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Foundation projectˇG
Integrate the associations between people, time, and
place in southern Taiwan.
Continuing projectˇG
Make our foundation project a key part of humanities
research in Taiwan.
1. The Importance of the
Plan
Because each nation is composed
of regions, research on local regions has become widespread.
The whole cannot be understood without first understanding
the component parts. This explains why we should focus
on regional research, especially as localization is
thriving in Taiwan. Moreover, Yung-Ho Tsao reminds us
of the intimate connection between Taiwan and the oceans.
ˇ§We should explore Taiwan from the viewpoint of its
international position, which includes shipping routes
within East Asia and beyond.ˇ¨ Until now, however, there
have not been any such research centers that focus on
Taiwan, and Taiwan Studies is not yet found in many
places. This is the motivation behind establishing a
world class Taiwan Humanities Center.
2. The Importance of Southern Taiwan
Historically, the development
of Taiwan commenced in southern Taiwan. For example,
Dayuan was the capital of Taiwan during the Dutch occupation,
and Anping was a stronghold during the Zheng Chenggong
era. Southern Taiwan also indisputably played an important
role in cultural transmission and raising the cultural
level of the Taiwanese people. However, until now Taiwan
has suffered from an intensely unbalanced distribution
of resources between north and south, manifested in
economic, political, and cultural inequality. All of
these problems will affect Taiwanˇ¦s future if left unsolved.
To help remedy the problem, the Taiwan Humanities Center
in southern Taiwan at Chung Cheng University will view
Taiwan from other side of the island and reassess the
importance of southern Taiwan.
3. The Definition of Southern Taiwan
Southern Taiwan is defined from three different perspectives:
(1) From the viewpoint of immigration, the initial influx
of population was centered around the Jianan plain,
and development has spread out around it.
(2). In terms of geographic structure, the area from
Puli and Hualian southward, and from the Central Peaks
westward,can be defined as southern Taiwan.
(3) As for humanistic development, Taiwanese define
Dinggang as northern Taiwan and Xiagang as southern
Taiwan.
This
plan intends to encompass all three definitions: to
take the Jianan plain as the center, extending southward
from Puli, from the Central Peaks westward, and including
the Xiagang area. Research will also focus on the interaction
between the Taiwan Straits and the East Asia maritime
region.
4. The Advantage Locating a
Taiwan Humanities Research Center at National Chung
Cheng University
As National Chung Cheng University
is located in southern Taiwan, we have a geographic
advantage for researching native culture, coupled with
a profound understanding of local culture. Moreover,
we approach Taiwanˇ¦s history with abundant knowledge
of how to handle various databases and field investigations.
In addition, as a comprehensive research university,
we have abundant resources in the humanities, social
sciences, and technology. This puts us at the top of
southern Taiwanˇ¦s academia, and also gives us a favorable
position among Area Studies in Asia.
5. Innovative Methods
This project is designed to
achieve a comprehensive understanding of southern Taiwan
through humanistic research, and to realize a breakthrough
in the understanding of Taiwanˇ¦s history. The research
results will include findings in the humanities, architecture,
and biology, giving a comprehensive view of southern
Taiwan. Most of all, our plan stresses the connections
between people, time, and place, showing how their interaction
has transformed through history. In addition, we will
utilize new historical methodologies, such as new methods
of cultural history, in addition to standard modes of
historical research.
6. The Utilization of Info-Tech
While exploring the connections
between people, time, and place in southern Taiwanese
history, it is necessary to employ information technology.
Databases, for example, can minimize expenditures of
time and money and provide the most convenient way to
search hundreds of thousands of pieces of data. |
