DEPARTMENT OF HISTORY
UNDERGRADUATE COURSES
Survey of Chinese History I-II: /6 credits/ 1st Yr.
The general survey of the origin and development of the nation of China, its
political institutions, learning and thought, and social economy. The purpose is to
provide students with a foundation for both periodic and specialized studies. The
course is divided into eight parts: 1) antiquities, 2) the Spring and Autumn Period
and the Warring States, 3) Ch'in and Han, 4) the Southern and Northern Dynasties,
5) Sui, T'ang, and the Five Dynasties, 6) Sung, Liao, Chin, and Yuan, 7) Ming and
Ch'ing, and 8) the Republic. ( WS Cheng)
World Civilization I-II: / 6 credits/ 1st Yr.
The scope of this course is from the pre-historic age to modern times. Essential
background information is provided. Subjects such as philosophy, religion, science,
economics, politics, and art are dealt with. It is aimed at helping students to
discover the laws that underlie the flux and complexity of Western culture, and to
study the differences between Eastern and Western culture on a comparative basis.
(JS Uang)
Introduction to Historiography I-II / 4 credits/ 1st Yr.
This course is to introduce the general ideas about what history is and how to
pursue history for beginners who are freshmen in the History Department. Main
themes are as following:
1. General historiography in China and Europe
2. Meaning of important historical terms: History, historians, historical
consciousness, historical knowledge and historical interpretation.
3. Basic skills for the study of history
4. Important issues in historical research: dialectic theory; historical language;
historical resources; historical writings. (C Wang)
Preservation and Study of Historic Relics I-II: / 4 credits/ 1st Yr.
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This course seeks to study historic relics of architecture, religion, art and
customs. Lectures and discussions will be aided by audio-visual materials and field
trips. Students are expected to understand the aesthetic values and cultural
significance of these relics, and why they merit preservation. (PF Ho)
History of the Wei, Chin, and the Southern and Northern Dynasties I-II: / 6
credits/ 2nd Yr.
Though a divided one in the political sense, this period is fruitful in terms of the
culmination of Chinese thought and therefore deserves our attention. Political
institutions, intellectual thought, and social development are included in lecture and
discussion. (HC Tsai)
History of the Sung Dynasty I-II: / 6 credits/ 2nd Yr.
The course includes for the 1st Semester: 1) the Founding of the dynasty, 2) its
relationships to Liao and Hsia, 3) the Reformation movement and party politics, 4)
Liao's extinction, Chin's rise, and Sung's southward exodus, and 5) the emergence
of the Mongols and the end of Sung; 2nd Semester: 1) political institutions, 2)
learning and scholarship, 3) economic development, and 4) social conditions. (BY
Chen)
British History I-II: 6 credits / 2nd Yr.
The main purpose of this course is to introduce the development of English
history and bring up those significant issues that characterized British spirits in a
way of long-term observation as well as macro perspective. This lecture course is
open to sophomore and junior students in college only and to be finished in two
semesters. Main themes of the course included as following:
The First Semester:
1. The Roman’s reign and its impact
2. The invasion of Anglo-Saxon and
3. The invasion of Vikings and Danish
4. The Norman’s conquest and William the conqueror
5. The establishment of Plantagenet and Henry II
6. The Crusade and the British
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7. The Hundred Years’ War and the rise of Nationalism
The Second Semester:
1. War of Roses and the establishment of Tudor Monarchy
2. Henry VIII and the British National Monarchy.
3. Stuart Monarchy and the Puritan Revolution
4. Hanover Monarchy and the Glorious Revolution
5. The Social and economic transition and industrial revolution
6. The British colonization and the establishment of British Empire
7. The and political tension and the burgeon of democracy (WH Wang)
Contemporary History of China I-II: / 6 credits/ 2nd Yr.
The scope of this course covers: the crises in the late Ching, the conflicts
between the Revolution movement and the Reformation movement; the founding of
the Republic; and the conflicts between the Nationalist party and the Communist
party. Emphasis is placed upon the impact of the Enlightenment movement on
Modern China and future developments. (Z Cheng)
Contemporary Western History I-II: / 6 credits/ 2nd Yr.
This course covers primarily the politics, society and thought in 19th century
Europe (1815-1914). Following subjects are dealt with: 1) progress of the
Industrial Revolution; 2) Congress of Vienna; 3) evolution of the democratic
system; 4) creation of new ideas, including Liberalism, Romanticism, Nationalism,
and Socialism; and 5) the development of national states and imperialism. (WH
Wang) (for the first semester)
This course consits of two parts: a series of lectures, supported by group reports
and discussions. This series of lectures will take up the economical development of
contemporary Europe as the narrative axis, plus its political and social aspects, in
order to help students to have an adequate understanding of the Post-War Europe.
