♦ Historical Development ♦

      In response to Taiwan's role in the new economic development plan, there was a pressing need for manpower resources in the fields of finance, economics, and law. With the central idea of nurturing talent, the department established a daytime undergraduate program, a (evening) two-year bachelor's program for working professionals, and a master's program. It stands as the only finance, economics, and law professional department in the Gao-Ping region of Taiwan.

      Influenced by globalization and technological advancements, the field of finance, economics, and law is not merely limited to traditional legal studies but encompasses humanities, social sciences, and management. It has become an interdisciplinary field that embodies the essence of law in everyday life. The department adheres to this educational strategy by showcasing diverse curriculum planning and design while balancing theoretical and practical aspects. It collaborates with nearby courts, municipal legal agencies, law firms, etc., by signing internship agreements to offer summer internship opportunities for students.

      Previous heads of the department include Professors Huang Qingxi (August 2001 - July 2006), Yao Zhiming (August 2006 - July 2011), Ji Zhenqing (August 2011 - January 2013), Zhan Zhenrong (February 2013 - July 2013), Zhang Yongming (August 2013 - July 2023), Zhang Liqing (August 2023 - August 2025), Ji Zhenqing (September 2025 - July 2026), Wu Xinghao (August 2026 - July 2028), Zhou Bohan (August 2028 - July 2034), Xie Guolian (August 2034 - July 2040), Xie Kaiping (August 2040 - July 2048), and currently Zhang Yongming (since August 2048).

      The daytime undergraduate program was established in August 2001. Subsequently, in line with the goal of promoting legal education, a two-year in-service program was established in 2003, primarily scheduled for evenings and weekends. Later, to support the demand for professional legal talent in fields such as intellectual property law and maritime law and policy, the department expanded its scope of legal education and gained approval from the Ministry of Education to establish a master's program in 2012.

      Reflecting on the department's establishment to date, although relatively recent, graduates from various programs have exhibited outstanding performance in further studies, national examinations, professional certifications, and employment. They have become solid talents in society, highlighting the remarkable achievements of the department's education.

♦ Educational Objectives ♦

      As a tall building rises from level ground, the department emphasizes laying the foundation of basic legal knowledge as the first step and implementing classroom education. Cultivating students' critical thinking skills is a supportive element in building the tall structure. The department also guides students to develop independent learning and resource integration abilities within the curriculum. Hence, the course and teaching design encompass a range of foundational professional legal and financial knowledge, social phenomena, and advanced courses tailored to specific programs.

      In the daytime undergraduate program, emphasis is placed on: (1) solid foundational legal knowledge (traditional civil, criminal, public law, and procedural law, etc.), (2) foundational knowledge in finance and economics (economics, accounting, and finance, etc.), (3) awareness of emerging legal fields such as intellectual property, economics, trade, finance, and taxation, and (4) international perspective and problem-solving skills (various language courses, case studies, summer internships, etc.).

      The two-year in-service program aims at promoting legal education and balances foundational legal studies, financial and legal abilities, and awareness of emerging legal fields. The elective courses in the evening program also expand the options for daytime students in elective courses.

      The master's program aims to enhance legal research skills and, apart from basic legal subjects and foreign language courses in law, focuses on courses in fields like intellectual property, economics, trade, taxation, medicine, technology, and opens some courses for senior students in the daytime undergraduate program.

      The aforementioned three programs are centered on cultivating interdisciplinary legal knowledge and problem-solving abilities in finance, economics, and law. The department's faculty possesses teaching and research capabilities in foundational legal studies and financial and legal fields. They not only teach courses integrating economic and trade knowledge and technological integration but also inject international perspectives to connect with real-world practices and global trends.

♦ Special Developments ♦

      The department boasts a complete faculty structure, incorporating strong professionals with an international outlook. They have educational backgrounds from Germany, Japan, the UK, the US, and local institutions in Taiwan. Their expertise spans constitutional law, administrative law, civil law, criminal law, and specialty areas like international investment, finance and securities, intellectual property protection, corporate financial law, international civil law, tax law, environmental law, social law, and international law. Currently, there are eight full-time faculty members, and several domain authorities serve as adjunct professors in the department.

