Sustainable Development Goals
Abstract/Objectives
This course begins with the birth of a new nation—the Republic of China—in 1912, the country to which both students and teachers belong. It explores the legacy and profound influence of the preceding regime, as well as the strategies and maneuverings of those who shaped the nascent state through decision-making and leadership. Furthermore, it examines the sweeping transformations in thought, ideology, and institutions within society that, in turn, shaped foreign policy. Most crucially, the course delves into the immense pressures exerted by the international environment—where great powers clashed and the law of the jungle prevailed—resulting in a series of events that not only influenced but, in many cases, determined the nation's fate for much of the twentieth century.
Results/Contributions
This course integrates historical analysis with international relations frameworks to explore the development of the Republic of China and its evolving foreign relations. Through this course, students will:
- Reevaluate traditional, rigid, and even melancholic perspectives on history, gaining a more dynamic and nuanced understanding.
- Comprehend the intricate connections between leadership decisions, domestic political, social, and economic changes, and shifts in the international power structure—along with their potential impact on the nation.
- Use the Republic of China as a concrete case study to reflect on the fundamental conditions necessary for any nation's survival and development within the international system, while cultivating a global perspective through the study of evolving international dynamics.
- Develop the ability to articulate, analyze, and critically assess foreign relations, enhancing their capacity for expression, strategic thinking, and analytical reasoning.
Keywords
ROC, Foreign Relations of the ROC, International Relations, Cross-strait Relations, Foreign Policy, Theories of International Relations
Contact Information
張棋炘
chishin@gmail.com