Rethinking Damunwha Education: Critical Multiculturalism in Learning Circles to Empower Multicultural Students in South Korea

• In Event: 41.084 - Roundtable Session 16
  In Roundtable Session: 41.084-17 - Multicultural/Multiethnic Education: Exploring Institutional Support for Student Empowerment and Resilience

Abstract

This presentation takes a close look at South Korea’s approach to multicultural education, or damunwha education, to better meet its goal to meaningfully include Korea’s multicultural students in schools and society. Using ethnographic findings, the authors identified three shortcomings in damunwha education: 1) overlooks institutionalized oppressions; 2) fails to promote solidarity across marginalized communities; and 3) supplements existing curriculum. With these, the authors argue for shifting its approach toward critical multiculturalism using the learning circles that played a vital role in preparing Korean students to resist a series of dictators in the past. These learning circles may supplement damunwha education to empower today’s multicultural students, with their educators and parents, to effectively challenge institutionalized forces that marginalize them.

Authors

• Gilbert C. Park, Ball State University

• SangOk Park, Kongju National University