Introduction to Contemporary Taiwan

Streets at night in Taiwan.

Summer 2025

Image by tingyaoh from Pixabay

Application period: Read more about the application process!

  • Application period for summer term 2025: 24.3 – 20.4.2025
  • Summer 2025 study period: 26.5 – 31.7.2025

Students from University of Turku can apply direct via UTU Peppi.

Level: Advanced

Amount of credits: 2 ECTS

Teacher:  Doctoral researcher Ari-Joonas Pitkänen, University of Turku

Learning outcomes: This online course will enable students to understand and analyse Taiwan, one of the most complex and contentious places in East Asia. By the end of the course, students will be familiar with the key aspects of contemporary Taiwanese society and politics, including Taiwan’s national identity debates, its contested relationship with the Chinese mainland, and its socio-cultural mix of Indigenous, Chinese, Western, and Japanese influences. By introducing the main dynamics of Taiwan’s socio-political situation, this course provides a valuable complement to other courses on China and the East Asian region.

Content:

The online course consists of six thematic modules:

  1. Introduction – What is Taiwan?
  2. An Overview of Taiwanese History
  3. The Taiwan Question and Cross-Strait Relations
  4. Identity, Nationalism, and Taiwanisation
  5. Taiwan’s Political System and Party Politics
  6. Social Issues and Cultural Trends in Taiwan Today

Study methods: Self-study of online materials, quizzes and learning diary.

Taken as: Online course in the Moodle learning environment. Students can complete the course at their own pace within the course period.

Learning material: Recorded online lectures, reading materials, online materials.

Qualifications: Basic knowledge about China and/or the East Asian region.

Assessment scale: Failed / Pass / Pass with honors

Assessment criteria: Failed / Pass / Pass with donors

Languages: English