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History
As Taiwan's oldest established graduate program in American Studies, Tamkang University's Division of American studies, Graduate Institute of the Americans has steadily enjoyed a reputation for excellence since it was first founded in 1973. In 1983, for example, the ROC Ministry of Education rated the Institute as No.1 in the field of international studies in the country. And in 1992, the Institute's primary publication on American Studies was acclaimed the best of ten university journals by the same governmental agency.
Designed to prepare students for teaching and professional jobs in the broad area of American studies, the program offers courses of academic preparation leading to the degrees of Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy. Interdisciplinary by definition as well as practice, the Institute prepares students to become knowledgeable specialists via a broad range of classes and seminars focusing on American history, literature, politics, law, culture, economy, diplomacy, education, mass communications, foreign and defense policy, social issues, as well as training in modern social-science methodology. Conducted largely within an English language setting, the Institute enables students to gain a panoramic view of America as a nation and as a civilization, its place in history, and its impact on the world. Graduates from the Institute have successfully pursued careers in education, research institutions, business community, and government & foreign service.
The Master of Arts(M.A.)degree in American Studies requires the completion of 33 lecture & seminar credit hours, plus a 4 credit hour thesis. The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph. D.) degree in American Studies requires the completion of 30-36 additional lecture ＆ seminar credit hours, plus a 6 credit hour dissertation seminar. The number of students annually recruited for the MA program is approximately 17, and for the Ph D program 3. Students who have graduated with an MA in fields related to American Studies from other accredited universities are welcome to apply to the Institute’s Ph .D. program. Overall, the objective of both degree programs is to graduate well-prepared, socially conscious men and women for the country’s future.
In recent years, the Institute has assisted numerous M.A. &Ph.D candidates by sending them to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and other American universities, for conducting scholarly research during the summer vacation. In particular, since 1989 the Institute has begun sending its most promising Ph.D. candidates overseas for a full semester with fellowship support. Opportunities such as these, we believe, have contributed significantly to our students’ genuine appreciation and understanding of the complexities of American thought and culture.