This series of lectures will cover five important topics:
(1) The difficulties Europe faced after the First World War and the various
factors that interfered in its economic development, such as the war itself,
Paris Peace Treaty, the rise and consolidation of Russian Communism and
etc., all of which were political factors exerting a profound effect on the
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economic development of Europe; in addition, the war itself also
destabilized the economic equilibrium in Europe.
(2) The political factors that influenced the economic development in the
inter-war Europe, such as the post-war new political order and the policy
of economic self-sufficiency that influenced the economic development in
Europe.
(3) The world-scale economic crisis that influenced the economy and the
internal affairs of the European states.
(4) The economic development of Europe in the inter-war period, and this will
include factors that led to the increase of industrial productivity in Europe,
the creation of new industries, such as the rise of car industry and its
related industries, as well as the use of energy and its related industry.
(5) This will be about the period after the Second World War and the
questions that will receive attention in this part include the economic
recovery of Western Europe, the integration of European economy, the
European Community after the energy crisis and the Eastern Europe after
the economic decline.
Group reports and discussions conducted by students will be based on the
current university textbooks on contemporary history. This part will consist of ten
to twelve units, depending on the time available. Each group of students will have
to choose an approved topic and then collect materials, producing the research
result in an essay format; each group will give a thirty minutes’ presentation in the
classroom and make a reply to criticisms. At the end of semester students will be
required to produce another essay of his/her own as part of the course work. (C
Wang) (for the second semester)
Greek History I-II: /4 credits/ 2nd Yr.
This course is a general survey of Greek political history, covering the Greek
Dark Age, Archaic Age, Classical Age and Hellenistic Age. It will include lectures
and discussions on the original sources, such as histories and inscriptions, of which
there already exist very reliable collections. It is hoped that this course will not only
provide students with basic knowledge of Greek history but also help students
develop the necessary ability with which they can understand the original sources in
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a more critical way. ( JS Ueng )
Historical Methodolgy I-II: 4 credits / 3rd Yr.
This course is designed to guide students to understand further the nature of
historical knowledge, to rethink some ideas that are controversial,
thought-provoking and await clarification. In addition, this course will introduce
and explain the new trends in historical research, including the expanding scope for
possible research and a grasp of the intrinsic and extrinsic factors that shape it. This
course wishes to use the ideas and research achievements of established scholars to
help students realize the complementary nature that exists between history as an
intellectual discipline on the one hand and human cum social sciences in general on
the other.
As for the teaching method, the course will impose a high standard on students’
classroom performance and demand students learn from the strictly supervised
research projects the historical methodolgy, thereby to gain experience. This
training will be reinforced by a collective investigation and criticism of the papers
produced in the classroom so that students can develop a good ability in reading
and commenting on subjects related to history. (CW Wang)
History of Ming Dynasty: 6 credits/ 2nd Yr.
This course will consist of a series of lectures following a chronological order.
Students will also be required to read primary source materials and give a report of
critical reading in the classroom. The lectures will topics as follows:
1. Political situation at the end of Yuan dynasty
2. The rebellion of the Red Army
3. The rise of Chu Yuan-chang
4. Fondation of the Ming dynasty
5. Structure of the imperial power during the Hung-wu reign
6. The rule of Emperor Ming-Tai-tsu
7. The transition of Chien-wen
8. Chu-ti the pretender
9. The consolidation of the Ming dynasty
10. The great prosperity of Yung-lo (a)
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11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
The great prosperity of Yung-lo (b)
The change of cabinet system during the reigns of Hung-hsi and Hsuan-te
The To-mu coup during the Emperor Ming-ying-tsung.
Political corruption during the reigns of Cheng-hua and Hung-chih
Social disturbance during the reigns of Cheng-hua and hung-Chih
Personal character of Emperor Ming-wu-tsung
Eunuchs, generalissimos and client kings duringthe reign of Cheng-te
The political struggle between the imperial power and the cabinet during
the reign of Chia-ching
The conditions of sea coasts during the reign of Chia-ching
The power of prime minister during the reign of Lung-ching
The reform during the reign of Wan-li
The internal and external disturbances during the reign of Wan-li
The covert worry of the reign of Tai-chang
Eunuchs and partisan confrontation during the reign of Tien-chi
The economic crisis during the reign of Chung-chen
The popular revolution and the invasion of Manchu during the reign of
Chung-chen
A tentative conclusion(WS Sheng)
History of the Ch'in and Han Dynasties I-II: / 6 credits/ 3rd Yr.
