Session 1A: Orientation 7-28-08
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July 28, 2008 at 7:30 am #5269
Rob_Hugo@PortNW
KeymasterUS Trade Percentages:
50% of US trade is w/China
27% Japan
11% S. Korea
8% Taiwan
4% Hong Kong
I find it interesting that 100% of US trade is done with East Asia, and so many people are on a campaign to “buy American.” We have seen on the news individuals and families experimenting with only buying products and objects made in America, and they are (obviously) finding it very difficult. Not only is it expensive, one is hard pressed to find a pair of shoes or socks or a washing machine that does not have at least some part of it manufactured outside the U.S. Most of the time the label on that product you just can’t live without says “Made in. I saw a teacher who was introducing her China unit ask her students to count how many items they were wearing that said “Made in China” and, as one might expect, they had trouble finding a piece that did NOT say “Made in China.” (One smart student said, “My shoes say ‘Made in Korea.’”) Now, it seems to me that in order to only buy American and retain our ideal standard of living, a paradigm shift would need to occur. In any case, this topic of buying American and/or supporting East Asian trade and how that will affect our economy is a heated debate, and especially since this is an election year, could be a great topic of discussion for the kids in our classes. I teach literature and non-fiction works, and I can see reading articles on trade, economy, the effects and pros/cons of supporting and limiting East Asian trade, and then teaching the rhetoric of argument, debate/public speaking, critical reading skills, and rhetorical analysis. It is so exciting to have another tool in the tool belt to enhance learning! This topic alone could span across the curriculum, and we have only scratched the surface.
July 28, 2008 at 9:08 am #31114Anonymous
GuestThat's a great idea. I think a lot of political opinion (ideology, hi!) is lost on our kids, so that would be fun to have them analyze how many items they wear/own/play with are made by East Asian countries.
I have my students bring in current event articles every other week, even though I'm an English teacher, and it's interesting to talk about how the media presents economic issues, such as the problems with lead in paint in children's toys and once a girl brought in an article about Chinese "spies" in American factories. We had great fun analyzing the rhetoric used in the articles-- an ELA 11/12th grade standard to look at ethos/pathos/logos, etc.
July 28, 2008 at 10:25 am #31115GuestThis morning's session was very indicative of how important it is to know the history of a country, especially the political and religious history of that country. It helps to better understand where they have been and what they have done to get where they are now. It is no longer justifiable to be ignorant to knowing about another people and it's culture, history, and so on because of all the quick info on the internet. It is vital for us to become knowledgeable to avoid conflicts with another nation and it's neighbors. One example would be trying to include Korea and Japan in the same arena, wheather it be political or in trade, or in any other agenda. This would be asking for trouble. After learning more about Korea's reasons of not wanting to have anything to do with Japan because of it's occupation in Korea from 1905 to 1910 when it was annexed. Much resentment from Koreans toward the Japanese are due to little things that happened during that occupation, for example, Korean's having to drop their Korean names and change them to Japanese names. These feelings continued from generation to generation and are prevalant today.
July 28, 2008 at 10:27 am #31116GuestI tried to send an attachment, lost my posting....I need to know how to send attchments.
Anyway I would like to say that as much as I have studied China I really am not an expert, and I just seem to drink up the information and knowledge that we have been given. The power points are great and the information gives a visual that is wonderful. I do think that no matter what class you teach the visuals always work in the classroom.
I have alway thought that the Asia was our biggest trade partner. I just didn't understand that it was already our partner for 34 years. We always say OH it's made in China. The numbers are so hard to put in order, 1.3 Billion, or as my dad would say not the word with M but B. I do know that the people of China want what we have and they are getting it.
The first session was an eye opener, about what we will learn. Thanks Mary
July 28, 2008 at 10:34 am #31117GuestI am so glad that we get the Power Points that we saw today. The teaching materials are wonderful...homework not so much....
