I have moved into my beautiful office in the Social Science Building at National Taiwan University. I can't believe they reserve the best views for the visitors, but they do. And I have students. They are taking my 5-week minicourse, "The Rise and Fall of Democracy Around the World." And based on our first class, I think they are from all around the world, too, which is just … [Read more...] about I Have an Office! And Students! Yay!
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New Things to Try
I've been to Taiwan and Shanghai many times, and altogether I've spent a few years in those two places. As a matter of fact, I think I'm in a bit of a rut. I've decided that this time, inspired by the Fulbright spirit, I'm going to push myself to try some new things. I'll be building a list on this post, and reporting on my progress. I also welcome you to suggest things you … [Read more...] about New Things to Try
About this Site
This site chronicles my adventure as a Cross-Strait Fulbright Scholar, a role that will allow me to spend time researching Taiwanese youth in Taiwan and in mainland China. I am a political scientist and teacher. I’ve been studying the Chinese-speaking world since the early 1980s. Since 1993 I’ve been a professor at Davidson College in Davidson, NC. I’ve written three books, … [Read more...] about About this Site
NTU Mini Course Overview
The Rise and Fall of Democracies around the World The late 1980s was an exciting period for students of comparative politics, as it saw an explosion in the number of countries seeking to become more democratic – including Taiwan. However, several of the newly-democratic nations of the 1980s are now under non-democratic governments once again, and many political scientists … [Read more...] about NTU Mini Course Overview
Course Texts and Grading
Textbook: Larry Diamond, The Spirit of Democracy: The Struggle to Build Free Societies Throughout the World Readings and assignments should be completed before the class session for which they are assigned. Grading: Assignment 1: 15%Assignment 2: 15%Assignment 3: 20%Assignment 4: 20% Assignment 5: 20%Attendance and Participation: 10% … [Read more...] about Course Texts and Grading