This course begins with the rise of the Ch'in Dynasty in 221 BC, and ends with
the fall of the Eastern Han Dynasty in 220 AD. It seeks to trace the social,
economic, cultural, and philosophical evolution of the dynasty. (YN Huang)
History of the Sui, T'ang and the Five Dynasties I-II: / 6 credits/ 3rd Yr.
This course offers an overview of the historical development of the Sui and
T'ang Dynasties from a social perspective, and an analysis of the underlying causes
that lead to their prosperity. (WS Shih)
German History I-II: 6 credits / 3rd Yr.
This course will concentrate on Germany after the French Revolution. For the
period before the 18th century the emphasis will be laid on how the Reich evolved
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from a universal monarchy (surpassing the duarchy of kingship and religion) into
the territocial concept of statehood, which delayed the formation of a national state.
For this there will be a comprehensive discussion on the various factors that
contributed to this delay. As for Germany after the French Revolution, the
following topics will receive careful attention:
1. influence of French Revolution on Germany;
2. revolution of burghers in 1848 Germany;
3. industrial Revolution and social problems;
4. unification movement of Germany under the guidance of Bismarch, the
constitution of the new Reich, internal and external affairs, colonial policy,
Bismarck the person, and the Reich after the political decline of Bismarck;
5. Weimar Republic;
6. Nazism and the Third Reich;
7. Germany after the Second World War. (C Wang)
The History in Modern China and its Modernization. I-II: 4 credits/2nd Yr
The Challenge of the Opium War in 1840 opened the door towards the West
for China to begin its modernization in Modern Chinese History. Many Significant
political leaders such as I-sin(奕訢), Wen-xing(文祥), Zhen Guo-fan(曾國藩), Li
Huang-zhang(李鴻章),Zu Zong-tung(左宗棠), GuoSun(郭松) etc., offered their
blueprints for the government in order to save this country.Ths Self-strengthen
movement was the first action taken by the government without the barriers of
racial distinctions between Manchurian and Chinese, the contradicition between
central and local sovereighty. This was the first step towards Chinese
modernization in the field of military, diplomacy, economy, and politics. In a long
term, it also established a comprehensive foundation of being a modern nation for
China. Main themes in this course include:
1. The definition and main concepts of modernization
2. Challenge and Response, the Opium War and Tai Ping Tien Guo
3. Rationalization of defense industry
4. The establishment of diplomatic system in China
5. The emergence of new type of entrepreneurs-the beginning of a new
economic policy-Guan Du Shan Ban(官督商辦)
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6. The reformation of constitution in the government
7. The new tendency of social thoughts in China(MF Su)
Survey of American History I-II : /6 credits/ 2nd Yr.
The purpose of this course is to familiarize students with the essence of the
United States, with its specific emphasis on American social aspect of life. Twelve
lectures are offered chronologically from 1600 AD to the present time, with
American classic movies and music analyzed. Students are required to read some
firsthand sources and join discussion.(SD Chang)
The Modern History in China I-II: /6 credits/ 3rd Yr.
1. The General world in west and east prior to the Opium War(1840)
2. The Challenge from the West-the outbreak of the Opium War
3. The internal as well as external national difficulties and anguishes in China
during the reign of Emperor Xien-fun (咸豐) & Tung -chi(同治)
4. The Self- strengthen Movement in China
5. The Reformation ok Kung, You-Wei and
Liang, Ching-Chao (康有為與梁
啟超)and Rebellion of I-Ho-tuan,(義和團)(MF Su)
Social-Economic History of China I-II: / 4 credits/ 3rd Yr.
This course introduces students to the social and economic evolution of China
with concrete evidences from the areas of agriculture, industry, and business.
Students are expected to use this course as a basis on which to speculate about
China's future social and economic development. (Y N Huang)
History of Chinese Women I-II: / 6 credits/ 3rd Yr.
This course is designed to present a panoramic picture of Chinese women's lives
and to investigate the roles they play in society with regard to marriage, family,
education, politics and law. The rise and development of the modern feminist
movement is included. (HC Liao)
History of Korea I-II: / 6 credits/ 3rd Yr.
The lectures are organized chronologically: Tan'gun Cho-son, Chi Tzu Choson,
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Wiman Choson, Age of the Three Kingdoms-- Kogukyo, Paekche, and Silla, Age of
the Unified Silla, Age of koguryo, Age of Choson, Korea under the Japanese Rule,
and Modern Korea. In the Pre-Modern and Modern Periods emphasis is placed on
institutional evolution, cultural development, and Sino-Korean relations, as well as
Japan's invasion and occupation. (MS Tsai)
Social and Economic History of Modern Europe (for the first semester) I-II: 3
credits / 3rd Yr.
