SPE’s Pre-master’s Program in Leadership and Management Officially Commences

Date: April 11, 2025

The School of Political Science and Economics (SPE) at National Taiwan University (NTU) is pleased to announce the official commencement of its Pre-master’s Program in Leadership and Management, Taiwan’s first fully English-taught pre-master’s credit-bearing initiative in this domain.

The program’s inaugural day, held on April 11, marked a significant milestone in SPE’s mission to cultivate interdisciplinary insight and globally attuned leadership. The morning opened with a welcome address by Professor Bennett Fu, academic advisor of the program, who introduced the curricular vision and pedagogical framework, underscoring the program’s emphasis on critical inquiry, cultural fluency, and global relevance.

Professor Bennett Fu speaks with students on the inaugural day of the program.

The first lecture, delivered by Professor Mou-Lan Wong, explored cinema as a medium for interpreting authoritarianism, political corruption, and resistance. Using the Star Wars saga as a case study, he analyzed how Palpatine’s rise has served as a metaphor for autocratic consolidation, while “the Force” illustrates a conceptual fusion between Eastern philosophical traditions (such as Taoist and Buddhist “Qi”) and Western religious dualisms.

Professor Mou-Lan Wang launched the series with a compelling talk on authoritarianism and defiance, drawing parallels between real-world power structures and the story arc of Star Wars. — Professor Mou-Lan Wong launched the series with a compelling talk on authoritarianism and defiance, drawing parallels between real-world power structures and the story arc of Star Wars.

During the midday session, students introduced themselves and participated in a group photograph—building a foundation for an intellectually diverse and engaged academic cohort.

In the afternoon, Professor Pao-Hsiang Wang presented a lecture on Broadway theatre as a nexus of artistic expression and political economy. He examined how Broadway productions engage with contested social issues—such as race, class, and marginalization—while simultaneously operating as vehicles of American soft power. Despite its commercialization, he noted, Broadway remains partly supported by public funding, reflecting the interdependence of market dynamics and state intervention in cultural production.

The program will continue with forthcoming sessions led by Professors Hans H. Tung (political science), Bennett Fu (literature), and Matthew Huei-Ming Ma (medicine), each contributing expertise from their respective disciplines.

Program Overview

Course Title: Emerging Economies: Entertainment, Neo-nomadism, DEI-leadership
Credits: 4
Language of Instruction: English
Program Advisor: Professor Bennett Fu
Location: NTU SPECS Building

This interdisciplinary course critically engages with the rapidly evolving contours of the global economy in the wake of the pandemic, ongoing conflict, and technological disruption. Moving beyond traditional financial indicators, the course examines cultural production, mobility, and inclusive leadership as vital frameworks for understanding emerging economies.

The curriculum comprises three integrated modules:

Arts, Culture, Entertainment, and Gaming Economies
Digital Nomadism and Transnational Migration
DEI Leadership and Intercultural Competence

Delivered by NTU’s leading interdisciplinary faculty, the program blends rigorous theory with practical application. It is designed for emerging professionals and future scholars seeking a sophisticated understanding of global transformations and the leadership required to navigate them.

We invite students, practitioners, and aspiring global leaders to join this timely and visionary academic journey—one that places critical knowledge, cultural intelligence, and inclusive leadership at its core.

Students pose for a group photo with the professor, reflecting the lively atmosphere of the event. — Students pose for a group photo with the professors, reflecting the lively atmosphere of the event.

Chinese version available at: SPECS-NTU

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