Introduction/系所簡介
Brief Introduction to the Department
The History Department of Tunghai University was set up since the establishment of the University (in 1955). It has been in existence for more than 60 years, and is one of the history departments in Taiwan with a long history. The Graduate (Institute) of History was set up in 1970. When the Department was set up, it was headed by Professor Chong-Hong Liu who originally taught in the History Department of National Taiwan University, and there were the other professors such as Yan-Feng Chu, Wen-Zheng Lan, Le-Tong Chi, Shao-Chen Yang and Malone ( Surname). In the following 20 years, because the University was a member of the United Board for Christian Higher Education in Asia（UBCHEA）, there were a number of foreign teachers recruited. The Department adopted a small-class system from the first to the 17th year, and there were only a dozen graduates each year. The goal of the Graduate Institute is to cultivate talents in historical research, and most alumni teach in colleges and universities. Since 1972 the United Board gradually decreased its support to the University. The Department began to increase the enrollment quota, and there was a turnover of the teachers as those who joined the University since its establishment gradually retired and new teachers joined. However, the Department has always been committed to teaching.
Currently the Department recruits 58 freshmen and the Graduate Institute recruits 8 each year.
Teaching and Research Development Priorities/教學及研究發展重點
Liberal Arts Learning Objectives and Education Goal
Since its establishment in 1955, Tunghai University has always stressed the importance of all-round and whole-person education of liberal arts and interdisciplinary learning. General education and labor education have been implemented for more than half a century with deep affirmation at home and abroad, and the University still continues improving its effort in these aspects in recent years. The curriculum design of the Department is in line with Tunghai University’s core philosophy of education. In the curriculum structure, generally one third is required courses, one third is elective courses, and the other one third is interdisciplinary curriculum of general education. In the internal aspect, the curriculum is divided into four major areas: Taiwan history, Chinese history, world history, and methodology and applied curriculum. The education goal of the master program is to cultivate history research talents, and therefore the curriculum focuses on training and research methods and thesis writing, so as to enhance the level of research and theses.
Rich Learning Resources
In addition to a large number of books and the rich network database added in recent years in the general library of the University, the Department also has its own large-scale library with a collection of more than thirty thousand books to provide reference for students'daily study.
To promote the interaction between history knowledge and social science, the Department has gradually opened some history theme courses. In order to meet the demand of the future workplace, the Department also requires students to pay attention to the application of languages and computer science, and courses such as (historical site field study, verbal history record production, historical documentary production and museum science ) are set up due to the need for the promotion of history and culture. The Department’s exchange student program with the history departments of renowned universities in mainland China has been gradually promoted. All these are an important part in training the students to become modern people with a global vision
Prospects after Graduation/就業市場(畢業出路)
The History Department of Tunghai University's career planning for graduates is categorized into four main categories: employment, further education, teaching positions, and public service.
Regarding employment planning, options include positions in publishing and editing, media and journalism, secretarial roles, project management, cultural and historical research, foundations, and social organizations. The department's curriculum is designed to enhance students' foundational knowledge and practical skills for employment through applied history courses.
For those interested in teaching positions, students are encouraged to pursue an education program to obtain qualifications as middle or high school history teachers.
Regarding further education, students are encouraged to apply to relevant graduate programs such as history, Taiwan studies, local history, Taiwanese culture, museum studies, and adult education, or interdisciplinary programs in fields like arts, anthropology, sociology, national development, economics, East Asian studies, and linguistics.
In terms of public service, students are encouraged to participate in civil service examinations for positions in various cultural institutions such as the Ministry of Culture, cultural bureaus, cultural centers, local historical societies, libraries, National Archives Administration, and museums.
Department Contact Information/系所聯繫窗口
TEL : +886-4-2359-0209
Email : history@thu.edu.tw