This course will consistmainly of lectures. It will be devoted to four divisions: (1)
the demographical development, (2) ideas about agriculture and agriculture
production, (3) industrialization and economic growth, and (4) the social structure
and social conditions.
(1) An inquiry into the demographical development will be related to
following topics: causes for demographical growth; difference in
demographical growth in terms of stages and geographical location; a
discussion on the rate of fertility and mortality; questions about the
migration of population; the demographical density, urbanization and
social problems.
(2) The ideas about agriculture and agricultural production will include the
following topics: the phenomena of rural society; rationalization of
agricultural management and liberation of farmers.
(3) Industrialization and economic growth will include: theoretical foundation
for the economic order of industrial capitalism; development of capital
market and banking; structure for the distribution of labor force; the role
of government.
(4) Social structures and social conditions will have these questions under
investigation: from status society to class society; formation and
transformation of aristocracy, the class of burghers, middle class and
proletariats; civic associations within the social structure; family, civic
society and the minority groups in society. (C Wang)
Social and Economic History of Modern Europe (for the second semester) I-II:
3 credits / 3rd Yr.
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The main purpose of this course is to increase the knowledge about the
socio-economic change over 18th Century and 19th Century in Europe for students.
In addition, several significant controversial debate over industrialization are to be
discussed.
The industrial revolution firstly occurred in England and spread quickly through
out Europe. This technological way of production transformed the development of
economy and social structure as well. The idea of capitalism and its effects on
forming a new way of economic activities are to be introduced in this course. The
link between the Agricultural revolution and the Industrial revolution is to be
approached as well. Finally, the impacts of industrial revolution on society,
particularly on population, urbanization, living standards and social ideology, are to
be discussed. Issues to be lectured in this course include:
Social and economic survey in the Middle-Age Europe; Agricultural Revolution
in England; The impact of the Agricultural Revolution; The origins and
devvelopment of Capitalism and the idea of laissez-faire; The development of
industrial revolution; Social impact of Industrialization: Population, Urbanization,
Social mobility, Living standard & poverty; Voices of industrial revolution: Karl
Marx, Friedrich Engels, Robert Owen, Chartism. (WH Wang)
Early Church History (4BCE~460CE) I-II: 6 credits / 3rd Yr.
1. Prelude.
2. Jews and Judaism.
3. Jesus Christ of Nazareth , Paul and the New Testament:
3a. Jesus Christ and the Gospels.
3b. The Ministry of Jesus Christ.
3c. Paul of Tarsus: the Herald of Resurrection.
3d. Paul’s Thought.
3e. Paul’s Place in the Early Church History.
4. The Primitive Christian Community.
5. The Old Israel and the New Israel (70-135)
6. The Establishment of Orthodox Church:
6a. The Gnostics.
6b. Marcion.
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6c. The General Crisis in 160-185.
6d. The Christian Apologists of the Second Century.
6e. Irenaeus of Lyons.
6f. Montanism.
7. Church in 185-235:
7a. Roman Church.
7b. African Church.
7c. Tertullian.
7d. Clement of Alexandria.
8. Origen.
9. Christian Church in the Decade of Persecution and Its Aftermath in
Africa(249-259).
10. A New Era for the Church(260-303).
11. Great Persecution and the Rise of Constantine called the Great.
12. The Bitter Fruits of Success: Aftermath of the Great Persecution:
12a. The Donatist Schism.
12b. The Conversation of Constantine.
12c. The Arian Controversy.
12d. The Ecumenical Council of Nicaea.
13. Arian Ascendance, the Imperial Intervention in the Ecclesiastical Affairs
and Athanasius of Alexandria.
14. Julian the Apostate.
15. The Nicene Creed, Its Establishment as the Orthodoxy and the
Cappadocian Fathers.
16. St. Ambrose of Milan:
16a. Theodosius I called the Great.
16b. Church and State.
16c. The Last Struggle of Paganism.
17. The Ascetic and Monastic Movement:
17a. St. Anthony.
17b. Pachomius.
17c. St. Basil of Nazianze.
18. St. Augustine of Hippo, the Latin Theologian:
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18a. The Man.
18b. His Polemic with the Donatist Church and the Justification of
Coercive Force for the Religious Cause.
18c. The Pelagian Controversy.
19. The Conflict within the Eastern Chirch: Alexandria, Antioch, and
Constantinople.
