Origin:

Literature stems from earth and people, recording people’s life experience and spiritual development in each historical period of time.
Taiwan had begun from the fishing and hunting life of the ancient natives. During hundreds of years of history, Taiwan had gone through the immigration and exploitation of Chinese people, colonization under Spanish and Dutch people in Europe, the rule under the Chengs in Ming Dynasty and Manchurian Qing, the occupation of the Japanese Empire, and the governance of R.O.C after WWII. Today, Taiwan is prosperous in economy and celebrates its political freedom and democracy, gaining recognition from the whole world, namely, “Taiwan Miracle.” The process of struggles weaved together by the hardship in history, vicissitudes among people, and their vigorous efforts is reflected in all literary genres. No matter it is myths and legends by word of mouth, or written literature, they record a variety of “Taiwan experience,” filled with people’s misery and wisdom. Whether we look back at history or look into the future, whether we take it as everlasting tradition for Taiwan or as a way of global exchange, “Taiwan literature” is a precious cultural asset.
For the past three and four hundred years, Taiwan literature has presented multiple and complicated genres and large numbers of talented writers have constantly contributed their works. Among all the world literatures, Taiwan literature has developed its own system. However, our research is not limited to literature of individual writers. Instead, we see literature from a broader perspective. The fields we focus on range from folk literature to contemporary works.

Brief History

Institute of Taiwan Literature was established in August 2002. 12 M.A. graduates are recruited every year. Since 2006, we have co-founded with the Institute of Linguistics and the Institute of Anthropology in College of Humanities and Social Sciences “Graduate Program on Taiwan Studies.” Each year, this program recruits 15 teachers interested in advanced studies; since 2010, minor undergraduate program “Literature and Creative Writing,” College of Humanities and Social Sciences has been established. Since August 2011, 3 Ph.D. students have been recruited every year. Our Institute focuses on research, creative writing, and advanced studies for teachers. Academic conferences for graduate students in NTU, NCKU, and NTHU are held annually. Graduate students from PRC, America, Europe, and other countries are welcomed to apply for our institute. Overseas academic exchange groups for teachers and students are organized as well.

Curriculum

Courses include: History of Taiwan Literature, Classical Taiwan Literature, Indigenous Peoples Literature, Taiwan Literature during Japanese Colonial Rule, Colonialism and Literary Production, Comparative Colonial Literature, Post-war Taiwan Literature, Modern and Contemporary Literature, Post-war Female Literature, Prose Studies, Studies on Modern Poetry, Taiwan Cinema, Taiwan Drama, Theories of Cultural Studies, Feminism/Gender Culture, Theories and Studies of Comparative Literature, Sociology of Narrative, etc.

Career Perspective

1. Public service.
2. High school and elementary school teachers
3. Literary creative writing, journalism, and critique.
4. Advanced studies, teaching and studying higher education, or being a researcher at the cultural department in the government, cultural industries, or research institutes.
5. Cultural and creative industries such as editing, publishing, copywriting, media, journalism, documentary filming, and community building.
6. Paper work and literary review and analysis in IT and digital industries.
7. Organizing folk culture and social movements.