Introduction

In August 1999, the National Hualien Teachers’ College established the Graduate Institute of Local Studies, the second higher education institute nationwide probing into both the history and geography of Taiwan. In August 2005, following the transformation of the College into the National Hualien University of Education, the Graduate Institute of Local Studies became the Department of Local Studies featuring not only an Mater-level program, but also a Bachelor-level program by incorporating the [undergraduate] History & Geography Division of the Department of Social Studies Education; the summer program for Master’s degree implemented later in 2006. In August 2008, the National Hualien University of Education was officially merged with the National Dong Hwa University; the summer program for Masters degree became the part-time Master’s degree program in 2009.

In August 2010, in order to respond to the post-merger alignment of academic resources, and the (re)arrangement of courses and specialties, the Department of Local Studies was renamed the Department of Taiwan and Regional Studies (hereinafter referred to as the Department) featuring degree programs in full-time Bachelor and Master, and part-time Master. The Department actually became the first of its kind offering Bachelor-specific courses.

Emphases and Directions for Development

The Department at emphasizes the mastering of the disciplines, theories, and research methods specifically related to “Taiwan Study”. Having not only departed from the contents and distinguishing features of Taiwan Study, but also acquired certain understanding of the neighboring areas, the Department aims to achieve the following objectives:
(1) The combination of Taiwan Study and regional research;
(2) The ability to put together field investigations and literature review;
(3) The ability to apply knowledge and skills of digital information into popularizing local cultures and conducting cross-field research.

In light of the issues on regional changes, globalization and localization for instance, raised during the past few decades, on state politics and administrative boundaries established by nation states in the 19th Century, and on the limitations in teaching, researching, and public understanding, the academic world has done quite some discussions on glolocalization and de-regionalization hoping to break through the conventional concepts based on nation states and administrative jurisdictions. Ideas of “Territorial Society”, “Local Study”, and “Cultural Area” formed in recent years from cross-discipline research are good examples, also an excellent foundation for the combination of Taiwan Study and regional research.

Although Taiwan Study is a relatively novel field research-wise, the richness of related literature throughout time and space – over-hundred-year-old and island-wide – and the easy access indeed equips possible research methods with at least two facets to deal with, i.e. field investigations, and literature review. Thus the Department regards the ability to employ both as one of its key developments.

The other key development, as far as a newly risen research field is concerned, is the combination as well as application of both Taiwan Study and Digital Science; to be more specific, teaching and popularization of Taiwan Study, and the initial scope of which shall cover value-added digital archives, multimedia integration, applications of Geographic Information System (GIS), etc., and also focus on making the contents and techniques applicable to a greater variety of fields including education, research, industry, and social communication just to name a few. By integrating theoretical inputs and technical applications, in addition to creating new topics for teaching and research, it is also expected to cultivate talents capable of employing knowledge and skills of digital information to popularize local cultures and conduct cross-field research.

Types of Degrees

• Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
• Master of Arts (M.A.)