Chiang Ching-kuo International Sinological Centre at Charles University in Prague

Issues of Historical and Contemporary Taiwan

Prof. Tai Wan-chin (Tamkang University)
Five lectures, Nov. 17 – 21, 2008

LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION: English

NUMBER OF CREDITS: Two Credits

COURSE DESCRIPTION

China is increasingly important in the world. Taiwan is more than strategically located. In view of China's ascendancy, it is both interesting and important to understand the twist and turns of the hisotry of Taiwan, the democracy development of Taiwan, Taiwan's ongoing political rapprochement with China as well as Taiwan's challenges and achievements in diplomacy. This courses aims at providing the students with the basic knowledge of Taiwan's unusual status in the world. It is designed to enable students to strengthen their analytical ability in studying the issues and opportunities now facing Taiwan. In other words, it is more than a history course. Students are expected to exchange their views about the history and the issues confronting Taiwan with the instructor without reservations. Attendance at this course will hopefully enhance the interest of students in the history and the international politics of East Asia. Students are urged to read the recommended publications before each of the five sessions.

Every class session will consist of two main parts: lecture and floor discussion.

RECOMMENDED READINGS

1. Writings by Other Authors

Brown, Melissa J. Is Taiwan Chinese? The Impact of Culture, Power, and Migration on Changing Identities . Berkeley , California : University of California Press, 2004,

Bush, Richard C. and O’Hanlon, Michael E. A War Like No Other: The Truth about China’s Challenge to America. New Jersey : John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2007.

Copper, John F. Words across the Taiwan Strait : A Critique of Beijing ’s “White Paper” on China ’s Reunification . Lanham , Maryland : University Press of America, Inc., 1995.

Davidson, James W. The Island of Formosa : Past and Present . London : Macmillan & Company, 1903. Reprinted , Taipei , Taiwan : SMC Publishing Inc., 2005.

Fairbank, John King. The United States and China . New York : The Viking Press, 1958.

Gries, Peter Hays. China’s New Nationalism: Pride, Politics, and Diplomacy. Berkeley , California : University of California Press, 2004.

Kang, David C. China Rising: Peace, Power, and Order in East Asia . New York : Columbia University Press, 2007.

Kerr, George H. Formosa Betrayed . London : Eyre & Spottiswoode, 1966.

Lampton, David M. The Three Faces of Chinese Power: Might, Money, and Minds. Berkeley , California : University of California Press, 2008.

Lin, April C. J. And Keating, Jerome F. Islands in the Stream: A Quick Case Study of Taiwan's Complex History. 3rd ed. Taipei: SMC Publishing Inc., 2005.

Oksenberg, Michel and Oxnam, Robert B. Dragon and Eagle: United States-China Relations. New York : Basic Books, Inc., 1973.

Roy , Denny. Taiwan : A Political History. Ithaca , New York : Cornell University Press, 2003.

Tucker, Nancy Bernkopf. ed. Dangerous Strait: the U.S.-Taiwan-China Crisis. New York : Columbia University Press, 2005.

Wheeler, J. W. ed. Chinese Divide: Evolving Relations Between Taiwan and Mainland China . Indianapolis , Indiana : Hudson Institute, 1996.

2. Writings by the Instructor

Tai, Wan-chin. “The U.S. Policy toward Taiwan in 1949 and the Mission of Livingston T. Merchant.” Tamkang Journal of International Affairs. Vol. IX, No. III , January 2006, pp. 93-125.

Tai, Wan-chin. “Communication Between Taiwan and the USA at the Time of the 1958 Quemoy Crisis: Dulles' Meeting with Chiang Kai-shek.” Tamkang Journal of International Affairs. Vol. VIII, No. II, October 2004. pp. 47-108.

Tai, Wan-chin. “Nixon’s Visit to the China Mainland in 1972: A Review of Brezhnev’s Response after Three Decades.” Tamkang Journal of International Affairs. Vol. VII, No. I , Fall 2002, pp. 44-85.

Tai, Wan-chin. A Divided China : the Response by the Truman Administration (in Chinese). Taipei : Shiying, 2000.

Tai, Wan-chin. “ U.S. Intervention in March 1996 Taiwan Strait Crisis: Interpretation from the Model of Coercive Diplomacy.” Tamkang Journal of International Affairs. Vol. II, No. I, March 1998, pp.1-20.

Tai, Wan-chin. “Moscow-Beijing Security Relations : from the Perspective of Taipei after the 1996 Taiwan Straits Crisis.” Tamkang Journal of International Affairs . Vol. I, No. I, March 1997, pp. 35-53.

OUTLINE OF FIVE SESSIONS

November 17 (Monday Morning): History of Tawian (Covering Taiwan's History before the 20th Century and Taiwan's History in the 20th Century; Also including a Review of Taiwan's History of Relations with both Japan and the United States).

November 18 (Tuesday Morning): Taiwan's Current Internal Politics (Including Party Politics in Taiwan and Elections in Taiwan)

November 19 (Wendesday Morning): Taiwan's Current Relations with China (Including the Rapprochement by President Ma with China).

November 20 (Thursday Morning): Taiwan's Current Relations with the United States

November 21 (Friday Morning): Taiwan's Current Relations with Other East Asian Countries (Including Taiwan's Relations with Russia, South Korea, Japan and ASEAN Countries)

GRADING

Students are required to tender a typewritten report (double-spaced) of no less than five pages before the end of the last session. The topic of every report must fall within the scope covered by this course. The written report will be the sole determinant of a grade.