Taiwan Law in Focus: Economy, Society and Democracy

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/taiwan-law-in-focus-economy-society-and-democracy

Introduction

### Course Review: Taiwan Law in Focus: Economy, Society and Democracy on Coursera Are you curious about the legal landscape in Taiwan and its intersections with society, economy, and democracy? If so, the course **“Taiwan Law in Focus: Economy, Society and Democracy”** offered by the National Taiwan University College of Law might just be the enlightening experience you're looking for. This course stands out as an introductory dive into Taiwan's multifaceted legal system, making it accessible and informative for anyone interested in understanding this vibrant democracy. #### Course Overview "Taiwan Law in Focus" is the first online course from the esteemed College of Law at National Taiwan University. Its mission is not just to impart knowledge about laws, but to provide context on how these laws have developed alongside Taiwan’s unique social and economic transformations over the years. The course covers an impressive array of topics including the Constitution, administrative law, civil law, criminal law, and corporate law. The syllabus is structured to take students on a week-by-week journey through various aspects of the Taiwanese legal framework, combining historical insights with current practices. Each week includes engaging video lectures, quizzes for self-evaluation, and a final exam to cement your learning. #### Weekly Breakdown 1. **W1 - Historical Development and Structural Transformation** The course begins with an exploration into the historical paths that have shaped Taiwan’s legal framework. It delves into how external influences since the 17th century have contributed to the characteristics present in today's Taiwanese law. 2. **W2 - Democratic Constitution and Regulatory State** This week focuses on Taiwan's transition to democracy and its governmental structure. Students learn about the special features of Taiwan's constitutional court and how these elements have helped foster democratic discourse. 3. **W3 - Market, Family and Social Change** Here, learners are introduced to Taiwan’s civil law and the changes within the Civil Code due to social transformations. Issues like family law in an aging society and the challenge of illegal buildings further ground the discussion in real-life context. 4. **W4 - Human Rights and Civil Society** The fourth week addresses the evolution of human rights in Taiwan, particularly post-authoritarianism. The significant roles of civil society and Taiwan’s Constitutional Court in advocating for human rights are highlighted. 5. **W5 - State Power and Due Process** Focus shifts to the criminal justice system. Students will learn about fundamental rights within the Taiwanese Constitution and recent judicial reforms regarding critical issues like the death penalty. 6. **W6 - The Developmental State and Corporate Governance** The course examines Taiwan's approach to economic development and corporate governance. Key debates in corporate laws and their implications for contemporary business practices are discussed, offering insights into the future of corporate governance in the region. 7. **W7 - Final Conclusion** The course culminates in a summary that integrates all the knowledge gained, reinforcing concepts and providing a cohesive understanding of Taiwan’s legal system in its broader societal context. #### Recommendations **Who Should Enroll?** This course is highly recommended for students of law, international relations, and sociology, as well as anyone interested in Asian studies or the dynamics of democracy. It is also beneficial for professionals working in legal settings, non-governmental organizations, or industries that engage with Taiwan. **Learning Experience** The instructors are knowledgeable and passionate, and their expertise shines through in the video lectures. The quizzes serve as useful checkpoints, helping you assess your understanding as you progress through the material. **Cultural Insight** Beyond law, the course provides a gateway into Taiwan’s culture, identity, and development trajectory over the decades, enriching your understanding of the dynamics at play within this remarkable island democracy. #### Final Thoughts “Taiwan Law in Focus: Economy, Society and Democracy” is not just a course about laws; it is a comprehensive look at the interplay between legal systems and societal evolution. It equips students with valuable insights into Taiwan's journey toward democracy and the legal mechanisms that support its ongoing development. The course blends historical analysis with practical application, making it both engaging and enlightening. If you’re looking to deepen your understanding of Taiwan and its legal system—while also enjoying the convenience of online learning—this course is a superb choice. Happy learning!

Syllabus

Welcome to this course!

Hello, everyone! Welcome to Taiwan Law in Focus! We are all excited to have you in this course and looking forward to providing you with further understanding about Taiwan. This course is not only about law, but also includes the context of Taiwan’s development and transformation. Therefore, you would learn the legal system as well as its evolvement in Taiwan. Besides from the lectures, there would also be a quiz for each week and a final exam when you finished this course. These exams are designed for your self-evaluation and are for your better understanding about what you have learned from the course. We hope you enjoy this wonderful and fruitful journey.

This is the first class of Taiwan Law in Focus. In this class, we will discuss the historical developments and structural transformations of Taiwan laws. Due to the limit of time, the goal is not to provide a throughout introduction of Taiwan’s legal history. Rather, the focuses are: (1) how the characteristics of current Taiwan law came into being through waves of legal transplants since the 17th century, (2) how the people living in Taiwan encountered and experienced these regime changes and legal reforms, and (3) how Taiwan gradually, sometimes in a roundabout way, evolved from into a liberal and democratic country over the past 100 years.

This is the second class of Taiwan Law in Focus. In this class, we will introduce the government structure in Taiwan and discuss how Taiwan completed its democratic transition. The other focus in this class is the constitutional court of Taiwan. Although Taiwan is not the only jurisdiction which has separate constitutional court, it enjoys some special features than others. Let's explore the interesting and profound process of democratic transformation in Taiwan.

Welcome to the third class of the course. This class will introduce you to basic knowledge and features of the Civil Law in Taiwan. Also, you will learn the difference between civil law, constitutional law and criminal law. Next, the course will provide you with what revision the Civil Code has experienced with the social change in Taiwan. You can learn what kinds of rights civil law provides in this lecture. And we will discuss a special issue in Taiwan -- the illegal buildings. In the end, this lecture will give you an introduction to the aging society in Taiwan and how it affects the family law and its practice.

This is the fourth class of Taiwan Law in Focus. In this class, we will discuss the development of human rights laws in Taiwan, focusing on constitutional laws and interpretations. Since the end of authoritarian era in the late 1980s, the guarantees of human rights in Taiwan have been substantially implemented and strengthened. Taiwan’s civil society and Constitutional Court have served crucial roles in this process. Their crucial roles as well as other contextual dynamics will be our primary discussions in the class.

Welcome to the fifth class of this course. This class I will introduce to you the criminal justice system in Taiwan. You will learn about the right to liberty and personal security, the right to judicial remedy, the right to silence, the right to counsel, and the right to a fair trial, under Taiwan’s Constitution. In addition, I will also give you an overview of Taiwan’s recent judicial reform of the death penalty and lay participation.

This class introduces the economic development pattern and characteristics of corporate governance in Taiwan. It starts with the characteristics of Taiwan’s economic and financial development and focuses on banking markets and capital markets. On that basis, it discusses the famous corporate objective debate and corporate power structure debate in corporate laws, analyzing how Taiwan’s corporate laws address these debates and the rationale behind such designs. It then uses two specific corporate law designs, i.e. independent directors and the Investor Protection Center, as examples to illustrate the special corporate governance environment in Taiwan. The class is concluded with a forward-looking remark, which envisages how the rise of institutional investors might affect the corporate governance landscape in Taiwan in the future.