Message from cbessolo

[Anonymous]

Encouraging students to remember the notion of contingencies in shaping history is a really good idea. I think this especially applies to the study of geography and makes it so much more relevant for them. As an example, I'm reminded of a discussion I had last year with students re the retreat of communist into the northern China mountain caves to escape nationalist forces. Many "what ifs" ensued.

The role of the Manchus and the perception of them by the Chinese is now much clearer. Understanding them in the role of nomadic conquerors invites comparison to other regions and the notion of open/closed stance toward "others". i.e. Moors in North Africa and Spain

The "opium problem" complicates the ideology of behavior motivated by cultural values that we looked at in the section on early philosophies.

Feet binding. A poignant fictional description of the suffering that girls endure in the formative process can be found in Lisa See's novel: Snowflower and the Secret Fan