A brief introduction:
1.Mission Statement:

In the 21st century, East Asia is the center of world attention. The region enjoys rapid economic growth, has abundant human resource, and nurtures colorful culture heritage. In response to constant interactions in the region, the challenge of globalization, and to meet to need of political and economic development in Taiwan, we are to cultivate future talent who are competent enough to springboard from East Asia to operate around the globe.

2.Background:

Following NTNU’s amalgamation with NUPS, 17 faculty members (among them, 10 are assistant professors, and 3 are PhD candidates) from the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences of NUPS had decided, in April 2005, to made some adjustment to the department blueprint set out at the consolidation of NTNU, NTUST, and NUPS. In order to set goals and future directive for teaching and research in East Asian studies, the 17 members were in consultation with Academia Sinica, National Taiwan University, the National Science Council, and faculties in NTNU. A proposal was completed in October and was sent for anonymous review by experts. In January 2006, a revision based on review results was submitted to the Ministry of Education. The proposal was approved on August 21st and the department was given the go-ahead to enroll students from academic year 2007. An organizing committee is set up in accordance with the preparatory schedule laid out by the university. Committee members include Chairperson of the Department of History Dr. Lin Liwui (林麗月); Chairperson of the Department of Geography Dr. Pan Zhaoyang (潘朝陽), Director of the Graduate Institute of Political Science Dr. Chen Wenzheng (陳文政), Prof. Zhou Wuwen (周愚文) of the Department of Education; Associate professors Liang Guochang (梁國常), Zheng Huijuan (鄭惠娟) and Qiu Xuanyu (邱炫煜) of the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences of the College of International Studies and Education for Overseas Chinese. In addition, Dr. Shen Zongxian (沈宗憲), Director of the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences is appointed as the director of the organizing committee. Faculty and staff members are assigned to various working groups, overseeing curriculum, enrollment, regulations, and teacher recruitment. Following the consolidation scheme approved by the Executive Yuan, 17 faculty members from the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences were to join the Department of East Asian Culture and Development. In addition, under the auspices of the Ministry of Education, nine more teachers will join the Department in the next four years to enlarge the faculty base.   

3.Objectives:

1. To foster the abilities to think globally, critically and reflectively: on the foundation of traditional Chinese and Taiwanese studies, an East Asian regional framework is used to consolidate content of cultural researches. The department approaches East Asian cultural studies from a brand new perspective, facilitates dialogs across the boundary of time and place, explores political and economic issues in depth and in broadness, and analyzes different dimensions of East Asian developments.
   
2. To nurture tolerant, respectful students who have well-rounded learning in the humanities: the curriculum design is interdisciplinary, reflecting cultural, political and economic diversity in East Asia. Students will gain a good understanding of this region and transform the knowledge into genuine concern for this region. Students can contribute to Taiwan-East Asia relations with what they learned, while being in step with world trend and be prepared for the challenges in the new era.
   
3. To equip students with knowledge about regional industries, economies, politics, and academia: we aim to build up students’ practical knowledge about different cultures and industries in East Asia. By conducting regional studies and observing the world trend, students obtain a good understanding of national interests and international relations. The curriculum also aims to cultivate students’ competence in gathering information, formulating policy, and participating in foreign affairs. Graduates of the department will serve as communication channels between Taiwan, East Asia, and the world. Moreover, the training lays a solid academic foundation in students to conduct studies in East Asian culture, in Chinese communities worldwide, and in overseas Chinese affairs

4.Future Development 

Our vision is to become a regional teaching and research center in East Asia.  

1. Short term Goal: to focus on overall development in East Asia, pay close attention political and economic organizations in the region, facilitate cultural exchanges, observe regional and global trends, and understand the lives of Chinese immigrants around the Pacific region, with special attention to Hakka Culture. To arrange study tours for students during school break and motivate them to pursue self-advancement.
2.  Medium-term Goal: to set up an East Asian study center, and establish databanks to preserve research results. To set up master programs to promote researches in this area. To cooperate with universities overseas to offer double-degree B.A. programs, M.A. programs and PhD programs.
3.  Long-term Goal: to establish PhD programs in which research results of various disciplines can be integrated to form a comprehensive theoretical structure, which can serve as guidance for national development.

5.Curriculum

1. Multilevel curriculum design: a step by step approach to help students gain comprehensive knowledge on East Asia. The curriculum begins with basic theories and general studies of the region, followed by courses on Northeast and Southeast of Asia, cross-strait relations and globalization. The curriculum includes issues such as historical changes, cultures and tradition, relationship between human and nature, ecology and resources, and political and economic development of various sub-regions of East Asia.
2. Multi-dimensional curriculum: Our curriculum covers local issues and regional issues in East Asia, and further expands to issues concerns the world. Different courses complement each other dialectically. Such curriculum design helps students gain multi-faceted knowledge in the course of learning.  
3. Integrated curriculum design: in regional studies, conventional division of disciplines often limits the scope of study, which in turn hinders the comprehensive understanding of regional issues and problems. To eliminate this hurdle, the department adopts an interdisciplinary curriculum which covers language, methodology, introductory and advanced information on East Asia. The curriculum begins with basic theories and general studies of the region, followed by courses on Northeast and Southeast of Asia, cross-strait relations and globalization. The interdisciplinary program allows students to have comprehensive understanding of the culture, tradition, politics, economies, and resource use in East Asia.
4. Focuses on specialized knowledge and practical application: Aside from a comprehensive curriculum design, we also include three areas of professional studies in the curriculum. In addition to taking courses on regional issues, students can take one or two professional courses, such as Culture Development, Overseas Chinese affairs, and Industry and Tourism, according to their area of interests and future career plans. The professional courses add depth and breadth to the program and allow students to gain comprehensive knowledge on Ease Asia. The department also organizes seminars regularly and invites experts and scholars from the government, industries, and academia to share their practical experience with students.    
5. Prepares students for future development need: a one-on-one mentor system is in place to assist students who intend to pursue advance studies to apply for graduate programs in Taiwan or abroad. There is also an internship program in cooperation with government agencies and different businesses, offering summer and winter job opportunities for senior students to obtain practical experience.  
   

6. Future prospects for our students 

1. In government agencies: work for international organizations related to culture and education, overseas Chinese affairs, diplomacy, culture administration, art administration. 
2. In industries: be employed in Taiwanese businesses or multinationals based in East Asia, as tourism and recreation manager, or in mass media. 
3. In cultural and educational institutions: work as Chinese teachers overseas, professional writers of local culture and history, playwrights, journalists, or editors, or work on community development and culture industry.  
4. In the academia: apply for graduate programs in Taiwan and abroad and pursue advance studies in history, geography, politics, Southeast Asian studies, and tourism management.