Under the invitation of the Graduate Institute of the Americas, Scott Robinson, Director of American Cultural Center, American Institute in Taiwan, visited Tamkang University to give a speech, “Picturing America,” on November 5. By making use of many paintings on the historic events in the America, Director Robinson introduced the American history from the indigenous beginning to the modern USA, including important events of European colonization, the war of independence, Civil War, the Great Depression, and the industrial revolution. For instance, Robinson displayed Paul Revere's Ride to signal the first page of the War of American Independence; Washington's Crossing of the Delaware River to tell the epic of the American Independence; The Last of the Mohicans to showcase the bravery of the Native Americans; The Veteran in a New Field to symbolize the rebirth after the Civil War.

To listen to the speech of Robinson, the Ching-sheng International Conference Hall was packed with more than 100 TKU teachers and students, all of whom enjoyed a tour of American history and paintings. These masterpieces open the viewer’s eyes to the vivid tapestry of American history and offer a chance to understand and appreciate the depth and breadth of America’s cultural landscape. ( ~Yeh Yun-kai )