This study aimed to seek social studies instruction plans for intercultural understanding in the multicultural era. Based on prior research, this study suggests the need for empathetic citizens as civic qualities for intercultural approach and intercultural understanding in the multicultural era. In order to resolve social conflicts cause by cultural differences, interculturalism-based meeting and conversation are required, and for smooth communication and relationship with others, empathy to put oneself in others’ shoes is essential. Based on these discussions, social studies instruction plans for intercultural understanding were studied. Prior to this, the contents related to intercultural understanding in the social studies curriculum were analyzed. The instruction plans of this study are to stress intercultural meeting and conversation beyond recognition and respect for cultural differences that the current curriculum seeks. Accordingly, a social studies instruction for intercultural understanding was devised using an empathy-based learning model verified by the previous studies. On the basis of the curriculum analyzed, the resolution of prejudice and discrimination through intercultural understanding was selected as an instructional topic. This social studies instruction consists of four stages; first, recognizing problems caused by prejudice and discrimination as the stage of empathic understanding, second, exploring reasons for prejudice and discrimination as the stage of empathic exploration and expression, third, relating the position of the social minority with my life at the stage of empathy internalization, and fourth, bracing myself for civic participation and practice as the stage of empathic practice. It is thought that teaching and learning methods for students to experience perspectives of others actually will be most useful in the practice process of this instruction.