From Chinese Nationalism to Taiwanism: Political Power, Identity, and Unforgetting Cultural Histories in Taiwan’s Elementary Curriculum

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Sunday 11:45 am
  In Roundtable Session: Moving Beyond Textbook Authority

Abstract

This qualitative study examines how political shifts shaped cultural identity representations in Taiwan’s elementary Social Studies curriculum between 1987 and 2008. Using textbook analysis and supplemental materials from teachers in rural and urban schools, the research explores how political ideologies influenced portrayals of 'Chinese,' 'Taiwanese,' and other ethnic identities. Grounded in critical race theory and curriculum studies, the findings reveal tensions between centralized narratives and teachers’ efforts to diversify instruction. This study offers insights for nations navigating multicultural curriculum reform in politically contested contexts.

Author

• Ming-Chu Hsu, Indiana University Bloominton