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Taiwan Studies Program, Jackson School of International Studies, University of Washington

Winter Quarter 2022 Courses!

November 18, 2021

UW-TSP will offer two courses during Winter Quarter 2022!

Making Modern Taiwan 

JSIS A 588 (SLN: 22190) // HSTAS 590 (SLN: 22191)

Course Instructor: James Lin, jyslin@uw.edu

T 1:30 – 4:20pm // 5 credits

Taiwan has recently been called by a major publication as “the most dangerous place on Earth.” However, these popular portrayals of Taiwan are largely told from the perspective of outsiders looking in. This graduate reading seminar is focused on understanding modern Taiwan from the inside out through an interdisciplinary survey of Taiwan Studies.

“Making Modern Taiwan” introduces graduate students to key themes that have defined Taiwanese history, politics, society, and culture. How has Taiwan been shaped by empire, capital, ideas, and movements of people? How have these forces resulted in contested issues today such as identity, democratization, and development? How has Taiwan imagined the world and its own place within it?

Each week explores a different topic through assigned academic books, encompassing migration, colonialism, ethnicity/race, urban spaces, the Cold War, political economy, indigenous peoples, memory, labor, and gender. Readings and discussions will emphasize understanding Taiwan both as a case study for broader social science and humanities theories, as well as a site of unique social and political phenomena.

James Lin is Assistant Professor of Taiwan Studies in the Jackson School of International Studies and Associate Chair of the Taiwan Studies Program. He teaches modern Taiwan history, interdisciplinary Taiwan Studies, and thematic courses on development, science, environment, food, state, and society.

Environmental Issues in East Asia

ENVIR 495C (SLN: 14639); JSIS 484A (SLN: 16106)

Course Instructor: Yen-Chu Weng, yweng@uw.edu

Hybrid Instruction: Th 4:00-5:50 plus 2-hour online asynchronous learning activities

5 Credits: I&S, W Credit

Course Learning Objectives:

  • Recognize and understand the causes and effects of contemporary environmental issues in East Asia through a comparative lens
  • Examine the cultural, social, political, and economic implications of environmental challenges
  • Practice critical thinking and effective communication skills through class activities and assignments

This course surveys contemporary environmental issues in East Asia – China, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan. Focusing on the topics of pollution, waste, energy, environmental movements, and environmental policy, we will delve into case studies to examine how each country responds to the environmental challenges differently and with what consequences. This course culminates with a group project in which students will work in groups to analyze and present a specific environmental case in East Asia by synthesizing diverse sources of information and stakeholder perspectives. This course is dually put on by the UW Program on the Environment and UW Taiwan Studies Program.