International Master‵s Program in Inter-Asia Cultural Studies, National Chengchi University

Chinese version

Note: On July 20, the NCCU Office of Academic Affairs revised the Class Selection Schedule for 2026 Fall Semester. Both the first initial course selection (第一階段初選登記) and  enrollment for cross-campus course (國內校際選課申請) will begin on August 25. Please see the details below.

This course explores contemporary Asian popular culture through Taiwan New Cinema, international film festivals, drag culture in Taiwan, queer studies, and Benjamin studies.

The first two lectures focus on cinema. We will begin with Taiwan New Cinema, examining how filmmakers developed innovative approaches to film sound that reshaped the sonic identity of Taiwanese cinema in the 1980s and beyond. The second one offers a behind-the-scenes look at the Cannes Film Festival, drawing on firsthand professional experience to explore how international film festival networks shape the circulation and visibility of Asian films.

The third lecture focuses on the historical development of drag culture in Taiwan, using drag performance as a starting point to engage with existing theories of gender and sexuality.

The fourth and fifth lectures focus on Walter Benjamin. Students will be introduced to key concepts in his thought and explore how contemporary European scholars continue to engage with his intellectual legacy. The lectures will also draw on film analysis to examine the complex relationships among images, history, art, and politics.

At the classroom session on the final day morning, Reuters senior editor James Pomfret will discuss the challenges of reporting in Asia and Greater China at a time of growing China-U.S. geopolitical tensions and uncertainty.

1. Course Information

• Course Name: Special Topics on Inter-Asia Popular Culture Studies
• Course Dept: International Master's Program in Inter-Asia Cultural Studies/M/1&2, NCCU
• Instructor：Professor Hui-Wen Liu (Director of IACS-NCCU)
• Fall Semester, 2026
• Course No.：465949001
• Type of Credit: Elective
• Credit(s)：1

2. Course Overview

2.1. This intensive graduate-level course will take place from July 13 to July 20, 2026. It consists of 18 instructional hours and is worth 1 academic credit. Course grades will be counted toward the Fall 2026 semester. Graduate students and senior undergraduate students are welcome to apply.

2-2. Students will engage with inter-Asia case studies on media and cultural issues through interdisciplinary guest lectures by international scholars.

3. Course Schedule

※ The schedule may be adjusted according to the guest speakers’ teaching plans. Any updates will be announced in advance on the NCCU Moodle.

4. Course Policies

4-1. Learning Platform
This course will be conducted through online distance learning. We use NCCU Moodle for course announcements, assignment submission, and class interaction. Non-NCCU students who require access to Moodle could read the attached guideline before registration.

4-2. Course Format
This course is taught bilingually in Chinese and English. During the first five days, classes will be conducted online via Google Meet, and the meeting links will be announced on NCCU Moodle. The final day includes an in-person session, featuring a special lecture in the morning and final presentations in the afternoon. To earn course credit, students are expected to attend the in-person session, participate fully in course activities, and complete all required learning tasks..

4-3. Attendance and Participation
Students are required to submit a daily reflection after each class as a record of attendance and an important part of the course's learning process. To encourage participation and engagement with the course, students who do not submit reflections for twice consecutively will no longer have access to course materials and resources on Moodle.

4-4. Course Materials
Required readings will be posted on the course Moodle platform. Students are responsible for downloading the materials in advance.

5. Assignments and Course Requirements

5-1. Daily Reflections
Students are required to submit their daily reflections to the Moodle platform by 11:59 PM on the same day. Late or missing submissions may affect attendance records and final course grades. Reflections may be written in either Chinese or English, and no specific format is required.

5-2. Final Presentation

• Students are required to complete a final presentation. Final presentations will take place during the last class session and may be delivered in either Chinese or English. Students may choose different formats for their final presentations.
• Presentation guidelines and scheduling details will be announced during the July 16 class session and posted on the Moodle.
• Students must upload their final presentation to the Moodle by 11:59 PM on July 27, 2026. Late or missing submissions may affect the final course grade.

5-3. Academic Integrity
Students are expected to uphold academic integrity and avoid plagiarism.

5-4. Guidelines for the Use of Generative AI Tools
Any use of ChatGPT or other generative AI tools in daily reflections or final presentations must be clearly acknowledged, including the tools used and the ways in which they contributed to the work.

6. Evaluation Criteria

• Attendance and active participation，50％
• Final Presentation and discussion，50％
• Extra Credit: Participation in Moodle Discussion

7. Important Notes

7-1. Registration is now open until July 5, 2026. Please complete the online registration form (https://forms.gle/cLRvLj3PsVHk1z5Z8). Successful registrants will be notified by email.

7-2. About course selection

• NCCU students: Course selection will be handled by the teaching assistant during the first initial course selection (August 25–26, 2026).
• Inter-University Course Taking: Students from other campuses who wish to take courses at NCCU should follow NCCU’s inter-university course selection regulations. Students are required to complete the online registration through NCCU’s Cross‐campus Course Selection System from August 25 to September 18, 2026.
• Please refer to the attachments below for the following documents:
  Class Selection Schedule for 2026 Fall Semester (Announcement),
  NCCU Course Selection Guide, and
  Guideline for Cross‐campus Course Selection System

7-3. Students enrolled in the course are required to pay the credit fee in accordance with the NCCU Payment Notice for the Fall 2026 Semester.

7-4. Students who are not officially enrolled at their institution during that semester will not be eligible to receive academic credit for the course.

7-5. Students are advised to confirm with their department or graduate institute in advance whether the credits earned from this course may be counted toward graduation requirements.

7-6. Any updates or changes will be announced through the latest notices issued by the IACS-NCCU program. For further inquiries, please contact the IACS-NCCU Office at: iacsnccu@nccu.edu.tw

2026亞際文化研究夏日課程 Summer School in Inter-Asia Cultural Studies
主辦單位：國立政治大學亞際文化研究活計碩士學位學程 (IACS-NCCU)
協辦單位：政治大學傳播學院、台灣聯合大學系統政大台聯大辦公室