfare: one economy round trip
• Korean language training fee: one year
  * Korean language training is mandatory and when the student does not achieve TOPIK grade 3 within a year, she/he is not eligible to enter the degree program.
• Others: medical insurance, settlement and returning expenses

Application Period

• September

Selection Procedure

• Applicants submit applications for this program to Korean embassies in their countries ⇒ the embassies make the first selection ⇒ the National Institute for International Education make the final selection

Contact

• SNU staff in charge: 82-2-880-6971, sck590@snu.ac.kr

Reference

• NIIED: http://www.studyinkorea.go.kr (English version) ⇒ GKS ⇒ Introduction to the projects ⇒ Korean Government Scholarship Program
• 2016 KGSP Guideline Download

Overseas Koreans Scholarship

Eligibility

• Overseas Korean students who wish to take undergraduate degrees at SNU

Number of Recipients

• Approximately 5 students

Subsidies

• Full tuition exemption for a maximum of 8 semesters
• Living expenses: 800,000 KRW per month
• Airfare for one economy round trip
• Korean language training fee: fee exemption at the Language Education Institute for 8 months
• Medical insurance fees

Application Period

• March

Selection Procedure

• Applicants submit applications to Korean embassies in their countries ⇒ the embassies make the first selection ⇒ the Overseas Koreans Foundation make the second selection

Contacts

• SNU staff in charge: 82-2-880-2519, intlscholarship@snu.ac.kr
• Overseas Koreans Foundation: 82-2-3415-0174, ljh@okf.or.kr
  * The latest announcement on this scholarship can be found only via the foundation’s website.

Reference

• Overseas Koreans Foundation: http://scholarship.korean.net (Korean)

The Department of Eastern Philosophy at Seoul National University offers a comprehensive program dedicated to the study of philosophical traditions from Asia, with a particular focus on Chinese, Indian, and Japanese philosophies. The program is designed to provide students with a deep understanding of the historical development, core concepts, and cultural contexts of various Eastern philosophical systems. Students engage with classic texts, contemporary interpretations, and the philosophical underpinnings that have influenced Asian cultures for centuries.

The curriculum typically includes courses in Confucianism, Taoism, Buddhism, Hindu philosophy, Jainism, Zen, and other significant schools of thought. Emphasis is placed on critical analysis and comparative studies, enabling students to appreciate the diversity and interconnectedness of Eastern philosophies. The program aims to develop students' analytical and interpretive skills, fostering a nuanced comprehension of philosophical problems such as ethics, metaphysics, epistemology, and spiritual practices within Eastern traditions.

Students are encouraged to participate in seminars, research projects, and cultural exchange activities to enhance their learning experience. The department often collaborates with other faculties and centers to promote interdisciplinary research in philosophy, religion, and Asian studies. Graduates of this program typically pursue careers in academia, research institutes, cultural organizations, or related fields where expertise in Eastern thought is valued.

The program is conducted in Korean and English, facilitating access for international students and researchers. The faculty comprises distinguished scholars with international recognition in their fields, providing mentorship and guidance to students. The university's rich library resources and digital archives support in-depth research and scholarly activities.

Overall, Seoul National University's Department of Eastern Philosophy offers a rigorous academic environment aimed at fostering a profound understanding of Eastern philosophical traditions and their relevance in contemporary global issues. The program prepares students to become leading scholars, cultural interpreters, and thinkers who can contribute meaningful insights into the enduring questions of human existence, morality, and knowledge from an Eastern perspective.