19a. John Chrysostom v.s. Theophilus.
19b. The Antiochene Christology v.s. the Alexandrine Christology.
20. The Rise of Papacy:
20a. From Damasus to Celestine(378-440) and the Assertion of the
Roman See.
20b. Responses from Constantinople and Carthage.
20c. Pope Leo, Council of Chalcedon(440-461) and Rise of
Monophysitism.
21. Church and People from Constantine to Leo.
22. End of the Ancient World. ( JS Ueng )
History of the European Renaissance I-II: / 3 credits/ 3rd Yr.
This course encompasses the cultural and intellectual history of the Renaissance.
Though it does not deal with the political, reference books are assigned for
background information. Lectures center on the concept of the Renaissance, the
revival of learning, and the philosophy of the Renaissance. (YC Tu)
A History of Southeast Asia: 6 credits /3rd Yr.
This course will consist of a series of lectures and students' reports in the
classroom. The topics that will be covered in this course are as follows:
1. Ethnicity and culture
2. Southeast Asia before the 16th century
3. Southeast Asia under the Western Colonization
4. Southeast Asia before Independence(WS Cheng)
Roman History I-II: / 6 credits/ 3rd Yr.
This course is a general survey of the Roman political history, covering both the
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Republic and the Empire. The emphases will be laid on (1) the Roman expansion at
home and overseas in the third and second centuries BC as a kind of imperialist
expansion, (2) the agrarian reform of the Gracchan brothers, (3) the political
struggle between the optimates and populares, (4) Augustan revolution, (5)
Julio-Claudian dynasty, Flavian dynasty, the "Golden Age" of the Empire, Severan
dynasty and the chaos in the third century, (6) the growth of the early church and
the religious persecution, (7) the new dispensation under the Diocletian and his
tetrachy, (8) the Constantine revolution, (9) the establishment of Christanity as state
religion and (10) the end of Roman empire. The course will include lectures and
discussions on the original sources. It is hoped that students can profit from this
course not only basic knowledge of Roman history but some ability to see this
period of history in a more critical way. ( JS Ueng )
History of the Chinese Ceramics I-II: / 4 credits/ 4th Yr.
The course covers the development of Chinese ceramics. It is divided into nine
units: 1) pre-historic period, 2) Hsia, Shang, and Chou, 3) Ch'in and Han, 4) Wei
and Chin, 5) Sui and T'ang, 6) Sung, 7) Liao and Chin, 8) Yuan, 9) Ming and Ch'ing.
The primary goal is to investigate artistic achievement, cultural development,
scientific invention, and trade routes. (HH Chen)
History of Chinese Philosophy I-II: / 6 credits/ 4th Yr.
The course is primarily concerned with pre-Confucian philosophy, Confucianism,
Taoism, Moism, Legalism, Buddhism, and Neo-Confucianism (the schools of
principle and of mind). Major figures such as Confucius, Mencius, Hsun Tzu, Lao
Tzu, Chuang Tzu, Mo Tzu, Chou Tun-i, the Chen brothers, Chu Hsi, Lu
Hsiang-shan, and Wang Yang-ming are included in the lecture and discussion. (MS
Ts'ai)
Socio-Economic History of the 19th-Century Europe: / 3 credits/ 2nd semester
4th Yr.
The course is primarily concerned with European socio-economic development
in the 19th century and how industrialization resulting from the alteration of the
means of production affected the structure of the economy as well as that of society.
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Lectures will include examination of the industrialization process in Great Britain,
Germany, and France, and evaluation of its impact on their respective societies.
(WH Wang)
Pre-Modern and Modern Literary History of Taiwan: I-II: / 4 credits/ 4th Yr.
The course examines the impact of pre-modern and modern literature on China.
Emphasis is placed on the influence of the May 4th Movement in Taiwan in the 20's
and a comparison between the literary movements of the 30's in Mainland China
and Taiwan. The course also includes a comparative study of contemporary
literature in Mainland China and Taiwan. (JM Lin)
Ancient Philosophy I-II: / 6 credits/ 4th Yr.
This course is an introduction to those authors who created Hellenism, which
since its inception 2750 years ago has maintained an indelible influence on the
successive ages. The authors and works will be introduced and read include the two
epics, lyrics, tragedies, comedies, historiographies, Pre-socratic philosophy, Plato,
the Sophists, Aristotle, Hellenistic philosophy and Neo-Platonism. Although this is
a basic survey in the form of lectures, students will be asked to read some selected
literature and then have their views expressed in the seminars. It is hoped that
students can obtain some ideas of the intellectual life of the Greeks and also learn
how to relate this knowledge to the general Greek history. ( JS Ueng )
Economics I-II: / 4 credits/ 2th Yr.
