For Australians, Taiwan typically figures only as an issue in the geo-politics of the East Asian region, as one half of “Cross-Strait Relations”. Yet, it is a fully functioning democracy and an independent state in all but name that can be studied in its own right. Taiwan has almost the same population as Australia but is about half the size of Tasmania. Like Australia, its indigenous population plays a significant part in politics and society, and Taiwan is also moving towards legalising same-sex marriage. This course provides an overview of contemporary Taiwan’s society and politics while also paying attention to the historical events that formed its present shape and which remain live issues today. It will analyse Taiwan’s political system and its established and new parties; its ethnic, linguistic and cultural mix; its economics and class relations; indigenous politics; questions of gender and sexuality; environmental activism; and the growing sense of what it means to be “Taiwanese”. The course will use Taiwanese films to supplement the lectures and seminars.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Analyse the pre-1949 history of Taiwan, and trace its later developments in the political and economic contexts of first the martial law period and then the democratic period.
   
2. Describe and explain the history of and relations between different groups of Han Chinese on Taiwan.
   
3. Evaluate current social tensions and developments, including the rise of grass-roots political and social movements.
   
4. Analyse the crucial importance of debates over Taiwanese identity, with particular reference to gender relations, indigenous peoples, and environmental politics.
   
5. Demonstrate skills of communication, both through oral discussion and written exposition. 

Research-Led Teaching

This course is being convened and taught by specialists in Taiwanese politics, society, history, and culture. The topics in the course and the readings are based on the research of both teachers.

Examination Material or equipment

Only writing materials required.

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

Comments on assessments

Face-to-face meetings will be held with students whose first assignment is unsatisfactory before next assignment is due.

Face-to-face meetings will be held with other students on request.

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Mon. 13.1.25Lecture and Seminar topic:Introduction, Taiwan Before 1945Film: Southward Expansion to Taiwan
2	Tue. 14.1.25Lecture and Seminar topic:Taiwan Post-1945Film: Detention
3	Wed. 15.1.25Lecture and Seminar topic:Taiwanese PoliticsFilm: Wave Makers
4	Thu. 16.1.25Lecture and Seminar topic:Cross-Strait RelationsFilm: It Takes Two to Tango
5	Fri. 17.1.25Lecture and Seminar topic:Taiwanese Economy, Taiwan's MilitaryFilm: See You, Lovable Strangers	Assessment exercise one due Sat. 18, 11:55pm.
6	Mon. 20.1.25Lecture and Seminar topic:ReligionFilm: Mazu Pilgrimage
7	Tue. 21.1.25Lecture and Seminar topic:Taiwanese Indigenous PeoplesFilm: Gaga
8	Wed. 22.1.25Lecture and Seminar topic:Taiwan's Environment, Taiwan's Legal SystemFilm: Taiwan from Above
9	Thu. 23.1.25Lecture and Seminar topic:Gender and Sexuality, MediaFilm: Small Talk	Assessment exercise two due Sat. 24, 11:55 pm.
10	Fri. 24.1.25Lecture topic:Overview, conclusions and general observationsAfternoon: Exam	Exam
11	Fri. 7.2.25	Essay due

Tutorial Registration

None required. Tutorial groups will be formed on the first day of the course.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Assessment One	10 %	18/01/2025	20/01/2025	1,2,5
Assessment Two	10 %	25/01/2025	27/01/2025	1,2,5
Essay	40 %	07/02/2025	21/02/2025	3,4,5
Participation	10 %	24/01/2025	24/01/2025	1,2,3,4,5
Examination	30 %	24/01/2025	24/01/2025	1,2,3,4,5

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines , which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Extenuating Circumstances Application
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
• Code of practice for teaching and learning

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Skills website. In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Participation

10%

Examination(s)

30%

Assessment Task 1

Assessment One

Taking one of the films screened on the first five sessions of this course, assess its value as an interpretation of Taiwan's history and its contemporary relevance.

Length 500 words.

Assessment Task 2

Assessment Two

Taking one of the films screened on sessions six to nine of this course, assess its value as an interpretation of Taiwan's society and its contemporary relevance.

Length 500 words

Assessment Task 3

Essay

This essay is an opportunity to address one topic that relates to the themes of the course. Students should have discussed with, and had their proposed topic approved by, Prof. Penny or one of the tutors.

Length 2000-2500 words

Assessment Task 4

Participation

Assessment Task 5

Examination

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.

The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.

The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.

 

The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

Referencing Requirements

The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material. Any use of artificial intelligence must be properly referenced. Failure to properly cite use of Generative AI will be considered a breach of academic integrity.

Returning Assignments

Assignment one will be returned 2025-1-20

Assignment two will be returned 2025-1-27

Essay will be returned 2025-2-21

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Resubmission of Assignments

Resubmission will follow the policies of CAP.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Accessibility for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents all ANU students