NCHU Course Outline

Course Name	(中) 國際政治與兩岸關係(6097)
	(Eng.) International Politics and Cross-Strait Relations
Offering Dept	Graduate Institute of International Politics
Course Type	Elective	Credits	3	Teacher	LIU TAI-TING
Department	International Master Program in Asia and China Studies/Graduate	Language	English	Semester	2025-FALL
Course Description	According to The Economist magazine, the Taiwan Strait is widely known as the most perilous region on earth. The survival, security, and development of Taiwan are intricately linked to its cross-Strait relations. However, numerous factors impact cross-strait relations, extending beyond the scope of bilateral interactions between Taipei and Beijing. A significant portion is determined by the external international pattern and order. Therefore, this course aims to provide an in-depth comprehension and analysis of the current cross-strait relations from the perspective of international politics. This course will be divided into four parts: 1. Firstly, it will introduce the fundamental concepts and theories of international political analysis, including sovereignty, power, democratic peace theory, economic interdependence, identity, international norms and rules. The theories involved are realism, liberalism, constructivism, and others. 2. Secondly, based on the central concepts, the course will delve into the origin and evolution of the contemporary international order. This will cover the historical scope, encompassing the formation and expansion of the Westphalian system, the two world wars, and the subsequent bipolar system of the Cold War. It will also cover the new world order that emerged after the end of the Cold War. 3. Thirdly, the course will establish the analytical framework of cross-strait relations, including the history of cross-strait relations, research methods and theories, among others. The principal question in this part is: To what extent will changes in the international order affect cross-Strait relations? 4. Lastly, this course will explore various issues and policies relevant to cross-strait relations. Some of these issues and policies include the evolution of the external strategy of the Republic of China (Taiwan), the evolution of the Chinese Communist Party's strategy towards Taiwan, Taiwan's democratisation and the rise of Taiwanese nationalism, the triangular relationship between the United States, Mainland China, and Taiwan, WTO and cross-strait economic and trade relations, the current situation and prospects of cross-strait mass media and cultural exchanges, and the past, present, and future of cross-strait negotiations.
Prerequisites				self-directed learning in the course	Y

Relevance of Course Objectives and Core Learning Outcomes(%)			Teaching and Assessment Methods for Course Objectives
Course Objectives	Competency Indicators	Ratio(%)	Teaching Methods	Assessment Methods
- understand international politics and cross-strait relations - increase international vision - envision future trends			topic Discussion/Production Discussion Lecturing	Written Presentation Attendance Oral Presentation Assignment
Course Content and Homework/Schedule/Tests Schedule
Week Course Content Week 1 Introduction Week 2 Concepts and Theories of International Politics 1: Sovereignty and Power Week 3 Concepts and Theories of International Politics 2: Democratic Peace and Economic Interdependence Week 4 Concepts and Theories of International Politics 3: Identity and International norms and rules Week 5 Origin and Evolution of the Contemporary International Order 1: The Formation and Expansion of the Westphalian System Week 6 Origin and Evolution of the Contemporary International Order 2: The Two World Wars and the Cold War Week 7 No Class Week 8 Origin and Evolution of the Contemporary International Order 3: The Post-cold War Order Week 9 Analytical Framework of Cross-strait Relations 1: History of Cross-strait Relations Week 10 Analytical Framework of Cross-strait Relations 2: Research Methods and Theories Week 11 Issues and Policies Relevant to Cross-strait Relations 1: The Evolution of The External Strategy of the Republic of China (Taiwan) Week 12 Issues and Policies Relevant to Cross-strait Relations 2: The Evolution of the Chinese Communist Party's Strategy towards Taiwan Week 13 Issues and Policies Relevant to Cross-strait Relations 3: Taiwan's Democratisation and the Rise of Taiwanese Nationalism Week 14 Issues and Policies Relevant to Cross-strait Relations 4: The Triangular Relationship between the United States, Mainland China, and Taiwan Week 15 Issues and Policies Relevant to Cross-strait Relations 5: WTO and Cross-strait Economic and Trade Relations Week 16 Issues and Policies Relevant to Cross-strait Relations 6: The current situation and prospects of cross-strait mass media exchanges Conclusion No Class self-directed learning
Evaluation
1. attendance：10% 2. discussion/participation：15% 3. mid-term report：25% 4. final report：50%
Textbook & other References
There is no assigned textbook for this course. The required reading for each class is drawn from a variety of academic journals and book chapters.
Teaching Aids & Teacher's Website
N/A
Office Hours
By appointment. Email: ttliu@dragon.nchu.edu.tw
Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs(Link URL)
16.Peace and Justice include experience courses：N

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Update Date, year/month/day：None	Printed Date, year/month/day：2025 / 6 / 18
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