Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 2005. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 151-166).

In recent years, literature in Taiwan has developed dynamically in a context of rapid social change and intense debate in intellectual circles over ideology. Chu Tien-wen (1956- ) is the eldest daughter of the most notable literary family in Taiwan; the principal founder of the "Three-Three" literary coterie in the late 1970s and the most successful screenwriter of the Taiwanese New Cinema in the 1980s. However, as yet no book-length study has been devoted to the works of this important figure in the contemporary Taiwan literary scene. The present thesis is a study of Chu T'ien-wen's work up to 1996, with chapters arranged broadly in chronological order. It traces the formation of her early sinocentric, utopian political and social beliefs, and their modification in the light of her increasing contact with Taiwan-centred Nativist ideas. This study endeavours to address the many facets of Chu's writing identity (Chinese tradition - Taiwan identity - Feminism - Creative writing), and examine how her works reflect her maturing understanding under the influence of changes in society. Forced to re-evaluate her ideas by the clash between her vision of Confucian Chinese ideals and the development of Taiwan-centred Nativism, Chu broke through to her unique style in Splendour of the End of the Century, a collection of stories which won immediate critical acclaim both for its unconventional subject matter and its unorthodox style. Since then Chu, in writing about the moral and spiritual decadence of modern urban life in The Notebook of a Desolate Man, has maintained her basic belief in the role of the shih, but, at the same time, she has yielded to the inevitability of destruction of traditional values. Nonetheless, her writing on previously unmentionable subjects has broadened the parameters of what is acceptable in literature. This study will demonstrate that in writing her "decadent" fiction, and through her depiction of sensual refinement, Chu showed that social changes in Taiwan had forced her to accept the fact that Confucian thought has irretrievably lost its primacy in intellectual life, and that her original utopian vision is no longer attainable. As she accepts democracy more, she has had to leave behind her early ideal, be more pragmatic, and become a "decadent" writer philosophically.

There are two enquiries undertaken in this work which is an investigation of learning strategies employed by students of English for Tourism in the British context, and an evaluation of textbooks already used for teaching this programme in Taiwan and relevant ones published in the United Kingdom. It is hoped that this work will have direct implications for pedagogy and learning processes of the English for Tourism programme in the Taiwanese context. This thesis is made up of four parts. The first part is Chapter 1 which investigates general broad backgrounds in the Taiwanese context. It also deals with the debate on the improvement of English language teaching in this context. It further discusses how this context relates to this work. The second part includes Chapters 2, 3, and 4, offering the theoretical framework on which an empirical research and a desk-based study of textbooks are based. Chapter 2 primarily examines the features of English for Tourism by taking account of the general key issues of ESP relevant to needs analysis, content and language, and methodology, and the specific crucial issues in relation to the target situation in the tourism industry, tourism education and training, and cultural content. It further postulates that communicative language teaching and learning strategies are closely relevant to the efficiency of ESP teaching. These are defined and explored in depth in Chapters 3 and 4 respectively. The third part consists of an empirical research and a desk-based study (Chapters 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9). Chapter 5 discusses research methodology indicating that a qualitative approach has been preferred to a quantitative approach. The empirical research will be based on participant observations (Chapter 6) and semi-structured interviews (Chapter 7). It will be followed by a desk-based study of textbooks (Chapter 9). Chapters 6 and 7 are mainly descriptive. Chapter 8 interprets the major findings of this empirical research, discusses the issues they raise and goes on to suggest improvements to the pedagogy and learning processes in the Taiwanese context. It indicates that social strategies and social interaction bothinside and outside the classroom are the most significant factors for learning processes. It suggests furthermore that a combination model of notional-functional and task-based approaches is essential for the effective English for Tourism syllabuses and methodologies in the Taiwanese context. Chapter 9 is a desk-based study of textbooks to evaluate and select appropriate and useful textbook for teaching English for Tourism in the Taiwanese context. The final part is Chapter 10. This chapter reviews the principal themes in the preceding chapters, and offers principles of approach which guide the teaching and learning of English for Tourism in the Taiwanese context.

The purpose of this cross-sectional, correlational study was to validate the factors that are related to dysmenorrhea in Taiwanese adolescents. The specific aims were to describe the perceived dysmenorrhea pain symptom experience (SE), related self-care strategies (SCS), and perceived effectiveness of self-care strategies (PESS); to explore the relationships between SE, SCS, and PESS; and to explore the influence of contextual factors on SE, SCS, and PESS. A conceptual framework based on the revised Symptom Management Model was developed and guided this study. A nonprobability sample of 165 adolescent participants was recruited from a technology university located in southern Taiwan. Inclusion criteria for participants were: (1) Taiwanese female adolescent, (2) age 15-19 years old, and (3) willing to participate in this study. All participants and their parents completed the consent forms and completed the questionnaires in their classrooms during free studying time. Five instruments were used and data was analyzed by using the SPSS Version 14.0 including descriptive statistical techniques, Pearson’s correlations, ANOVA, and multiple regression analysis. The findings showed the prevalence of dysmenorrhea in this sample was 87.3%. There were 82.4% of participants who reported dysmenorrhea had influenced their daily activity, and 12.7% of participants who reported school absenteeism because of dysmenorrhea. Most of participants used self–care strategies for dysmenorrhea including avoiding cold food or drinks, drinking brown sugar and ginger soup, etc. The most frequently used self-care strategies and their effectiveness were described. Age, age of the first period, total menstrual years, eating cold food or drinks, self-care strategies, and mother’s perceived support of self-care strategies were significantly related to the log of symptom experience of dysmenorrhea. Total menstrual years and self-care strategies were identified as significant predictors of dysmenorrhea. This study added to the body of nursing science regarding dysmenorrhea in Taiwanese adolescents. In particular, the findings supported the existence of relationships between self-care strategies and perceived effectiveness of self-care strategies. Building on these findings, future research should be conducted to design interventions that reduce the pain associated with dysmenorrhea for this population. / text

