"Taiwan Studies" has always been a forte of NTU's research and teaching. In order to expand the vision of our students, and to promote the understanding of international students about the various aspects of Taiwan, starting from this academic year, the "Taiwan Studies" curriculum planned by the Institute of Taiwan Literature will further integrate the related courses within the University, and expand its original six areas of research into eleven areas, and add new courses taught in English. After the expansion, the courses will include: Taiwanese literature, Taiwanese language, Taiwanese art, Taiwan history, Taiwan politics, economy, society and law, Taiwan gender and ethnic groups, Taiwan culture, Taiwan's natural environments, Taiwan biology and agriculture, Taiwan technology, Taiwanese medicine and public health, etc.

NTU's curriculum has always been known for its diversity and completeness, in which studies on Taiwan's natural environment, biology, agriculture, technology and medicine /public health have been quite outstanding. This year's "Taiwan Studies Currriculum" fully capitalizes on this advantage, when other school's "Taiwan Studies Curriculum" still focus on humanities and social sciences, NTU takes the initiative to expand the areas of research, and successfully integrates the related courses in other departments to show that NTU is a comprehensive university. After expansion, the new curriculum will still be based on humanities and social sciences, but also incorporates courses on sciences, engineering, medicine and agriculture. The planning of the courses broadens students'vision on Taiwan, and thorough interdisciplinary teaching humanistic concerns will be implemented. This is especially significant in that the curriculum augments the pluralistic values of students.

In addition, to promote the understanding of international students and exchange students about Taiwan, and to promote the future international influence of Taiwan, this semester's "Taiwan Studies Curriculum" adds four courses taught in English, which are: Introduction to Taiwan Modern and Contemporary Culture, Languages in Taiwan, Exploring Taiwan—Geographical Environment and Resources, and Scientific Taiwan. In the future, the "Taiwan Studies Curriculum" plans to offer at least 3-5 courses taught in English so that international students can choose, and continues to expand the areas of courses taught in English while actively recruiting international students. This will allow outstanding international students to gain a comprehensive understanding of Taiwan, while promote the visibility of Taiwan and NTU in the international arena.

This semester's "Taiwan Studies Curriculum" plans a series of auxiliary teaching activities, which aims to explore Taiwan from the angles of science, art and humanities and help the students to understand the pluralistic aspects of Taiwan. The auxiliary teaching activities which have always been carried out are: "Scientific Taiwan—From Typhoon Morakot to talk about weather forecasting and Disaster prevention", "Art Taiwan—Creativity Means Life", "Literary Taiwan—Mr. Yin-Zhen Chen, Special Exhibition by the Human Society", etc. All these activities attracted many people from both in and out of campus, and the lectures were all packed to the full and received good critiques and warm responses.

Of which, the "Scientific Taiwan—From Typhoon Morakot to talk about weather forecasting and disaster prevention" was anchored by Vice President Dr. George Tai-Jen Chen, and participated by the Central Weather Bureau, the National Science and Technology Center for Disaster Reduction, and a team from the Department of Geosciences who conducted a in depth analysis and discussion on Typhoon Morakot which caused severe damages to the Southern part of Taiwan. "Art Taiwan—Creativity Means Life" was hosted by Stanley Lai, our artist in residence, who talked the importance of creativity from his personal experience. "Literary Taiwan—Yin-Zhen Chen, special exhibition by the Human Society" displayed the photos, illustrations, manuscripts, letters, literary journals of Yin-Zhen Chen throughout the various stages in his life, along with lectures and documentary film showings , and many photojournalists from the "Human Society" magazine were invited to share their representative photos to witness the diverse ways in which Mr. Yin-Zhen Chen participated in society.

The "Taiwan Studies Curriculum" was mapped out by the Institute of Taiwan Literature. Students who opt to choose this curriculum must choose 20 academic credits which cross three disciplines. For related regulations please consult the webpage of the Institute of Taiwan Literature at: http://www.gitl.ntu.edu.tw.