本课程旨在透过当今世界新闻大事的大量阅读，来探讨背后所反映之西方现当代思潮。新闻阅读取材于当今瞩目之国际大事，包括国际政治、种族／文明／宗教冲突、东亚／两岸三地关系、海外华人、人权问题、男女平权、少子化趋势、环保意识、电子时代、教育改革、跨文化交流、中国与世界等议题。借由对以上议题的阅读与了解，本课程将深入探讨各项议题背后所反映之西方现当代学术思潮，以及横跨文学、历史、哲学、宗教、社会学、政治与国际关系等各领域之公共辩论。课程教材将以英语新闻与西方学术文献为主；教课语言也将视学生英语程度，采双语或全英语之形式进行。

This course aims to introduce Western contemporary thought through readings of contemporary global news. News readings deal with a variety of topics, including international politics, ethnic/cultural/religious conflicts, East Asian and Greater China relations, overseas Chinese communities, human rights concerns, gender equality, issues of low birth rate, eco-consciousness, the digital age, education reform, cross-cultural exchange and communication, and China and the world. Through these news topics, discussions of Western contemporary thought will be conducted in an interdisciplinary manner across fields of literature, history, philosophy, religion, sociology, political sciences, and international relations. The bulk part of course materials will consist of English new reporting and academic sources, while in-class discussions may be conducted in full English or bilingual style depending upon students' English proficiency level.