Seowon, Korean Neo-Confucian Academies

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Seowon, Korean Neo-Confucian Academies: A Legacy of Education and Scholarship

The Seowon, or Korean Neo-Confucian Academies, represent a unique and significant chapter in the history of education and scholarship in East Asia. These academic institutions, which were predominant during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), have been recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site since 2019.

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UNESCO Description of the World Heritage Site

The property is located in central and southern parts of the Republic of Korea, and comprises nine seowon, representing a type of Neo-Confucian academy of the Joseon dynasty (15th -19th centuries CE). Learning, veneration of scholars and interaction with the environment were the essential functions of the seowons, expressed in their design. Situated near mountains and water sources, they favoured the appreciation of nature and cultivation of mind and body. The pavilion-style buildings were intended to facilitate connections to the landscape. The seowons illustrate a historical process in which Neo-Confucianism from China was adapted to Korean conditions.

Encyclopedia Record: Seowon

Seowon (Korean: 서원) were the most common educational institutions of Korea during the Joseon Dynasty. They were private institutions, and combined the functions of a Confucian shrine and a Confucian school. In educational terms, the seowon were primarily occupied with preparing young men for the national civil service examinations. In most cases, seowon served only pupils of the aristocratic yangban class. On 6 July 2019, UNESCO recognized a collection of nine seowon as World Heritage Sites.

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