This study brings together many of the concerns elaborated by other educational researchers: teachers’ voice, teachers’ professional identities, teachers’ lives and work, and teaching professionalism in research in dance education. It aims to study the life stories of school teachers who were initially trained to be dance performers. Using a biographical approach, the life stories of nine Taiwanese secondary school teachers are collected to investigate the influences of their previous experiences, such as dance learning experience, initial teacher training experience, teacher role models, significant people and critical moments, in relation to their notions of professional identity. As this research is based on teachers’ accounts, it brings together nine individual life stories and allows us to compare the existing literature to contribute to educational research and research in dance education in a number of ways. First, the study takes a particular methodological approach, the narrative approach, to conduct a small scale study in a new area, research in dance education. Second, this study carries out empirical work, exploring the professional identity of dance specialist teachers, something not done before. Third, this study applies the existing knowledge from educational research to research in dance in education. Fourth, this study applies an already well-known theory, Wenger’s theories of identity in communities of practice and boundary encounters, but with a new interpretation to investigate the process of identity conceptualization. Fifth, this study tests an old issue – teachers’ professional identity – by exploring teachers’ notions of self that draw upon their previous experiences. Previous relevant studies, however, have been in a Western context; this study is within a Taiwanese context. The complexity of dance in education in the Taiwanese curriculum is highlighted, and the findings offer a picture of a developing sense of dance-trained teachers’ artist-self and teacher-self, and details of the different degrees of influences of previous experiences to the identity conceptualization. Importantly, the connections between the conceptions of the professional identity teachers have and their concepts of the teaching profession are explored. In particular, their voices on professional development are shown throughout the changes to their personal concepts of teacher professionalism, which leads to an argument for professional sharing as a key to supporting teachers in the profession.

This thesis examines the immigration process and adjustment patterns of recent Taiwanese immigrants to Canada. Using data derived fiom participant interviews with Taiwanese immigrants living in Vancouver, Victoria, and Nanaimo, the experiences of the immigrants challenge existing literature that groups Chinese immigrants fiom Taiwan, Hong Kong and The People's Republic of China under the same umbrella. The thesis also looks at Canada's immigration policies, how they influenced the type of immigrant Canada seeks and how they contribute to 'backlash racism', and examines Canada's multiculturalism policy and its ability to defend against 'backlash racism'. The findings of this exploratory study, while not able to give definitive answers, are also used to question the validity of recent international migration theories.

This study aims to explore, describe and thus understand the phenomenon of two-year college program students’ persistence within the context of Taiwanese culture and tradition; and to develop and provide a framework or patterns for understanding working adult students’ persistence for educators. By using a hermeneutic phenomenology approach, the persistence in learning experiences of specific participants was explored based on semi-structured interviews in two exploratory studies linked by a comprehensive literature review. The researcher’s own experience of persistence was also included as part of the study. The data were analysed by using thematic analysis and narrative construction. Findings reveal that participants persist with the support of enabling factors and application of coping strategies despite barriers. The intertwined relationship between the value placed on qualifications, identity recognition and views of persistence contribute to the concept of persistence. This concept develops through schemas emerging from the data: historical effect, cultural reproduction and identity construction. Under the influence of Taiwanese tradition and culture, this concept of persistence immerses into the participants’ knowledge ground and standpoints to understand the world they live in. The concept is defined as ‘no pain, no gain’ and includes dimensions of insisting on the right to study, fulfilment of dreams, being a role model of good study habits, personal growth and enrichment. Participants construct both social identity as graduates and personal identity as progressive, competent and respected individuals. The findings of this study benefit both theory and practice. Theoretical implications and recommendations include providing insights into the concept of persistence through development of schema that underpin factors contributing to working adult students’ persistence in Taiwan. Practical implications and recommendations include insights drawn from the perspective of Taiwanese culture and tradition to understand the experience of two-year college program working adult students to persist in a high level learning environment, which informs educators to see themselves as important sources of support and information, and thus able to assist their students to cope with the barriers to their learning, or to extend persistence outside their formal educational settings and maintain their learning.