Course Objectives:
This course introduces the students to the basic concepts and principles of
modern micro and macro economics. The goal of this course is to show students
that economics is a lively and interesting field of study that, if properly examined,
will allow them to understand the real world.
Course Summaries:
A、 Microeconomics(Semester 1)
This area covers modern information theory and contemporary industrial
organization theory, along with a comprehensive treatment of traditional
microeconomics.
This contents are as follows:
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Part Ⅰ Introduction and key principles
Part Ⅱ a closer look at Demand and Supply
Part Ⅲ Market Structure and Pricing
Part Ⅳ Market Failure: Spillovers and Information
Part Ⅴ The Markets for Labor and Capital
B、 Macroeconomics(Semester 2)
This area covers modern aggregate supply and demand analysis in an
integrated manner, expectations theory, and the natural rate hypothesis, along
with traditional Keynesian and monetary economics.
This contents are as follows:
Part Ⅰ The Basic concepts of Macroeconomics
Part Ⅱ The Economy in the Long Run
Part Ⅲ Economy Fluctuations
Part Ⅳ Monetary Policy
Part Ⅴ Inflation, Unemployment, and Government Deficits
Part Ⅵ the International Economy(YB Wang)
A History of The Overseas Chinese in Southeast Asia: 4 credits/ 4th Yr.
This course will consist of a series of lectures and seminars. Students will also be
required to give a report of critical reading in the classroom. The lectures will
topics as follows:
1. Chinese management of the South Sea before the Ming Dynasty:
2. Overseas Chinese in the Southeast Asia under the Influence of the Western
Powers after the 16th Century:
3. Overseas Chinese in Southeast Asia after the Opium War:
4. A Change of Role for the Overseas Chinese after the Second World War:
5. Structure of the Overseas Chinese Society.
6. Policy related to Overseas Chinese in the Southeast Asian States after the
Second World War.(WS Cheng)
British History I-II: 6 credits / 2nd Yr.
The main purpose of this course is to introduce the development of English
history and bring up those significant issues that characterized British spirits in a
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way of long-term observation as well as macro perspective. This lecture course is
open to sophomore and junior students in college only and to be finished in two
semesters. Main themes of the course included as following:
The First Semester:
1. The Roman’s reign and its impact
2. The invasion of Anglo-Saxon and
3. The invasion of Vikings and Danish
4. The Norman’s conquest and William the conqueror
5. The establishment of Plantagenet and Henry II
6. The Crusade and the British
7. The Hundred Years’ War and the rise of Nationalism
The Second Semester:
1. War of Roses and the establishment of Tudor Monarchy
2. Henry VIII and the British National Monarchy.
3. Stuart Monarchy and the Puritan Revolution
4. Hanover Monarchy and the Glorious Revolution
5. The Social and economic transition and industrial revolution
6. The British colonization and the establishment of British Empire
7. The and political tension and the burgeon of democracy (WH Wang)
Practical Chinese: /2 credits/ 4th Yr
Instructional Objectives:
1.Enable students to communicate and establish a smooth and harmonious
relationship with others by using practical writing;
2.Enable students to write official documents for passing the examinations and
serving competent civil personnel;
3.Enable students to protect their rights while signing contracts with counter
party.
Instructional Outlines:
1.Letter writing:
（1）Envelope writing
（2）Letter paper writing
2.Application to name cards, memorandums, regulations
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3.Notations for signing contracts
4.Official document writing
（1）The definition, category, and format of official documents
（2）Sealing and signature
（3）Official letter writing
（4）Request proposals and reports
（5）Wording and idioms
（6）Practicing and Discussion(YL Lin)
Oral History :6 credits/3rd yr.
Oral History is a new subject in Historical research. To make students to be a
good oral historical worker is the purpose of the course. It consists of three points:
1. What is Oral History? 2. What can we get from Oral History? 3. How to
distinguish the truth and false of the Oral History?
History of Chinese Philosophy I-II: / 6 credits/ 4th Yr.
The course is primarily concerned with pre-Confucian philosophy, Confucianism,
Taoism, Moism, Legalism, Buddhism, and Neo-Confucianism (the schools of
principle and of mind). Major figures such as Confucius, Mencius, Hsun Tzu, Lao
Tzu, Chuang Tzu, Mo Tzu, Chou Tun-i, the Chen brothers, Chu Hsi, Lu
Hsiang-shan, and Wang Yang-ming are included in the lecture and discussion. (MS
Ts'ai)
Environmental History I-II: /6 credits/ 4th Yr.
