Asian Studies

This course offers students insights and different perspectives that can help explain why, over the centuries, some nations and cities succeed in our global economy while others fail. The course is divided into three parts. The first part introduces theories of global economics and the determinants for a nation/city to achieve power and prosperity versus poverty from a historical perspective. The second part examines specific case studies to enhance our understanding of concepts and broad intellectual perspectives to do with international trade, and monetary and financial systems. The course ends with current challenges in the global economy and the way nations and cities might resolve those problems. Special attention is given to the emergence of the world economy in the 21st century and the changing world economic order over time.

Designed for international students, this course explores famous classical Chinese poems across seven major themes. It aims to remove language barriers, analyzing content, artistic features, and historical context. Through guided practice in recitation, the course helps students understand, appreciate, and memorize these classics, experiencing the beauty of Chinese poetry.

This course takes Chinese history as its main axis and introduces the development and characteristics of Chinese culture within the broader context of world and East Asian history. The lectures provide an overview of key historical events and major concepts across different dynasties, helping build a comprehensive understanding of China’s historical framework. In addition, the course examines topics such as social organization, political institutions, religious customs, philosophical thought, and artistic and literary achievements. It provides a well-rounded understanding of China’s historical transformations and its significant cultural accomplishments in context.

This course explores current issues in the study of modernity and colonialism and their connection to music in East Asia. The early twentieth century has fostered a growing interest in the critical examination of the relationship between music and society, with scholars focusing on postcolonial issues concerning Japanese and other imperial projects, exploring their influence on music and the dynamics of colonial collaboration and negotiation across the region. Through an extensive review of existing literature, this course aims to deepen our understanding of the cultural and musical aspects of colonialism and its ambiguous relationship with modernity.

This course is aimed at first year international students, guiding them to integrate into the local university life. It explores Taiwanese culture and offers visits to different cultural or historical sites every week, such as night markets, temples, memorial halls, museums, cultural centers, eco-parks, old streets, historical landmarks, and firefly-watching locations.

This course will focus on the complicated role that law has played in the economic reform. It will analyze such a role from five perspectives, namely, constitution, government, property, regulation, and globalization. Together, these perspectives will help the students to build a multi-dimensional understanding of the political economy of law in modern China.

This course explores a range of films (popular genre movies and art cinema) from post-war Japan in relation to their historical background (national and international). It examines in particular the international circulation and understanding of Japanese cinema.

This course explores the relationship between Japan and East Asia from both historical and contemporary perspectives. 

This course examines theories of media and popular culture in Western societies and how these evolved in the context of colonial, post-colonial/ postwar, and globalized Korea.

This course studies, analyzes, and discusses specific topics in social science and/or humanities, depending on the agreement between lecturer and students. It is a survey of knowledge and related theories. It introduces students to Thai society and culture through key selected topics that provide insight into the Thai worldview and way of life. The course builds a foundational understanding of cultural values, social structures, and everyday practices in Thailand.