This study examined the food acceptance behaviour of preschool children in Taiwan from their parents’ perspectives. The research explored food preferences and aversions of preschool children and how parents’ beliefs, concerns and coping strategies influenced their food acceptance behaviour. This qualitative study used in-depth interviews to obtain answers to the research questions. This appears to be the first study of its kind in Taiwan. The results of this research were represented in three ways: as themes and sub-themes, as narratives for two families, and as concept maps to show the relationship between themes and preschool children’s food acceptance behaviour. The major findings of this research are firstly, that children showed a wide range of food acceptance behaviours that are established early in life. Secondly, parents had a number of beliefs and concerns about the nature of the food acceptance behaviour of their preschool children. They described many factors that they believe affect their children’s eating behaviour including the influence of caregivers, parents themselves, siblings, grandparents, peers, the kindergarten teacher, the kindergarten cook, and the media. Thirdly, parents’ rearing styles influence the eating habits of preschool children. The thesis concludes by pointing to useful directions and recommendations for further research, education and policy around the issue of early childhood food acceptance behaviour.

The aggravating investment environment in Taiwan has lead to migration of industries to oversea nations. China, with its geographical advantage, lower labor cost, and enormous market potential, has become Taiwan investors¡¦ preferred choice of investment region. Nevertheless, that has affected Taiwan¡¦s economy in many perspectives when a large amount of Taiwanese investors shifted their operations to China, along with their enormous amount of capital. Hence, the main focus of this thesis is to focus and evaluate this impact on Taiwan¡¦s economic growth, import and export structure, industrial adjustment, market competitiveness, employment issues and industrial hollowing-out effect. This thesis analyzes and evaluates several issues from Taiwanese investor¡¦s point of perspective, including: 1.Evaluate whether or not there is industrial hollowing-out effect in Taiwan. 2. The cause of industrial hollowing-out effect in Taiwan. 3. The correlation between investor¡¦s migration to China and industrial hollowing-out effect in Taiwan. 4.The influence of the industrial hollowing-out effect. This thesis adopts historical process research, statistics analysis method, and documentary research as the basis of evaluation. By the 5 criteria indicator (negative net value of foreign direct investment, the growing trend of unemployment rate, and the declining trend of the manufacturing-based industries over the GDP ratio, manufacturing labor productivity, and manufacturing investment) to examine if there is any data or evidence indicating that Taiwan at present is going through industrial hollowing-out. This Thesis has discovered the following facts: 1.The 5 criteria indicating an industrial hollowing-out is in effect. Over the 16 years from 1991 to 2006, the net value of Taiwan¡¦s foreign direct investment is ¡V35.213 billion dollars, and the unemployment rate has been rising since 1995. Manufacturing industries over the GDP ratio has declined from 33.34% to 21.39%. Manufacturing production index growth rate varied from 7.42% to 5.04%. Labor productivity index growth rate declined from 1.29% to -2.37%. And except 2004, manufacturing gross domestic capital formation growth rate (nominal or real) has been decreased since 2001. From these findings stated above, Taiwan has faced all of the 5 trends and hence, Taiwan has begun to face the industrial hollowing-out effects. 2.The causes of Taiwan¡¦s industrial hollowing-out are as follows: (1) the over-extended migration of investment to China. (2) the problem of industries¡¦ structural adjustment. (3) the similarity of exporting products, which leads to the trade competition. (4) insufficient local investment. 3.Industrial hollowing-out effects can be discussed under the perspectives of the employment market, the industries structural and the international market. From the market employment perspective, the industrial hollowing-out results in high unemployment, stagnant wage growth and imbalance on spread of wealth. From industries structural point of view, the hollowing-out effect causes struggling in industries technological advancement, difficulties in research and development for manufacturing industries, limitations of cooperation between global enterprises and the restriction of the economy growth. On international market level, the hollowing out effect would create the negative impacts such as difficulties in industrial restructuring, the tremendous international competition, the replacement of products manufactured in Taiwan with those made by other nations, and the inability to attract more foreign investment.

In 2008, the Taiwanese film ¡§Cape No. 7¡¨ set the record of 500,000,000 box offices. Then this year also has the hot movie ¡§Wanhua¡¨. People start to expect the native movie industry economy is improving gradually. However, according to the overall box office, Hollywood still holds 80% market. Local film industry who want to get back lost audiences and change their long-standing habits of going to the cinema is to see Hollywood films, should be more understanding of the consumer behavior of the movie going and the underlying factors. This study is from the audience perspective and use of the consumer behavior theory to compare on consumer decision-making for Taiwanese and Hollywood Films. Then find out how product attributes, motivation and cultural factors in the film will influence the attitude toward Taiwanese and Hollywood films and the willingness to see these movies. Finally we can understand why most audiences are prefer Hollywood than Taiwanese films and get the meaning of movie marketing. According to the SEM analysis in this study, leisure motivation and word of mouth factor influence the attitude of Taiwanese films most. And effect factor of the attitude of Hollywood films are leisure motivation and degree of recognition of cultural values in movies.