KSCB719 Contemporary Taiwan: Culture, Identity and Nationalism for Mgr. program

Faculty of Arts
Spring 2019
Extent and Intensity
1/1/0. 5 credit(s). Type of Completion: k (colloquium).
Teacher(s)
Prof. Bi-yu Chang (lecturer), Mgr. Bc. Denisa Hilbertová, M.A. (deputy)
Guaranteed by
doc. Lucie Olivová, MA, Ph.D., DSc.
Department of Chinese Studies – Asia Studies Centre – Faculty of Arts
Contact Person: Mgr. et Mgr. Dušan Vávra, Ph.D.
Supplier department: Department of Chinese Studies – Asia Studies Centre – Faculty of Arts
Prerequisites (in Czech)
TYP_STUDIA(N)
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
This module aims to provide students with a broad knowledge base to understand major issues in Taiwan's society. Because of its multifaceted cultural and ethnic mix and the complex colonial history, the module unpicks the various dimensions of the complicated social change, considers the interaction of globalization and Taiwan’s contemporary culture, and focuses on the highly charged identity politics of the postwar era. By exploring both contemporary Taiwanese society and cultural change, this course will facilitate a better understanding of the greater East Asian society and can provide an interesting reference point to think about China and Japan.
After introducing Taiwan’s historical background, there are series of in-depth units on family, gender, cultural development, language, education, popular culture, mass media, ethnicity in contemporary Taiwan. Students will develop their academic capabilities and critical thinking in the engagement with the material on a weekly basis through the student-led discussions. Furthermore, students are encouraged to further their research and analytical skills through the exploration and investigation of relevant topics based on their personal interests and academic background.
Learning outcomes
At the end of the course the student will:

- have a solid knowledge of the main issues and trends in Taiwan’s society, the major developments, the impact of the contemporary changes, the most updated academic discussions, and the leading scholars and their work in this field.;
- have a comprehensive knowledge and a solid theoretical framework to engage with previous research work efficiently and critically;
- be able to locate and access the information available in both English and Chinese reference materials;
- be able to critically examine and analyse the different aspects of Taiwanese life and contemporary social change;
- be able to carry out research independently and investigate various issues analytically;
- establish a solid methodological and intellectual foundation for further and more advanced postgraduate (PhD) research work.
Syllabus
  • • Introduction and Historical Overview
  • • Society and Change
  • • Culture and Change
  • • Family and Gender
  • • Ethnicity and Migration
  • • Language and Culture
  • • Education and Ideology
  • • Popular Culture and Globalization
  • • Mass media & Network Society
  • • Identity, National Culture, and State-building
Assessment methods
No absence allowed
Written test
Essay 4000 words
Language of instruction
English
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
Study Materials
The course is taught: in blocks.
Note related to how often the course is taught: Kurz proběhne intenzivně v týdnu 13. 5. - 17. 5. 2019. Rozvrh je uveden níže.
Teacher's information
THE VALID CLASS SCHEDULE:

Mon May 13: 14.00-15.50, B2.24 and 18.00-19.50, B2.24

Tue May 14: 10.00-11.50, B2.23 a 18.00-19.50, D31

Wed May 15: 14.00-15.50, B2.51 a 18.00-19.50, B2.23

Thu May 16: 14.00-15.50, B2.34 a 16.00-17.50, J22

Fri May 17: 10.00-13.50 (2 x 90 min.), B2.41

The attendance is compulsory, no exceptions. Course participants are excused from overlapping KSC courses.

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