Page 97 - FSTE A5 Handbook

(3) Unrestricted GE electives (15-30 AU)
• Any area offered by the various schools

In general, it can be seen that the GE framework is similar to the one in Hong Kong. “Singapore
Studies” is a compulsory domain for students to study to better understand the Singaporean
society. However, credit transfer, which is not as flexible as in Hong Kong, is only somewhat
practised and recognised in only some Singapore universities.
South Korea

Similarly to Hong Kong, US and Australia, Associate Degree programmes are offered in South
Korea and holders of such a degree can be promoted into a respective degree programme.
Interestingly, sometimes certain credits obtained from a bachelor degree programme can also
be used partially to fulfil the requirement for awarding a master degree. In the following
section, Seoul National University will be used as a case study to exemplify the GE curriculum
in South Korea.

In Seoul National University (SNU), GE courses are divided into three categories: “Academic
Foundations”, “Worlds of Knowledge”, and “GE Electives”. These domains are meant to
broaden students’ intellectual perspectives as educated members of society and cultivate
the basic abilities needed for university-level study. Although they are divided into three
categories, these categories themselves are then divided into various sub-categories. The
descriptions of GE PILOS are listed as follows:
(1) Academic Foundations
i. Critical Thinking and Writing (3 credits)
ii. Foreign Languages (9 credits of foreign language + 2-4 credits of English)
iii. Mathematical Sciences
iv. Natural Sciences
v. Computer and Information Science
(2) Worlds of Knowledge (15 credits or more in at least 4 different areas)
i. Language and Literature
ii. Culture and Art
iii. History and Philosophy
iv. Politics and Economy
v. Humans and Society
vi. Nature and Technology
vii. Life and Environment

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