COLLEGE OF INTERNATIONAL STUDIES
Introduction
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Dean: Tai, Wan-chin
Brief History
The College of International Studies was established in 1992. Its missions are to train graduate students interested in area studies and international affairs. This college consists of eight graduate institutes. They are as follows：Graduate Institute of European Studies, Graduate Institute of American Studies, Graduate Institute of International Affairs and Strategic Studies, Graduate Institute of Japanese Studies, Graduate Institute of Latin American Studies, Graduate Institute of Slavic Studies, Graduate Institute of China Studies and Graduate Institute of Southeast Asian Studies. All the eight graduate institutes offer master's programs. Additionally, the Institute of American Studies, the Institute of European Studies and Graduate Institute of International Affairs and Strategic Studies offer doctoral programs. Currently no other university in Taiwan has such extensive area studies programs as Tamkang University. In other words, Tamkang University distinguishes itself in area studies.
The interdisciplinary approach is adopted by all of these graduate institutes. Therefore, our students come from various undergraduate backgrounds. The College always encourages its students to take some courses at those reputed institutions of higher learning overseas.
The College of International Studies is quite well-known in Taiwan for its outstanding faculty members. Many distinguished diplomats and former cabinet members of the country are teaching at the College. We are committed to maintaining teaching and research excellence. In fulfillment of that commitment, the College publishes a quarterly journal, the Tamkang Journal of International Affairs. Many of its contributors are foreign scholars. The College also publishes occasional papers in the Chinese language. The College has cooperation with the European Union Research Center. The time-honored European Documentation Center facilitates the operation of the European Union Research Center. Last but not least, the College is in charge of conducting “Tamkang Forums” for the University.
Motto and Goals
Integrate All Resources Available. Get Everyone at the College Involved in Realizing Our Common Goals. Further Our Distinguishing Strengths.
Future Development
The College is in the process of developing the mechanisms of dual degrees for its graduate students. The College is offering an English-instructed program for graduate students. Students, upon completing 24 credits, will be conferred an M.A. degree. They, upon completing 18 credits, will be conferred a certificate. The program is designed mainly for foreign students.
Course Descriptions
A1150 U.S. Higher Education Administration (3/0) This course offers an overview of the development of American higher education in the 21st Century. It aims to help students understand the origins of contemporary practices and problems in higher education. In addition, this course is designed to help students acquire the ability to use academic English fluently and accurately in speaking, listening, reading and writing. Major reading themes include: (1) Uses of Universities(2) Historic development of American higher education system(3) Internal governance/ internal forces (4) Academic Status and Excellence(5) Commercialization and marketization
T0123 International Organization (2/0) The course studies international organizations in history, theory and practice, in particular the United Nations (UN). The first part of the course examines major theories, intellectual roots, and analytical approaches to explore the roles, limits, and origins of international organizations. The second part is concerned with the past, present, and future of the UN. We will discuss significant issues such as the failed experiment of the League of Nations, UN system of collective security, the basic principles and structure of the UN, UN activities in the areas of peaceful settlement of disputes, and the assessment of UN peacekeeping operations.
T0262 International Media and Public Option War (2/0) "The Public Opinion War" has developed to a mainstream issue of war strategy study between Taiwan and Mainland China since it was created from China on 2003.Our seminar will analysis the definition and theory construction of the idea of "The Public Opinion War" with the beginning of international communication theory, citing huge amount of practical cases of China during the class to combine theory and practice.
T0412 Cuba Studies (3/0) Starting from a historical point of view, this course will focus on the Americanism, from José Martí's "Our America" to Fidel Castro's socialism. It also makes a study of Castro’s revolutionary program and his regime that struggles to survive for more than 48 years. Does Castro become a symbol of anti-imperialism after his long time regime? Or is Castro just another Latin-American dictator for his iron rule? At a time when Cuba precariously walks on the ledge between socialism and capitalism, loosening control of the economy and seeking more foreign investment are the most important steps in the new future. After Castro's stomach operation, Cuba becomes the most-watched country in Latin America, it is certain to move towards democracy, but at what pace is an interesting prognosticate.
