| SCHOOL OF ARTS AND SOCIAL SCIENCES Tel:886-2-28819471 ext.6101-6103 Fax:886-2-28837110 Email:artsoc@mail.scu.edu.tw |
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| SCHOOL OF ARTS AND SOCIAL SCIENCES Tel:886-2-28819471 ext.6101-6103 Fax:886-2-28837110 Email:artsoc@mail.scu.edu.tw |
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The School of Arts and Social Sciences was established in 1970 and currently consists
of 7 departments: Chinese Literature, History, Philosophy, Political Science, Sociology,
Social Work, and Music. It offers master's programs in Chinese Literature, Sociology,
Social Work, Political Science, and Music, and a doctoral program in Chinese Literature.
Academically, each department shares the following features:
DEPARTMENT OF CHINESE LITERATURE
DEPARTMENT OF HISTORY
DEPARTMENT OF PHILOSOPHY In 1980, the Department of Philosophy was established on the recommendation of Dr.
Twanmu, a former president of Soochow. His belief was that a university is never complete
without a department of philosophy. The study of Chinese philosophical thoughts and the
pursuit of truth are the goals set for the students.
DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE
DEPARTMENT OF SOCIOLOGY
DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WORK The Department of Social Work was established independently from the Sociology
Department in 1990, with the purpose of creating professional social workers. A master's
program has been set up to provide high-level training in clinical work, and social
welfare and administration, as well as in social work research.
DEPARTMENT OF MUSIC
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The
Department of Chinese Literature was established in 1956, with the appreciation, creation,
and study of Chinese literary works as its educational goals. In addition to basic courses
in the study of the classics, Chinese schools of thought, and linguistics, its curriculum
includes courses in both classical and contemporary literature. Both reading and
composition are stressed. Students are expected to possess knowledge in classical
literature, modern literature, traditional culture, and news coverage and editing, as well
as word processing. We offer graduate programs that allow students to do in-depth academic
research in pure literature. 
In
1972, the Department of History was established under the auspices of the United Board of
Higher Education. Initially, the study of the history of Chinese Art was emphasized.
Currently, the focus is on the training of historians as well as intellectuals. Curriculum
design can be categorized as follows:
(1) basic courses, (2) study of
historic development as well as a comparison of Chinese and Western historic events, (3)
specialized histories: Chinese and Western art history, ethnic minorities on the
borderlands, history of Taiwan; (4) histories of different countries, and (5) study of
historiography. Course work includes inspection of historic sites and events on a regular
basis. Seminars on compilation of the history of Soochow University, history of the
community, historic data and documents are also held. We are developing a master's degree
program in "Historic Science and Documentation".
Our academic program stresses the
importance of such courses as "History of Chinese Philosophy", "History of
Western Philosophy", and "Issues in Philosophy", as well as individual
philosophers. Clear and logical as well as creative and independent thinking are
emphasized. In lectures students are encouraged to voice their opinions. Outside of class,
study groups are formed to pursue a particular topic with the help of teachers. In this
department, students enjoy rapport with the faculty. We intend to set up a graduate
program in the future to expand our academic scope. Increase of full-time faculty,
additional library research materials related to philosophy, and helping students with
their career planning will be our major future development efforts. 
This
Department was reestablished some forty years ago as soon as Soochow University began to
operate in Taiwan. At present, it has some twenty full-time faculty members and some forty
part-time faculty. Its curriculum gives emphasis to basic training and integration of the
discipline. In contrast to the policy of some other universities, the Department
encourages the interactions of the different areas of the discipline: namely, methodology,
political philosophy, comparative politics, international relations, and public policy and
administration. More over, our faculty is actively engaged in research efforts, paying
special attention to human rights and inter-generation justice, the operation of the
Legislative Yuan and political parties, conflict resolution, budget, and the situation in
Mainland China. As our society is going through rapid change and political
democratization, the training of political scientists must be accorded priority. This
department is dedicated to the education of highly skilled and thoughtful political
science scholars.
It
is our goal to produce research experts in sociology, social policy making, and the study
of local societies. We hope to achieve our purpose of cultivating students' academic
abilities by helping them to understand as well as serve the society they live in. The
design of our curriculum is guided by these three principles: (1) basic training in
sociology, (2) training in the analysis of sociological data, by using statistical
software, data processing, and quantitative analysis, etc., and (3) professional training
in sociology in terms of "social policies" and "study of local
societies". A multimedia seminar room has been established to facilitate access to
Internet information about sociology.
The
curriculum design focuses on the family, including courses in family social work, Medicare
and sanitation, and social welfare. We also provide social services to the local
community, such as a service task force by both faculty and students, a community cable TV
station, and the Family Service Center. We have set up Social Work Clinical Lab
internships; we provide both government agencies and the private sector with training
sources; and we publish journals and hold workshops or seminars regularly. We plan to hire
more faculties, better our facilities, set up an extension program, and establish contacts
with international societies and welfare organizations. 
The
Music Department was established in 1972 to provide academic training to prospective
professional musicians as well as music theorists. We now also have a master's program
with the purpose of enhancing the music education in this country. 
Our curriculum
covers six major areas: piano, strings, vocal, wind, composition, and percussion. In
addition, we also offer electives, such as the study of instruments, acoustics, computer
and music, choral conducting, and introduction to opera. Both academic learning and
performance are emphasized to help students achieve professionalism. Faculty members, both
full-time and part-time, are well known island-wide. We also have string and wind
orchestras and choruses, as well as our own music hall and studios. We plan to set up a
comprehensive doctoral program.