About
National Taiwan University (NTU) and the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) have jointly developed the Summer Institute on American Society since Summer 2023. Like the successful inaugural program last year, the 2024 NTU-UCLA Summer Institute on American Society will be held on the NTU campus in Taipei again. This Summer Institute will offer students the opportunity to explore American society through a social sciences lens, and will cover seven main substantive themes: Arts and Culture; Migration and Urbanization; Social Problems; Politics; Law and Society; Economy; and Global Strategy.
The overall course structure will involve eighteen 2.5-hour lecture sessions taught by experienced instructors from the U.S. and Taiwan, and nine 1-hour tutorial sessions run by NTU’s teaching assistants. Most learning activities will be conducted at NTU College of Social Sciences in Taiwan, with opportunities to explore the global city of Taipei during each mid-week outing.
Requirements include active participation in lectures and tutorials, completion of course assignments, and the provision of course evaluations and feedback. Upon completion of the Summer Institute, students will receive 2 course credits from NTU and a Certificate of Participation jointly awarded by the UCLA International Institute and National Taiwan University College of Social Sciences.
Study American Society from a social science perspective in Taiwan
What is American society and how can people understand this vast, complex, and diverse-heritage nation? When studied through a social science lens, far off the US mainland in Taiwan, American society can be seen in a more nuanced light, beyond surface-level understandings that are commonly circulated in mainstream media and news.
Explore Taipei, a global city
In addition to learning inside classrooms, this summer institute also includes three one-day field trips to explore Taipei, an active participant in the international community.
Course
2024 Summer+ Programs
UCLA-NTU Summer Institute on American Society Course Schedule (July 8 to July 27, 2024)
First Week: The US government and its institutions
In the first week, students will become more familiar with the ways in which its political systems and structures operate as well as the social and civil rights movements that have emerged throughout America’s history. Students will also engage with key works of American art, music, literature, and film and explore the concepts of what it means to be an American, the American Dream, and American ideals.
Second Week: Urbanization, urban politics, migration, and social problems in the US from historical and contemporary perspectives
In the second week, students will take a deeper dive into urbanization, urban politics, migration, and social problems in the US from historical and contemporary perspectives, and examine citizenship, identity, social inequality, and environmental issues within the American context. Students will also learn about the US economy, including the legal and philosophical bases of the US economic system as well as historical developments and transformations that led to its current form today.
Final Week: The trends in globalization
Finally, students will consider the trends in globalization and global protectionism, as well as study the decision-making processes of business organizations across industries such as retail, social media, finance, and aerospace. The topics and themes covered in the course of this program will help students walk away with more well-rounded, multi-faceted understanding and perspectives on American society.
Fees
Refund Policy
The application fee, and the fee for Taiwan Entry Permit application are non-refundable under any circumstances.
The program fee is:
- fully refundable if NTU cancels the program.
- 90% refundable if the student cancels the program before the start of class.
- 50% refundable if the student cancels the program before finishing 1/3 of the program.
- not refundable if the student cancels after finishing more than 1/3 of the program.
*Please note that our program is a package. The fees for field trips won't be refunded if you choose to be absent from these activities.
How To Apply
Eligibility
Age: 16 or above
Application Period
February 20-April 30, 2024
Application Steps
Application procedures:
- Register and verify your email
- Fill in the online application form
- Pay the application fee USD 200 online by credit card
- Upload Documents:
- Proof of enrollment issued by current university/secondary school
- Identification page of your passport
- Proof of your English proficiency level
- A motivation letter in English within one A4 page - Check the result: NTU will review the submitted documents, and will send the acceptance/rejection notice.
- Pay the program fee with 5 working days after receiving the acceptance notice. You can choose to pay by bank wire or by online credit card
- PRC students will also need to fill out a form to help us collect the information required for the Taiwan Entry Permit application.
- After NTU confirms your payment status, you are able to fill in admission information. NTU will send you the Admission Letter and Pre-departure guide before the program starts.
* If you pay the program fee by bank wire to Hua Nan Commercial Bank, NTU Branch, please note that you need to consider exchange rate discrepancy and the wire fees charged by your bank and Hua-Nan bank in order to make sure you make the exact amount payment to NTU account. Hua-Nan bank may charge additional USD 20 wire fee.
Contact Us
Ms. Shiau-ying Hung (Sheila)
syhung@ntu.edu.tw
Tel: (+886) 2 33668434