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Revision with unchanged content. Music education does not exist independently; it exists in a social context. The author sheds light on political, economic, socio logical and cultural influences on the history of Korean middle school music education between the years of 1945 and 2005. This book divides the history of Korean school music curriculum into four periods: (1) Immediate Post War Period (1945 1960); (2) National Development (1960 1979); (3) Stability Pe riod (1980 1987); and (4) Towards the 21st Century (1988 2005). Each period is contextualized along political and socioeconomic lines, and includes a thorough discussion on the musical philosophies and repertoire used in the specific time frames. Adding a vivid dimension to the school music expe riences across time, the book is also analyzed the content of schools songs contained in textbooks. Music educators should be responsive to this issue, and the book discusses some interesting issues that are relevant to musicians from different parts of the world.

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Ph. D. in Music Education at the University of Minnesota, Certified secondary school teacher, Licensed Kindermusik educator, Lecturer at the Gyeongin National University of Education in Korea.

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