National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (NYCU) boasts outstanding performance in the fields of science, technology and management. In recognition of the important role of liberal arts in the development of technology and the essential role of language in the flow of information, the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures (NYCU FL) was established in August 1994. As the first and only department in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences with an undergraduate program, we aim to contribute to the broad mission of the university to enhance the integration of technology and humanities through teaching and research.
Departing from traditional undergraduate programs in Taiwan focusing on literature and language skills, the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures (NYCU FL) has pursued initiatives for students to develop integrative and interdisciplinary knowledge. Capitalizing on the expertise of our faculty members, we provide a wide array of courses in core linguistics and literary criticism as well as English skill courses. Further, to encourage students to develop interests in various academic fields, we have established joint specialized programs with other departments across campus, including Teaching Chinese as a Second Language, Audiology and Speech Sciences, Film Studies, and the Teacher Education Program. We believe that our flexible academic program helps students build both critical reasoning and language skills as a foundation for diverse career paths.
Department Overview
Our department is committed to fostering a deep and multidimensional integration of the humanities and technology. Anchored in a robust foundation of critical practices in literature and linguistics, we also draw upon the abundant resources available across disciplines as diverse as information science, engineering, management, medicine, and the social sciences at our university. This approach cultivates a dynamic, interdisciplinary academic environment that promotes forward-thinking research and learning. Our aim is to develop students who possess both systematic analytical skills and human-centered soft competencies, preparing them to become leaders capable of approaching challenges from diverse, multi-layered perspectives with both local and global awareness and critical insight.
Academic Focus
In the field of literature, we emphasize both the interdisciplinary integration of the humanities and the distinctive expertise that the field offers. Our curriculum includes critical studies with a focus on issues such as gender and literature, literature and culture, film and literature, literary theory, ecological discourse, the medical humanities, and transnational studies. These courses are designed not only to deepen understanding but also to encourage the application of critical understanding to contemporary cultural and social concerns.
In linguistics, our approach blends theoretical foundations with practical application, with particular emphasis on developing students’ capacities for language analysis, independent thought, and empirical research. Beyond foundational courses in core areas such as syntax, phonetics, phonology, and semantics, we also offer specialized courses in sociolinguistics, psycholinguistics, language acquisition, and speech and hearing sciences.
Furthermore, the department extends its focus to interdisciplinary fields such as the application of Generative Linguistics to artificial intelligence, language and medicine, and language interfaces. We actively collaborate with the university’s engineering, medical, arts, and technological departments to guide students in cutting-edge research that bridges traditional academic boundaries.