About the Institute
History and Development Focus
The Institute of Oceanic Culture was established in 2007, marking the first and only graduate institute in Taiwan dedicated entirely to the academic research and education of ocean culture. Its core mission is to conduct comprehensive studies on the phenomena, meanings, and diverse dimensions of ocean culture, balancing both its holistic framework and multicultural perspectives. The institute aims to contribute to cultural theory construction, creative practices in cultural industries, international cultural exchange, and ocean-based heritage development. To achieve these goals, the institute integrates teaching and advising from full-time, joint-appointed, and adjunct faculty members, while also inviting specialists from relevant departments within the university and partner institutions outside the university to provide interdisciplinary guidance and instruction.
The institute’s primary academic research areas consist of three major fields: Oceanic Cultural History, Oceanic Literature, and Marine Social Sciences. These domains serve as a foundation for nurturing talents in cultural research and cultural industries, opening new frontiers defined by oceanic characteristics and regional-global perspectives.
The institute’s guiding principles of ocean culture research include:
1. Human awareness and consciousness of the ocean
2. Spatial structures of human-ocean interaction
3. Cultural and historical characteristics of transoceanic mobility
4. Human-environment relations shaped by livelihoods dependent on the sea
5. Rational and scientific systems developed in response to human-ocean engagement, including marine technologies and cultural adaptations
Under this framework, students first develop core competencies in cultural theory and academic research methodologies, followed by specialization in one of the three academic fields. Each field provides structured thematic electives and research training modules ranging from global to regional, general to specific, with opportunities to explore topics such as maritime trade, migration, port cities, religious beliefs, marine science, and oceanic archaeology.
Oceanic Cultural History: Students explore global, Chinese, and Taiwanese maritime histories, then may specialize in topics such as maritime trade, migration, port cities, oceanic societies, beliefs and rituals, marine science, or oceanic archaeology. Regional research may include East Asia, North America, or the South Pacific.
Oceanic Literature: Students study global, Chinese, and Taiwanese oceanic literary traditions, then may focus on topics such as overseas Chinese literature, East Asian comparative maritime literature, or Taiwan’s oceanic literary development.
Marine Social Sciences: Students begin from marine social sciences or maritime technology culture perspectives, then may expand into topics such as East Asian migration, Southeast Asian Chinese communities, oceanic religious networks, or cultural industries related to marine tourism and ocean-based field internships.
Founding Purpose
In alignment with Taiwan’s national policy of ocean appreciation and development, the institute promotes academic research in ocean culture and fosters professionals in cultural industry innovation, international cultural exchange, social and cultural education, and maritime cultural infrastructure development.
Basic Qualifications
- Professional knowledge of ocean culture studies
- Global vision and international perspectives rooted in maritime culture
- Understanding of the core values and meaning structures of ocean culture
- Awareness of the practices and operations of marine cultural industries
Core Competencies
- Independent research capability in ocean culture
- Ability to articulate ocean culture meanings, values, and international perspectives
- Capability to observe and participate in social and cultural development fields
- Understanding of marine cultural industries and ability to engage in field internships
Past Directors
First Director: 2007.08.01 – 2008.10.31 Prof. Huang Li-Sheng
Acting Director: 2008.11.01 – 2009.01.31 Prof. Jiang Fu-Song
Second Director: 2009.02.01 – 2012.01.31 Associate Prof. An Jia-Fang
Third Director: 2012.02.01 – 2015.01.31 Associate Prof. An Jia-Fang
Fourth Director: 2015.02.01 – 2018.01.31 Associate Prof. Bian Feng-Kui
Fifth Director: 2018.02.01 – 2021.01.31 Prof. Bian Feng-Kui
Sixth Director: 2021.02.01 – 2024.01.31 Distinguished Prof. Wu Chih-Hsiung
Current Director: 2024.02.01 – Present Distinguished Prof. Wu Chih-Hsiung
Last Updated: July 3, 2025