중국 서원 연구는 4단계로 나누어진다. 첫 단계는 서원 연구가 시작되는 1923～1949년, 두 번째는 서원 연구가 위축되는 1950～1979년, 세 번째는 중국 서원 연구의 흥성기인 1980～1999년, 네 번째는 서원 연구에 대한 새로운 전망이 모색되는 시기로 2000～2005년까지이다. 1단계 : 중국의 서원 연구는 모택동이 1923년에 발표한 <호남자수대학창립선언>에서 시작되는데, 이때 모택동은 서원에 대해서 ㉠ 師生 사이에 감정이 매우 두터움. ㉡ 교수, 관리가 없어도 정신적으로 주고받기에 자유롭게 연구가 가능. ㉢ 과정은 간단하지만 연구와 토론이 폭넓음 등 3가지 장점을 말하고, 고대 서원의 형식을 취하여 현대 학교의 내용을 가르칠 것을 주장하였다. 이후 교육 개혁이라는 목표 아래 서원에 대한 연구가 진행되었다. 특히 중국의 항일전쟁 과정에서 어떻게 일본제국주의를 극복하고 민족위기를 벗어나며 민족문화를 부흥시킬 것인가 하는 고민이 진행되는 과정에서 민족서원 등이 설립되었다. 2단계 : 이 시기는 홍콩, 대만학자 등과의 교류가 단절되며, 소련의 교육모델을 답습함으로써 서원사 연구가 위축되었다. 3단계 : 중국 서원의 연구가 다시 활성화되는 시기로, 전문적인 연구기구와 조직이 설립되고 학술지가 만들어졌고, 기존 연구 주제를 심화시키고 새로운 영역을 개척하였으며, 외국과의 학술 교류가 활발해지기 시작하였다. 4단계 : 많은 대학원생들이 서원 연구에 참여하면서 연구가 활기를 띠기 시작하였고, 교육 개혁과 관련하여 전통의 서원에 대한 관심이 증폭되었으며, 새로운 학문 분야에서 접근이 이루어지며 서원연구의 폭이 확대되고 있다.

Chinese Seowon research could be divided into 4 levels. The first level is the beginning period of Seowon research from 1923 to 1949, the second one is the period of shriveling from 1950 to 1979, the third one is the booming period from 1980 to 1999, the forth level is the period of considering the new point of view from 2000 to 2005. 1st level : Chinese Seowon(書院) research originated from <the declaration of the opening of Honamjasoo university> which announced by Mo Tek Dong in 1923. Mo Tek Dong explained about three good characters of Seowon(書院); deep emotional connection between a master and an apprentice, the degree of freedom was high without much intructions due to mental feedbacks and despite of simple course schedule, researchs and discussions were very deep and wide. In addition he claimed to give modern lectures to their student following Seowon(書院)'s way. After that, the research for Seowon had proceeded under the motive for innovating education. China was considering how to tide over the Japanese imperialism, free itself from national crisis and restore the national culture. Thus, National Seowon(書院) had established as a solution for these problems. 2nd level : In this period, China disconnected relationship with Hong Kong and Taiwan scholars. In addition, China followed USSR's education model which made the research of Seowon history shrank. 3rd level : Chinese Seowon reaserch was reactivated. professional research mechanism and organizations were founded, as well as a scientific journal were issued. Deepening original research issues, opening up new area of study, activating scientific exchange with forelign countries. 4th level : A lot of postgraduate students enrolled into the research, it made Seowon study get heated up. The interest in traditional Seowon which related with reorganization of education had come to increase. Moreover, the area of Seowon studying being enlarged by the approaches from new study section.

Chinese Seowon research could be divided into 4 levels. The first level is the beginning period of Seowon research from 1923 to 1949, the second one is the period of shriveling from 1950 to 1979, the third one is the booming period from 1980 to 1999, the forth level is the period of considering the new point of view from 2000 to 2005. 1st level : Chinese Seowon(書院) research originated from <the declaration of the opening of Honamjasoo university> which announced by Mo Tek Dong in 1923. Mo Tek Dong explained about three good characters of Seowon(書院); deep emotional connection between a master and an apprentice, the degree of freedom was high without much intructions due to mental feedbacks and despite of simple course schedule, researchs and discussions were very deep and wide. In addition he claimed to give modern lectures to their student following Seowon(書院)'s way. After that, the research for Seowon had proceeded under the motive for innovating education. China was considering how to tide over the Japanese imperialism, free itself from national crisis and restore the national culture. Thus, National Seowon(書院) had established as a solution for these problems. 2nd level : In this period, China disconnected relationship with Hong Kong and Taiwan scholars. In addition, China followed USSR's education model which made the research of Seowon history shrank. 3rd level : Chinese Seowon reaserch was reactivated. professional research mechanism and organizations were founded, as well as a scientific journal were issued. Deepening original research issues, opening up new area of study, activating scientific exchange with forelign countries. 4th level : A lot of postgraduate students enrolled into the research, it made Seowon study get heated up. The interest in traditional Seowon which related with reorganization of education had come to increase. Moreover, the area of Seowon studying being enlarged by the approaches from new study section.

Research history of Chinese Seowon(中國書院研究的歷史), Movements of Seowon research (書院研究的動態), The key discussion of Seowon research (書院研究的熱点問題), Progress way of seowon reseach(書院研究的發展方向)