Bethany College Faculty Share Global Scholarship At Taiwan Book Talk
From Taiwan to Lindsborg: Scholarship inspires new interdisciplinary courses at Bethany College
LINDSBORG, KS. SEPTEMBER 18, 2025 — On May 15, 2025, Dr. Chienyn Chi, Assistant Professor of English at Bethany College (bethanylb.edu), was invited to speak at National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University in Taiwan about her book, Madness, Psychiatry, and Empire in Postcolonial Literature. The event highlighted interdisciplinary scholarship and global academic collaboration which Dr. Chi is integrating into her teaching at Bethany College.
The joint book talk featured a discussion between Dr. Chi and historian Dr. Harry Yi-Jui Wu, Associate Professor in the Cross College Elite Program at National Cheng Kung University. The conversation expanded during a Q&A session, where a psychiatrist, a public health activist, and a film scholar shared their insights. Topics included the history of psychiatry, the political suppression of trauma, and the Western-colonial biases in the scientific study of mental health.
“This discussion was an amazing celebration of interdisciplinary thinking,” Dr. Chi said. “It has inspired me to bring these conversations into my teaching at Bethany College, encouraging students to explore complex topics from multiple perspectives.”
Inspired by her research and its global impact, Dr. Chi incorporates interdisciplinary approaches in Bethany College’s ID 203 course. For example, in the Mythbusters class co-taught with Dr. Gayani Wijegunawardena of the Chemistry Program, students from science and humanities majors collaborate to investigate the myth of sciences and the science of myths.
Looking ahead, Dr. Chi and Dr. Wijegunawardena are excited to offer a new course, “What Would Yoda Do?,” which explores the politics of space colonization and artificial intelligence through science fiction in film and TV, fostering critical thinking and ethical inquiry among students.
Through her research, international engagement, and innovative teaching, Dr. Chi exemplifies how Bethany College faculty bring world-class expertise directly to the classroom, enriching students’ learning experiences and preparing them for thoughtful, interdisciplinary scholarship.
For more information about the Bethany College English Program, visit: www.bethanylb.edu/english
For more information about Madness, Psychiatry, and Empire in Postcolonial Literature, visit the publisher’s page: bit.ly/ChienynChi
About Bethany College
Bethany College (bethanylb.edu) is a higher educational institution located in Lindsborg, Kansas. Bethany College was established by Swedish Lutheran immigrants in 1881. For more than 140 years, Bethany College has been dedicated to educating, developing, and challenging individuals to pursue truth and excellence while leading lives of faith, learning, and service. At Bethany College, students join a community of dedicated educators and caring mentors who support them as they discover, explore, and navigate their purpose. Bethany College is affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
