Hanyang University ERICA's LIONS College, part of the Department of Autonomous Studies, is offering a unique curriculum that encourages students to explore real social issues and find meaning in their majors. Recently, the college invited a sitting lawmaker to discuss the legislative process and engage students in projects aimed at solving local problems from a youth perspective.
On the 28th, Hanyang University ERICA LIONS College announced that it hosted a special lecture by Lawmaker Kim Nam-kook (Ansan Danwon) as part of the 'LIONS Convergence Project' course. This semester's project focuses on 'Youth Policies Proposed by Youth: Creating a Desirable Ansan,' where students investigate and seek solutions to community issues such as housing, employment, and transportation.
During the lecture, Kim addressed the intriguing topic 'How Laws and Sausages Are Made.' He cited significant real-life examples, including legislation mandating the installation of CCTV in operating rooms and regulations on youth social media use, explaining how social demands evolve into policy agendas.
Kim vividly conveyed the challenging legislative process, highlighting the intense debates and negotiations among various stakeholders that ultimately lead to the formulation of laws and regulations, which resonated well with the students.
The Q&A session that followed was equally engaging. Huh Ji-hyo, a student from the natural sciences at LIONS College, raised concerns about the disconnect between public desires and the laws and policies that are enacted, as well as issues like bureaucratic inefficiency. She asked what efforts lawmakers make to bridge this gap and how they gather input from the field.
In response, Kim emphasized the importance of listening to public demands during the law and policy-making process, but also stressed the need to continuously monitor how these regulations function in practice. He added that it is essential to gather a wide range of opinions from local residents, stakeholders, and relevant experts, and to address any issues that arise post-legislation to enhance the effectiveness of the laws.
The LIONS College, which organized this special lecture, supports a groundbreaking curriculum that allows students to explore various majors during their first year before selecting one that aligns with their interests and career paths.
Students begin with 'self-understanding' to identify their interests and strengths, then move on to 'major understanding' to examine the characteristics of each field, ultimately expanding their perspectives through 'social understanding' of the social issues they care about. This approach aims to train students to view their majors not merely as a means to employment but as a lens through which to understand themselves and society.
Hwang Seung-jun, dean of LIONS College, stated, 'The true meaning of the Department of Autonomous Studies should not be limited to merely postponing the choice of a major. It must involve a process where students deeply understand themselves, experience various majors, and connect these experiences to social issues.' He added, 'We will continue to create opportunities for students to discover their true interests and the significance of their majors through rigorous exploration of real social problems.'
Professor Jo Eun-won, who oversees the course, remarked, 'Deciding on a major in the first year is an important task for LIONS College students, but it is not the ultimate goal of higher education. The process of actively contemplating what role they can play in addressing social issues should lead to a more informed choice of major.' He concluded, 'Such experiences will provide a solid foundation for students to grow into responsible citizens who engage with social issues.'
* This article has been translated by AI.
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