I have become a Mohism-ist, Okay my dad will be proud. I really loved the visuals today I very much a touch see and feel type of person. I am a little on the edge about the great debate between the 4 schools of thought, but I am sure we will all mke it through. Mary[Edit by="sneumann on Jul 28, 7:58:11 PM"]This is my second session e-mail[/Edit]
July 28, 2008 at 10:41 am #31118GuestI posted under seminar readings and materials for both sessions. OOOOOPPPPS. I will add one other item here. The slide show that was presented to us today would be a great school starter - Under getting to know you. They can see quickly, as a preface, what we did this summer.
July 28, 2008 at 10:49 am #31119GuestI too loved the slide presentation. A site that you all may want to look at is http://chineseculture.about.com/library/weekly/aa010900a/htm - This site has some stories. One of them is about Nian - which is a Spring Festival. Oh Mary, I also am a Mohist. So on to my studies.
July 28, 2008 at 11:02 am #31120GuestI validate the fact that due to the interconnected world there is an ardent need for cutural exchange be it in the field of art, literature or science. The world is shrinking and the influences of the east and west are intermingling. Also, due to the information technology highway there is rapid news flash within a matter of minutes.
It was interesting for me to know that our younger generation have the same technological entertainment, such as the chats, games etc.July 28, 2008 at 12:56 pm #31121GuestI agree it is absolutely imperative that you understand a culture before you attempt to trade with them. Many business faux pas have been enacted because people do not understand other cultures.
July 28, 2008 at 1:20 pm #31122GuestMary N. says I am a Mohist because I used to be a hippy, but I am now definetly more of a Legalist. Without rules, rewards, and consequences life is kaos. We know that as teachers, kids need boundaries, praise and consequences that are clear and concise. I guess I am getting ahead of the game. I too am excited about the power point presentation. There was a lot of information presented today and it is hard to take so much in at one time, but I am really looking forward to what is coming.
July 28, 2008 at 1:43 pm #31123GuestAlthough I found it fascinating to listen to a NPR announcer describe the devestation of the May earthquake in China, I did not think about the fact that people in Asia are watching events here in the United States even more closely than we are watching them. I wonder what they think of Bush? Obama? McCain? ...and I wonder why, if they are our leading economic "partner" Obama visited Europe, not Asia? We, as a people, obviously need to adjust the priorities of our focus.
July 28, 2008 at 1:57 pm #31124GuestBroadband in South Korea is ten times faster than here? Wow. That is hard for me to wrap my head around. I thought it was very interesting that in 2003 the young people of South Korea spread the word with cell phones and got their candidate elected. I feel somewhat bad that I have over 100 post graduate units and I don't know any of this. I guess that's why we are here though. I think the first session today was fascinating and I look forward to more in the coming days.
July 28, 2008 at 10:23 pm #31125Guestit is also interesting to see that the facts really aren't explained to the average person (buyer). from what we learned today, american east asia trade is very important to american economy. for that very reason, "america" really isn't interested in americans only buying "american." that would put a huge deficit in the revenue. this interconnection that exists between east asia and america doesn't leave room for americans to exist independently. the way things are set up, our economy is dependent on outside forces. it's safe to assume that "america" was not forced into this paradigm. so, what should the real debate be? what questions should really be asked?[Edit by="ppeterson on Jul 29, 10:40:19 AM"][/Edit]
July 29, 2008 at 12:29 am #31126GuestThe scary thing about China is that it is still a developing country. If we think the price of oil is high now wait until the Chinese start buying more automobiles. I'm not so sure most Americans care or are even aware of how this will impact us in the near future, not to mention India. This makes it more pressing to educate the public and to come up with a sound energy policy for the near future in this country. Cspan has been showing some interesting hearings on this subject lately. I just hope we don't talk this thing to death before it is too late. [Edit by="mburditt on Jul 29, 10:47:53 PM"][/Edit]
July 29, 2008 at 2:11 am #31127GuestIt seems that Americans have become content in not knowing about other countries and thier affairs, and because of this, are missing out on big clues to what is and will be happening in the world. We must step out of ourselves and pay attention to the world around us. When we step back and see the forest through the trees, solutions to seemingly impossible problems can become clearer. Asia is the perfect place to start, since they affect our lives so greatly.
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