CHIN 425
Becoming Taiwan: Social, Cultural, and Economic Discourses of Modern Day Taiwan Spring 2025
Division I
Cross-listed ASIA 425

Nestled in East Asia, Taiwan stands as a dynamic island home to a populace of 23 million. From 1949, when the Nationalist Party (KMT) retreated to Taiwan after the Chinese Civil War, to becoming one of the Four Asian Tigers in the latter half of the 20th century, Taiwan has developed into a multifaceted society through an array of social/cultural/economic changes associated with industrialization, globalization and identity formation. Throughout this course, we will delve into pivotal moments that have shaped contemporary Taiwanese society, drawing insights from literary works, films, journalistic exposés, and academic discourse. Through group discussions and individual projects, students will not only acquire specialized vocabulary but also hone their ability to dissect and debate complex ideas in Mandarin pertaining to the aforementioned themes. Crafted in a semi-tutorial format, this course aims to cultivate linguistic proficiency ranging from Advanced Low to Advanced Mid as outlined by the ACTFL proficiency guidelines. To enrich the learning experience, language partnerships will be forged in collaboration with a graduate program in Chinese pedagogy based in Taiwan, offering further opportunities for in-depth engagement with course materials.