Environmental History 3 cridits per semester total 6 credits, for senior students.
The aim of this course is to show students how to study history from an
environmental point of view. Students will learn both global and Taiwan's history
by focusing on environmental issues. Reading includes many major environmental
historians' works such as Carolyn Merchant, Donald Worster, William Cronon,
Alfred Crosby and some Chinese environmental historians. Weekly summaries and
analyses must be submitted to the teacher in class. All students need to finish their
reading and prepare notes for their questions before class. A teaching unit or
teaching portfolio will be due at the end of the first semester. A research paper is
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required at the end of the second semester. The topic will be chosen by the student
after discussing it with the instructor. The discussion of topics must be settled no
later than the mid-term of the second semester. If necessary, final examination will
be given to students at the end of each semester.(SP Chang)
MASTER
AND DOCTOR COURSES
Advanced Level of English for Historical Research I-IV: /0 credits/ 1st-2nd
Yr.
This course is designed for postgraduate students who wish to develop an
advanced reading ability of academic English and at the same time to receive some
basic training of translation of English into Chinese. Listening comprehension and
other linguistic ability will be secondary to this course.
The course will be, on a weekly basis, composed of two hours in Lectures and
one hour for test and review of homework. The lecturers will be largely a full-scale
analysis of the essays or articles prepared in advance. Students will be asked to take
part in the discussions. Texts will be taken from The Economist, a highbrow
magazine for decision-makers and intellectuals in the English-speaking world and
European continent. The Economist is liberal in politics, market-oriented in
economy and sympathetic and efficient in its social policy and its worldview is in
general much more comprehensive than other magazines of similar sorts.
Economist has been well noted for its distinguished style and the English it uses
receives consistent praise. Students will therefore not only read good English as a
foreign language in this course but also get in touch with the most recent news and
viewpoints that happen around the world. Knowledge in this aspect will expand
students’ vision in a world that is increasingly integrated as well as diversified.
Students will be required to take a brief test of unseen translation and short
homework every week. They will be reviews of these works in progress. Students
who are found lacking in progress will be asked to leave. This persistent pressure
will, hopefully, help students improve their linguistic ability in as short as a time
that can be reasonable expected in their postgraduate course.(JS Ueng)
History and Research Methods (Doctorate): /4 credits / yr.1 and yr.2
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The aim of the course is to standardize the doctorial dissertation. It will provide a
series of seminar for the students to participate in discussions, analyses and
criticism of academic writings. All students are required to make a formal
presentation of theirs recently research in the seminar.(WS Cheng)
Special Study on the History of Sung I-II: / 4 credits
This course seeks to study the rise and fall of Sung through topics ranging from
"The Two Founders" to "The Death of Wen and Hsieh." Examples are drawn
especially from Sung's civil service; its financial, economic, military, and penal
systems; its classical, philosophical, literary, and historiographic studies; and its
agriculture, industry, commerce, welfare and religious institutions. The purpose is
to analyze its political, scholastic, and socio-economic development. First-hand
materials are used if possible, and lectures are combined with discussions. ( CS
Chin )
The Historical Relationship between China and Southeast Asia: 4 credits
This course will cover the historical relationship between China and Southeast
Asia from its earliest moment right up to the present time. It will consist of lectures
and seminars. Topics that will receive attention in this course include:
1. Approach
2. Traffic between China and Southeast Asia from Han dynasty to Ming dynasty
3. Trade between Contemporary China and Southeast Asia
4. Overseas Chinese in Southeast Asia(WS Cheng)
Seminar on Ancient History of China I-II: 4 credits
The first semester primarily concerns: the archaeological study of the Paleolithic
and Neolithic ages; survey of the research literature, home and abroad;
controversies on dynastic division ; and investigation of the archaeological
documents of Shang and Chou.
The second semester studies the nature and significance of politics, economy,
and society, and examines the documents and archaeological excavations of the
Spring and Autumn period and the Warring States, The following subjects are
included in class discussions: political institutions, social structure, and economic
conditions of the Ch'in and Han Dynasties. Papers are required each semester on
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assigned topics. (YN Huang)
Special Study on Taiwanese Literature I-II: 4 credits
This course consists of three segments: 1) the myths of the indigenous people in
oral literature, 2) traditional classical literature, and 3) pre-modern and modern
literature in Taiwan. Tracing the sources and growth of Taiwanese literature
involves the first two, but the main concern of this study rests in the third area.
