About the International Liberal Arts Honors Program
A community of curious minds who find joy in ideas, value different perspectives, and believe education should transform how we see the world.
Our Three Pillars:
International – A diverse community of students and faculty from around the world, with English as our common language for learning and exchange.
Liberal Arts – Learn to see the bigger picture, consider multiple perspectives, and develop thinking skills that enrich both your studies and future path.
Honors – Small, discussion-based classes (max 16 students) for those who genuinely love learning, plus faculty mentorship and an individualized capstone project.
Unique in Taiwan, ILA Honors builds on Tunghai University’s founding mission as Taiwan’s premiere liberal arts institution.
Join the Program
Applications are open now.
Meet Our Faculty
David Wible
I investigate how people can master language without instruction in some conditions but not in others, mainly comparing English and Chinese. I take the units of language to be relations in a web, not items in an inventory, collaboratively developing computational models of such relational webs to support linguistic research and education.
Annie Tsai
My research is grounded in applied social and cultural psychology, especially identity development, emotional regulation, and cross-cultural meaning-making. I also explore well-being, resilience, and habit change through psychological and spiritual lenses, with additional interests in leadership, service learning, and life-purpose development.
Aleksandra Drizo
My research focuses on sustainable water management and water–food security, particularly phosphorus recycling, pollution control, and nature-based solutions. With over 30 years of international experience across continents, I explore innovative technologies to support resilient agriculture, environmental protection, and human well-being.
Yevvon Yi-Chi Chang
My research focuses on service marketing and consumer psychology, examining how health, dietary habits, and social or environmental factors shape consumer decision-making. My work draws on business management, sustainability, and behavioral science to drive positive changes in consumer behavior.
Michael Hemmingsen
My research bridges moral, political, and religious philosophy, with particular interests in the metaphysics and ethics of sport and games, Chinese and comparative traditions, and questions at the intersection of religion, value, and public reasoning.
Cheng-wen Wang
I research the history of Christianity in Taiwan, focusing on Christian community formation and social networks during the late Qing period. My recent work examines historical figure representation, church establishment patterns, and the cultural collections of early missionaries, while exploring how religious conversion shaped identity across different ethnic groups in Taiwan.
Carol Troy
I have two main areas of research. The first concerns insurance, with a focus on corporate governance, particularly auditing and information asymmetry. The second area explores caregiving, studying factors affecting the well-being of (unpaid) carers and the sustainability of informal care systems.
Muhammad Omar Shaikh
My research advances nanotechnologies for healthcare and sustainable energy, focusing on smart sensors for biomedical and robotic systems, wearable energy harvesters, and catalysts for solar fuels and CO₂ upcycling. Through interdisciplinary innovation, I strive to enable circular economic solutions and drive a resilient, sustainable future.
Ying-Hsiu Lu
I explore the history of the body, gender, sexuality, and reproduction in late imperial Chinese literature. My recent examine works the boundaries between humans and nonhumans through studies of anomalous bodies and monstrosity in Chinese tales of the strange ( zhiguai ), bestiaries, medieval literature, and sci-fi.
Mrinalini Mishra
I research advanced materials for renewable energy applications, with particular focus on photocatalysts for hydrogen generation and novel electrolyte materials for energy storage. My work bridges materials science, green chemistry, and physics to develop more efficient and sustainable energy technologies.
Han Wei Chung
My research focuses on public international law, political science, legal theory, and constitutional law. Drawing on versatile experience in a leading law firm and serving as policy officer at the German Ministry of Economy, I bring an interdisciplinary, practice-grounded perspective to global legal questions and contemporary political challenges.
Shu-An Tsai
My research focused on racial politics, political behaviors, and international relations. I specialize in examining the voting patterns of Asian Americans and their engagement in the political process. Additionally, I investigate how political elites interact with ethnic minorities. Another area of focus in my research is the study of political participation and elections in Taiwan, particularly online campaigning.
Chifumi Takagi
My passion is sustainable agriculture, and I have spent over ten years researching organic farming and “smart” agricultural practices to support communities across Southeast Asia. I love using data tools like SPSS to find better ways to grow food, and whether I am mentoring students or working in the field, I am dedicated to building a more sustainable food future together.
Forums
The Philosophical Import of Possible World Fiction: Four Categories
Most fiction presents a world broadly like our own, but genres such as science fiction and fantasy explore a wider range of possibilities. Some works go further, examining the nature of possible worlds themselves. This genre – “possible world fiction” – focuses on the relations between worlds. It uses narrative and formal techniques to explore the scope and limits of possible world theories. In this talk, I distinguish four types of possible world fiction – alternative histories, time travel fiction, multiverse fiction, and contradictory possible world fiction – and consider how they differ in their underlying philosophical commitments and modes of world interaction.
Frequently Asked Questions
I am Tunghai University faculty and I would like to be involved in the International Liberal Arts Honors Program. What can I do?
To discuss becoming involved in the International Liberal Arts Honors Program, contact David Wible (wible@stringnet.org) or Michael Hemmingsen (mhemmingsen@thu.edu.tw).
I want to complete my degree in four years or less. If I enrol in the ILA, can I still complete my degree in time?
Typically the ILA can be completed using the electives credits of your degree, and so does not add any additional time to complete your degree.
Does the ILA offer anything besides its courses?
This program is not just a set of courses, it is a community of learners. The ILA runs a range of extra-curricular activities, such as guest speakers and other gatherings.
What elements of this program are conducted in English?
Everything in this program is fully English immersion, from the textbooks, to class environments, to informal interactions with fellow students.
What level of English is required to study in the International Liberal Arts Honors Program?
More important than English level, is the student’s willingness to push and challenge themselves to use English as a medium of learning rather than an academic subject.
What does “small classes” mean?
In order to cultivate a student-centered learning environment, all International Liberal Arts Honors Program courses are capped at 16 students.
Do the credits from the Honors program count towards my degree?
Yes, all credits in the Honors program, regardless of whether you complete the entire program, contribute towards the 128 credits required to complete a degree at Tunghai.
How much does this program cost?
There are no additional fees for enrolling in this program. Students continue to pay only their usual tuition to their main department.