The object of this thesis is to first understand how modern Korean elementary
art education has changed in its form and substance, how much importance it held
within the education system at that time and with what purpose and content the
text book was written in. As the subject of this thesis is dealing with the course
of change and development of art education in school, I can add this thesis is
about the history of school art education.
I have set the scope of this study from 1895, when the foundation of Korean
art education, as part of a school education, was established, to 1945, the end of
Japanese colonial rule. The first era (1895-1910) was the age of introducing modern
education to Korea. I analysed the art education system for elementary school and
our country's first art text book, which were brought by the promulgation of “So
Hak Kyo” ordinance(1895-1905) and “Bo Tong Hak Kyo” ordinance(普通學校令)
(1906-1910). The second era (1911-1921) was the age of establishing modern education.
For this period, I analyzed the art education system and art text books made by
the first Chosun Education ordinance. The third era (1922-1938) was the age of
maintaining guidance system. Here I analysed the art education system and text
books changed by the revised Chosun Education ordinance. The fourth era (1938-
1941) was the age of Japanese colonialization art education. Here I examined the
art education system and text books of that time after the revision in the third Chosun
Education ordinance. The fifth era (1941-1945) was the period of uniting arts and crafts.
I analysed the art education system and text books changed by the promulgation of the
fourth Chosun Education ordinance and the “Kook Min Hak Kyo(國民學校)” ordinance.
After considering all the factors, we can see that modern Korean elementary art
education has developed accordingly to the change of the country's policy, by making
revised art education system and text books, satisfying the demands of that era.