本課程以嘉義歷史發展為脈絡，探究不同時代累積的地方文化樣貌，以庶民美食小吃、阿里山鐵道與林業、產業興衰與轉型、社區生態保育與文創開展、特色景觀與城市意象，及宗教祭典等為主要素材，分析自然環境、人文景觀與地方治理如何共同形塑嘉義的地域特色。藉由飲食記憶、鐵道敘事、產業發展、觀光地景與歲時節慶等，呈現地方社會的生活方式與價值觀。透過課堂講授、案例解析與場域觀察，引導學生從多元視角認識嘉義，並將地方知識轉化為創意設計，進一步深化地方特色的詮釋與傳播，推動文化傳承、公眾參與及地方創生。

This course examines the diverse forms of local culture that have evolved across different historical periods within the context of Chiayi’s development. Its primary subjects include popular local foods and snacks, the Alishan railway and forestry industries, the rise, decline, and transformation of local industries, community-based ecological conservation and cultural and creative initiatives, distinctive landscapes and urban imagery, and religious festivals. The course analyzes how the natural environment, cultural landscapes, and local governance have collectively shaped Chiayi’s regional identity. Through food memories, railway narratives, industrial development, tourism landscapes, and seasonal festivals, it explores the lifestyles and values of local communities. Through lectures, case studies, and field observations, students are guided to understand Chiayi from multiple perspectives and transform local knowledge into creative designs, thereby deepening the interpretation and communication of local characteristics while advancing cultural preservation, public participation, and local revitalization.