This study considers the values and possibility of introducing literati painting
courses as part of university liberal arts curriculum by analyzing the “Introduction
to Ink Painting” course opened at S University in Seoul. This study was based on
this researcher’s lecture notes of courses from the spring semester of 2011 to the
fall semester of 2013, along with the student survey results. None of the students
who took the courses were are majors. The students were beginners, as they were
majoring in different majors and were first-time learner of ink paintings. A major
of students, nevertheless, felt that the process of learning how to draw orchids and
bamboo trees in the ink painting technique for one semester helped them to better
understand the Asian art culture. The students further pointed out that the current
liberal arts curriculum was far too theory-centered, and that not enough practice
was involved during the courses. This suggests that the current curriculum calls
for more practiced and comprehensive liberal arts classes. Moreover, the students
who took the “Introduction to Ink Painting” replied that they had little to no
opportunities to appreciate, understand or learn about traditional Korean paintings
during their primary and secondary education. This study shows that ink painting
classes as part of the liberal arts education can enrich the learners’ lives and have
educational values for character education, a three-part comprehensive education on
poetry, calligraphy, and painting and for encouraging creativity.