Asian Studies

This course introduces issues and policies related to different agricultural sectors in Taiwan through field trips around campus and around Taipei.  The course introduces the departments within the NTU College of Bioresources and Agriculture, as well as affiliated institutions and research centers at other universities. The course also provides an overview of crop production in Taiwan, introducing government entities such as the Ministry of Agriculture and its affiliated sectors and other rural organizations. Course details for each week may need to be flexible based on actual conditions. Active participation in the class is encouraged. Please note that additional time for transportation on field trip days may be needed. 

In the 19th century, the Tibetan Plateau was one of the last so-called "blank spots" on European maps, along with other regions of Central Asia. Due to its strategic position in Central Asia and growing economic interests, developing Tibet became an ambitious goal for many Europeans. The seminar examines in what form and with what motives different interest groups such as missionaries, traders, adventurers, scientists and colonial officials acquired and circulated knowledge about Tibet. Why was certain knowledge considered important? How was the collected knowledge interpreted, used and presented? The aim of the seminar is the methodical introduction of the students to colonial history in Asia and the discussion of the role of the so-calledGreat Game between Great Britain and Russia for supremacy in Central Asia, the effects of which reach into the present.
 

An exploratory culture course, Japanese Culture B is offered for foreign students to learn about and share insights into various aspects of living in Japan. The course comprises three basic approaches: discussion of certain cultural aspects of the country; reading literature, and fieldwork at places of cultural significance. Those who took Japanese Culture A in the fall semester should take Japanese Culture B in the spring semester since they make a pair. Culture B and D courses overlap in part due to the nature of certain special events taking place during the semester.

The goal of the course is to provide students a new perspective of Japanese culture by examining the interconnection of various elements, including the history and culture of Tohoku Region; rebuilding effort from the 2011 earthquake and tsunami, and certain ways people have expressed themselves on different occasions. 

The course comprises of lectures and discussions accompanied by fieldwork opportunities. Twelve years after the 2011 earthquake and tsunami, disaster prevention and mitigation has come to hold an important place in the culture of this nation. The Japanese Culture class has been contributing to this cause since soon after the 2011 event and will continue to do so during this semester as well, albeit in a small way.

This course is designed for both international and Japanese students who are interested in the cultures of sports, health, and longevity in Japan and other countries.  The goal of this course is for students to learn how to participate in and enjoy sports as a way of becoming healthy and increasing longevity in their own lives.
 

The course will be taught not as a series of lectures but through student presentations and peer-review based evaluations and suggestions.

This is an omnibus-style course on Japanese culture, featuring lectures and demonstrations on tea ceremony and traditional Japanese musical instruments (Heike biwa, shamisen, sokyoku/Ikuta school).

The tea ceremony is a comprehensive art form in Japan. This course seeks to understand the Japanese spirit behind the tea ceremony, for practice in everyday life.

This course also provides the opportunity for students to experience the charm of Japanese musical instruments and to compose a waka poem.

This course provides theoretical and practical knowledge of the role and impact of global marketing & new product development (NPD) on business activities in Japan.

The main objectives of this course in marketing are:
・ To learn the principles and key concepts of global marketing.
・ To deepen the understanding of the uniqueness and commonality of Japan in a global market.
・ To explore approaches to designing and implementing global marketing strategies for Japan, emphasizing the impact of environmental factors.

On new product development, students are expected:
・ To understand an overview of the new product development (NPD) process and its success principles for the Japanese market.
・ To understand how to turn consumer insights into prototypes and bring viable products into the market in Japan.
・ To develop analytical and intercultural communication skills to share insights for product opportunities in Japan.

This course examines urban family life and relationships within the family as well aspects of the Japanese education system, including kindergarten, various schools, and universities. The course also addresses the ‘Self,’, cultural identity and the Japanese system in domains such as family, gender, community, education, workplace, sports, and media.

This course delves into the sometimes-troubled history and present reality of the Japanese free press. It questions the heart of journalism but also seeks to define the notions of "public good" and the health of democratic systems. For example: Is state control of the news media ever justified? Using historical and present-day case studies, students will examine what press freedom means in practice, and the different ways it can be restricted.

The diaspora of Chinese migrants is evident in the “Chinatowns” in major cities throughout the worldwide.  Their success have led others to describe Chinese migrants as “cosmopolitan” or “global citizens.” However, it is also true that Chinese migrants are an ethnic group that has involved in international politics and the volatility of national regimes. This course looks at Chinese migrants through different case studies and analyzes their narratives from political, economic, legal, and cultural angles to understand their relationship with global issues. Comparative studies with other diasporas are recommended.

This course covers a roughly 250-year period of Japanese history: the Edo period (1603–1868). It was a time of immense change and vast creativity in visual culture, when the existing forms of representation started to break down, and new forms emerged. The course considers various topics beyond what is commonly considered as art, such as city planning, gardens, religious icons, play space, arts, and artists.