T0415 Security Triangle: EU, NATO and UN (3/0) According to the principle of burden-sharing, in the near future, the EU will serve as a soft/civilian power in the international security field, simultaneously, the NATO as a hard/military power and the UN as a normative power. Cooperation between these three powers is crucial element for stabilization of the international security. Besides, if we think about the construction of a future international security structure, the EU, the NATO and the UN are three inevitable fundamental pillars in this structure.
T0416 International News Analysis (3/0) Analysis of international news which maybe political, economic, scientific, or cultural in nature. The course consists of background lectures, cultivation of critical thinking expressed in commentary writing, class discussions, and a research paper.
T1138 Introduction to Asia-Pacific Economic Development (3/0) This course is intended to study economic development and structural transformation of the Asia Pacific economies in the context of global change. East and Southeast Asian economies following the "flying geese" pattern of development related to stages of industrialization from light industries to more technology intensive industries accompanied by accelerated trade, FDI, and technology transfer. The most important development in this process is the increasing degree of structural interdependency of industries across countries developed over last few decades. In this class we will adopt country case studies and also analyze various development issues and policies.
T1343 U.S. East Asian Policy (3/0) This course aims to analyze U.S. foreign relations with China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan and Southeast Asian nations, and their respective strategic implications. The topics cover political, economic and security dimensions.
T2289 Studies in International Human Rights (3/0) This course focuses on the discussion of human rights of ICCPR.
T2290 Economic Relationship between Japan and East Asia (3/0) This course examines the evolution and effect of globalization on the comparative advantage and international competitiveness of Japanese economy and enterprises through trade, FDI, technology transfer during the postwar period. We evaluate the view that Japan is facing a serious double competitiveness squeeze, high-technology goods from the United States and Europe and simpler manufactured goods from emerging developing countries, especially the Dynamic Asian Economies. This study therefore focuses on challenges and strategies for Japan and Japanese corporate activities in the East Asian region particularly.
T2291 Japanese American Business Management (0/3) Japanese management has changed during the Lost Decade, so this course will teach the new style of Japanese management. It will include how Japanese companies conquer the Lost Decade and what kinds of change do they adopt. The new Japanese management will affect East Asian companies. The rebirth of Japan as No.1 is not a prediction, but a real story. Japanese salary-men are building a new landscape. Economic growth is not the only carrot. They are balancing growth between go-go economies and sustainable nature.
Analyzing the Great Powers' Policy on Southeast Asia (0/3) External dynamics are changing a lot, as China makes new raising power into Southeast Asia and the United States pursues a policy of counterterrorism in the region. This course will examine the historical roots and political, economic and cultural dynamics of Southeast Asia's relations with the major powers-- the US, China, Japan, India and Australia.
Elite Approach to American Politics (0/3) Politics is multifaceted and multidimensional; it is about what to change and what not to change, how, when, and where. Politics pertains power and the use of it (as in controlling, demanding, ordering, influencing, directing, and transforming). Within the context of political systems, it concerns decision making and policy, leadership and personnel, governing institutions, and “popular” support. According to the elite approach to politics, the American political system, as with all political systems, is hierarchical and “class” based. This approach argues, for example, that the decision-making process (i.e., regarding change and continuity in society) is dominated by limited and select groups of individuals (viz. elites) in the United States, and the American public, contrary to normative interpretation (e.g., pluralism), is directed and controlled by the former. In this seminar, we explore the ideology, organization and structure (i.e., political values and culture, relationships, patterns, institutions, and hierarchy) that support the practice of elite politics in the United States of America.
International Negotiation and Mediation (0/3) The goal of the course is to provide a basic understanding of the roles of international negotiation and mediation in conflict resolution. The content of the course is divided into two parts, negotiation and mediation. The former covers the basics of international negotiation with emphasis on theoretical knowledge, such as the impact of power, the role of culture, and the nature of multilateral negotiation. The latter surveys major issues of international mediation with case studies, including the Oslo Accord, the Iran hostage crisis, and third-party intervention in Cambodia, East Timor, and Namibia. p.s. This is not a business-type or negotiation skills training course, so we will not conduct any in-class negotiation simulation exercise.