Because Taiwan underwent the Japanese rule and Nationalist restoration, the
latter’s development is more complex Students need to realize the universality of
Chinese culture and the particularity of the native culture in Taiwan through a
juxtaposition of the two. Only thus can they understand and evaluate Taiwanese
literature fairly and objectively. (JM Lin)
Special Study on the History of the Chinese Overseas Development I-II: 4
credits
This course is designed to study the shipbuilding, navigation, and the overseas
activities of the Chinese, and to examine the rhythmic pulsation between these
activities. (HH Chen)
Seminar on the History of Taoist Religion's Development I-II: 4 credits
The main concerns of this course are: 1) borrowings from ancient Chinese
thought and religion; 2) rise and evolution of new schools of Taoism in the late part
of Eastern Han; 3) issues of theocracy and anti-theocracy; 4) Taoism under the Wei,
Chin, and the Southern and Northern dynasties; 5) the break-up and reform of
orthodox Taoism; 6) borrowings from Buddhism and Confucianism; 7)
Composition of the Taoist canon and evolution of the tenets; 8) evolution of
initiation, transmission, ordination, moral codes, liturgical practice and ceremony; 9)
relevance to social customs and the arts; 10) Taoism under the T'ang and Sung
dynasties; 11) relevance to new sects; 12) borrowings from Shamanism and other
religions; 13) Taoism under the Ming and Ch'ing dynasties; 14) relationship to
esoteric Buddhism, Manichaeanism, and other religions; 15) relationships to the
cultures of Han and minority peoples; 16) relationship to the cultures of Japan,
Okinawa, Korea, and Vietnam; 17) crises from confrontation with Western culture;
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and 18) development of the Taoist religion after the Republic. ( H Ding )
Topics on The History of Modernization and Modern China I-II: 4
credits/2nd Yr.
Following the challenge from internal rebellion of Tai-ping Tien-Guo(太平天
國) and external invasion from England and France, there had been enormous
changes occurred in China after the Opium War (1842). Facing various difficulties,
the Chin governent tried to deal these challenges in the way of self-strengthen
movement on the military and economy in addition to reformation on political and
diplomatic system in particular. To make China richer and stronger was their target.
All efforts they made during the process were part of the work of modernization.
What is modernization ? What is the relationship between modernization and
Chinese tradition? Were they related closely or were they contrary to each other?
What did they really do for China in order to be a modern country? Did they reach
their goal?(MF Su)
Topics on The History of Modern China I-II: 4 credits
1. Literature review in the modern Chinese history
2. The general world in west and east prior to the outbreak of the Opium War
(1840)
3. Challenge and Response
4. The theory and practice of the Self-strengthen Movement in China
5. The establishment of foreign office and diplomatic system in China
6. The economic reform and entrepreneurs
7. The political reform in the year of 1898 戊戌變法(MF Su)
Discussion and Analysis: / 2 credits
1. The Five Skandhas. (The five cumulations , substance, or aggregates , i.e )
2. The Eight Consciousness.
3. The theory of the arising from conditional causation.
4. The Wisdom Sutras.
5. Mahayana-Sraddhotoada Sastra. (A Book of the Awakening of Faith)(MS
Tsai)
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A study on Confucianism : / 2 credits
1. Confucius’ view of Cultural Grace and Intrinsic Nature
2. Confucius’ view of Super Gentlemen
3. Mencius’ view of Benevolent Rule
4. Mencius’ view of Right and Power
5. The Spirit of Spring and Autumn(MS Tsai)
Readings og The Textual Sources of Taiwanese History in Japanese: 2
credits/2nd Yr.
The Archives of Taiwan Governor-General's Office was the Dossiers of official
correspondences between Taiwan Governor-General's Office, which took over
Taiwan after the singing of Simonoseki Treaty in 1895, and the home government
in Japan. This compilation was written in an offical Japanese used in government
transactions, called“Sorobun”,and most of these correspondences remained in
original scripts at a draft stage. They constitute the first-class historical sources for
a study of Taiwanese history. This course is intended to help students make sound
judgments on the Japanese scripts and read the offical Sorobun. It will makes at the
same time an inquiry into the Sino-Japanese conferences during the concession of
Taiwan, the atrocity committed by the Japanese army after its landing, as well as its
intention to make an attempt at Fukie (the Other Side) (HH Liang)
A study on the Oral History : 3 credits
The course is setup for graduate students. There are some aims in the course. The
main is how to promote the student’s ability in historical study .It also wants to
strengthen student’s ability in collecting and identifying the spoken historical
materials. Those students who take the course is expected to be a professional
historian.(TC Lin)
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