This seminar for educators provides an in-depth exploration of Taiwan's rich history and diverse cultural landscape. Covering periods from early indigenous cultures to modern democratic governance, the course offers insights into Taiwan's unique political status and its significant technological advancements. Participants will delve into the dynamic intersections of culture, economy, and environmental literature, with a special focus on Taiwan's geopolitical narratives and ecological contexts. This seminar is particularly beneficial for those teaching history, social studies, art, and literature.
Instruction is provided by the distinguished scholar Dr. Ian Rowen. In addition to giving educators a solid foundation for understanding Taiwan, the seminar emphasizes ways to bring the island’s rich history, cultural dynamics, and geopolitical contexts alive for K-12 students. Participants are supplied with a variety of primary sources, film recommendations, and web resources. The seminar supports national education standards, making it a valuable resource for teachers aiming to enhance their curriculum with engaging and relevant content.
This course is sponsored by the USC U.S.-China Institute and the National Consortium for Teaching about Asia, with generous funding from the Freeman Foundation. We also thank the NTNU Taiwan Huayu BEST Program for providing handmade bookmarks featuring traditional Indigenous fabric patterns. NTNU will also host a brief live session demonstrating how to make these bookmarks and the history behind it. K-12 educators who register will receive a bookmark and a postcard by mail.
- Video presentations (1 hour/week) that you watch on your own schedule
- Background and primary source readings
- Mandatory online forum participation
- 5 Weekly live online discussion with the specialist for that topic
- 1 salary points for Los Angeles Unified School District.
- For all other districts, 3 Continuing Education Units (processing fee applicable)
- Online resources and materials
The seminar live discussions will be held virtually on Thursday for the following dates (5/1, 5/8, 5/15, 5/22, 5/29). Reading assignments and pre-recorded lectures for each week will be available in an online forum and are to be completed prior to the discussion sessions. Access and log-in information will be provided upon acceptance into the course. Please refer to the Seminar Requirements Document for details on assignments and course completion.
Session | Date | Topics |
1 | 5/1 | Introduction to East Asian Cultural Dynamics focusing on Taiwan |
2 | 5/8 | Capitalist Surrealism and Global Exchange |
3 | 5/15 | Political Systems and Ideological Conflicts |
4 | 5/22 | Taiwanese Ecological and Political Landscapes |
5 | 5/29 | Transnational Literature and Cultural Exchange |