Session 9 - 2/2/10 - Dube - Conclusion

The presentation tonight highlighted the ineffectiveness of the League of Nations in preventing the spread of Japanese expansionism in Asia. That the Japanese government chose to leave the League of Nations rather than follow its directive demonstrates that this organization lacked credibility within the international community. Although the United Nations has been criticized by many in the United States and elsewhere, it shows that the UN has international credibility that the League of Nations obviously lacked, and may be more valuable then we are led to believe by its detractors.

I find it very interesting to see how despite China's struggle with equality, that Clay mentioned today, in particular, the need to be respected by the West, serious human rights violations continue to be commited in all areas of Chinese society. You would think that if they wanted to be seen as a "civilized" equal, they would desist from such actions.

Yet, having learned China's history, and seen what a tremendously rough road it's had, I have to give China a lot of credit. It is now one of the economic leaders of the world. That's very impressive.

Although there was some repetition from previous meetings, I felt that I took advantage of it and it cemented information regarding China, that I had lost through Japan and Korea.
I am sill grappling with the specifics of my curriculum project, but feel it will be more solidified when I settle on what country to focus on. That is difficult for me. I am attempting to link novels, or memoirs of a specific country...or maybe not. Any of you read Still Life with Rice? I am toying with springboarding from that memoir, meaning a focus on Korea.

Professor Clay, thank you so much for that abundance of information you shared with us during this Seminar. I have aquire information and a sense of curiosity and sensibility for the Asian cultures, particularly modern society and families who just arrive to the US. I will continue to research more facts on this interesting part of the world that was unknown to me. You are just an expert in this culture and I feel so honored for the opportunity I had to listen to you. Love you always, Ximena.

I'm still struggling too on what country and what topic to settle on for my lesson. There are so many good choices and several topics that really go well with my 10th grade World History content. I've been forming some lessons in my head about the Rape of Nanking, so I may go with that.

I recommend in the Absence of Sun too, if you haven't read Helie Lee's other book. I think I mentioned this in another strand/thread. Talk about an exciting, somewhat hair-raising story, especially about the attempted rescue. You'll love it!

Thank you so much Professor Clay for the great lecture! Although, as it has been pointed out, it was a bit repetitive, I felt it connected the countries histories. We had been given the information about China, left it, learned about Japan, and Korea, and returned to China. It all connected the countries for me and reinforced what I had previously learned with lots of new found knowledge. Thank you also for clearing up the Korean Christainity question, and relating it to the high degree of education among Koreans. Finally, The Rape of Nanking brings up some interesting points for me. I have to teach it as part of World History. I think I might focus my lesson plan on the topic, since you mentioned some points I never know.

The very fact that this seminar meeting is called the conclusion is very sad. This has been excellent the whole year (well five months). All of the speakers were excellent, and gave us so much. Clayton has such passion for China, and East Asia, that it becomes infective - you want to know more. I can only hope there will be other seminars which we can attend. A huge thank you to Miranda - you are quite the organizer, and you took such great care of us. And a thank you to all who participated, because it was the questions and answers that further delved us into the subject matter and made it even more interesting. Thanks to all.