Global Taiwan

Catalog description

This course examines the historical, cultural, and ethnic dimensions of Taiwan over several centuries to the present day. Taiwan's rich history and important economic role in contemporary East Asia clashes with its exclusion from international organizations like the UN and WHO and resultant international isolation. This class will examine the history and culture of Taiwan to better understand how it got here and where it might go. Topics covered will include the Dutch incursions in "Formosa," Japanese colonization, years of military dictatorship and cross-straits tension, rebirth as one of the four "Asian Tiger" economies, and its current rowdy democracy and warming ties with the People's Republic of China. We will also explore the literature, film, and culture of this multi-ethnic, multi-lingual, and multi-cultural island.