Taiwanese Language and Expressive Cultures

Taiyu, or Taiwanese (also known as Minnan, Hoklo, or Hokkien, depending on context or region), is language that most Taiwanese people use in daily lives, including everyday interaction and communication, entertainment, social and cultural events, etc. Expressive culture is one way by which group of people express their ideas, emotions, values, ideologies, and belief systems through sensorial and aesthetic performances germane to everyday life. Investigation of expressive cultures through Taiyu language is important way to understand multi-faceted society of Taiwan as vital site of cultural production. Examination of various manifestations of Taiyu in different forms of cultural production including pop music; traditional and modern theatre including Gezai opera, glove puppetry, and others; documentary; and other media. Discussion also of how these media have represented Taiwan’s society and shaped its cultural landscape.

P/NP or letter grading.