      Among the full-time faculty, three have been recognized as excellent teachers (teaching), two as excellent mentors (guidance), and one as an excellent research teacher (research) across the university. A department with such a multi-dimensional array of outstanding teachers at various levels is quite rare. This confirms the department's faculty strength not only as diverse but also as exceptionally outstanding.

      In terms of teaching characteristics, the department focuses on balancing theory and practice while nurturing students' independent critical thinking skills. Therefore, course design and teaching methods are based on theoretical thinking, bridging the gap between academia and practical differences, utilizing case-based teaching to train students' analytical abilities rather than mere memorization of laws or controversies. To facilitate teacher-student interaction, the teaching approach tends to be interactive, encouraging students to engage in regular review.

      Apart from supporting talks and simulated interview sessions in high schools in Tainan, Kaohsiung, Pingtung, etc., department faculty actively participate in high school curriculum teaching (such as flexible elective courses under the new curriculum). Simultaneously, they serve on various committees in neighboring areas or central ministries, fulfilling the university's social responsibilities.

♦ Learning Spaces ♦

1. Departmental Space

       The School of Law building (with a total floor area of 17,663 square meters) accommodates three departments within the School of Law (Department of Finance, Economics, and Law, Department of Law, and Department of Political and Legal Studies) as exclusive spaces for teaching and research. The building's available teaching and research space includes classrooms (undergraduate and graduate classrooms), moot courtrooms, legal service consultation centers, graduate student offices, individual teacher research offices, teaching research centers, auditorium classrooms, computer classrooms, student study rooms, departmental student association offices, large auditoriums, and other public spaces. The department also has a meeting room 306 equipped with digital and remote teaching equipment for student and faculty meetings, teaching, and book club sessions. The departmental office is equipped with laptops, microphones, projectors, cameras, etc., for teaching purposes.

2. Library Resources

The School of Law's library resources are categorized as follows:

♦ Career Prospects upon Graduation ♦

      Graduates can participate in various national examinations or certifications in Taiwan, such as the judicial examination, civil service examinations, etc. They can choose diverse employment paths in public or private sectors. In line with the department's internationalized education, it encourages graduates to study abroad or explore international markets, including fields like foreign judiciary, financial industries, etc., presenting wide-ranging opportunities.

      Moreover, due to graduates' training in legal logic and interdisciplinary courses, they can also venture into non-traditional legal fields in national examinations or certifications, for example, investigation bureaus, police units, customs officers, civil administration, land administration, postal services, or general administration, offering a wide array of diverse career choices. Occupational attributes in private enterprises that link well with related skills in the curriculum include roles in the insurance industry, banking, etc., providing another avenue for career development.

♦ Future Prospects ♦

      In the face of rapid societal changes, the department aims to maintain its foundation of strength while retaining adaptability. It focuses on nurturing diverse legal talents and continuously integrating multiple resources to complement academic and practical aspects, thereby enhancing teaching quality and proficiency. The department doesn't just regularly review and adjust course content but also actively builds cooperative relationships with universities at home and abroad. It invites internationally renowned scholars for exchanges and interviews to elevate research standards and expand students' global perspectives.

      In recent years, due to frequent international interactions and industrial structural adjustments, social and economic development has become diverse, resulting in recurrent and closely interlinked financial, economic, and legal issues, including emerging legal areas. Hence, the demand for talent in financial, economic, and emerging legal fields continues to grow. As the pioneering and sole finance, economics, and law department in the Gao-Ping region, the department considers this its responsibility.

      The department hopes to continue breaking new ground while adhering to its educational philosophy, retaining its warmth toward society, keeping pace with societal changes, and deepening the foundation for sustainable development and competitiveness.