Sookmyung University Professor's Book on Historical Literacy Named Outstanding Academic Work

Professor Kim Min-jeong of the History Education major at Sookmyung Women's University's Graduate School of Education has received recognition for her work. Her book, 'Historical Literacy: How to Teach It,' co-authored with Lee Mimi, Lee Soeun, and Park Jiwon, has been selected as an outstanding academic book for 2026 by the National Academy of Sciences of Korea.

The National Academy of Sciences has been selecting and distributing outstanding academic books since 2002 to promote research and writing in basic academic fields. The selection process involves a multi-stage review by scholars and experts, focusing on books first published between March of the previous year and February of the current year.

Professor Kim's co-authored research book provides a thorough analysis of the theoretical foundations and practical implementation methods for 'historical literacy,' an increasingly vital aspect of history education. A significant contribution of the work is its in-depth examination of major U.S. curriculum materials. Rather than passively adopting foreign theories, the book actively seeks directions for historical literacy education tailored to Korea's educational realities, drawing on actual Korean history classroom cases and curriculum debates.

'Historical Literacy: How to Teach It' is the result of extensive joint research by the co-authors, grounded in long-standing research debates concerning domestic and international history curricula, historical inquiry classes, and students' historical understanding. The book is particularly significant for presenting a successful academic case that combines practicality and expertise, driven by a desire to offer insights relevant to the field of history education.