Seoul Humanities of Hope (Happiness Curriculum)

     Unlike typical public humanities lectures, the program focuses on psychological recovery, self-esteem development, and motivation for social reintegration through community-based experiences. The curriculum is divided into Three categories: 

1. Humanities – Introductory courses in philosophy, literature, history, and writing

2. Cultural Education – Interdisciplinary education in music, fine arts, and sports

3. General Education – Practical liberal arts lectures in economics, social welfare, and religious studies

     The 2025 Humanities of Hope (Happiness Curriculum) offers hope and healing through humanities education. Returning for its second year with support from Seoul City, the program reaches out to some of society’s most vulnerable populations.

      Hosted by the Institute for Korean Christianity Culture at SSU, supported by SSU, and funded by the Seoul Metropolitan Government, the program runs every Wednesday from June 25 to September 3 on the SSU campus. For the second year in a row, the program was selected for Seoul City’s public humanities initiative. This year, it operates under the name SSU Mind Care School, offering an integrated humanities curriculum specifically designed for the homeless, low-income individuals, and those in public welfare programs.
     The project is led by Jang Kyung-nam (Vice President for Academic Affairs at SSU), with Cho Bae-joon (Research Fellow at the Institute for Korean Christianity Culture) managing day-to-day operations. Notably, SSU is the first university in the southern Seoul region to host this program, underscoring the role of higher education in community engagement and social responsibility

1. Program Overview
     The program involves 24 instructors, including 15 SSU faculty and various external experts. Participating faculty include Jang Kyung-nam (Vice President), Park Sam-yeol (Director of the Institute), Oh Ji-seok (Institute for Korean Christianity Culture), Park Chang soo (Department of Economics), Lee Ji-ha (Department of Social Welfare), and Sung Sin-hyung (Baird College of General Education).
     Special lectures are led by prominent figures such as Park Joo-ho, a former national football team player and SSU alumnus currently serving as a TVN sports commentator, and Kim Moon-gyeom (Emeritus Professor, Department of Venture and SME Studies). Other contributors include the I’m Culture and Arts Institute (music therapy), the Korea Nordic Walking Association (lifestyle sports), and artists in traditional Korean painting and calligraphy.

2. Planning and Implementation
     Program director Cho Bae-joon shared that “the program was developed with deep respect for the participants’ life journeys, many of which include overcoming significant hardships.” 
     He expressed hope that they can move confidently toward self-healing through humanities education. He also thanked SSU undergraduate and graduate students who volunteered as teaching assistants, helping participants adjust to campus life and offering emotional support.

3. Public Lectures & Special Guests

     The program officially began on June 25 with a lecture by Park Joo-ho titled Global Football Experience and the Second Act of Life. The event drew a large audience of Seoul citizens and SSU students and was followed by a performance by Winners, SSU’s cheerleading team composed of students from Park’s former department.

4. A Mission of Healing and Learning

     On July 2, participants embarked on a guided tour of the SSU campus. They were grouped into three classes—Pyeongyang, Seoul, and White Hors —each symbolizing the university’s past, present, and future. Participants reflected on the statue of a White Horse running forward despite a broken leg, a powerful metaphor for perseverance. The group also visited the Korean Christian Museum to view special exhibits.
     This project is widely recognized as a leading model of public-university partnership that reflects SSU’s founding spirit of truth and service. Jang Kyungnam emphasized that “the true power of the humanities lies in their ability to reveal new inner voices and inspire meaningful transformation through practical wisdom and diverse perspectives.”

     Despite the extreme summer heat and growing concerns about the climate crisis, classrooms at SSU were filled with shared purpose and connection. The Humanities of Hope – SSU Mind Care School continues to serve as a space for healing, education, and human solidarity—offering hope and resilience for a more inclusive future.

Kim Min-ju (Planning Editor)

Minjukim900@soongsil.ac.kr