august 6 - reform era china

[clay dube]

Hi Folks,

I wanted to draw your attention to three films available at the PBS website that you may find useful. Each is available for purchase, though they can also be viewed online. Each has a variety of additional resources such as transcripts, documents, and teaching guides.

1. Tank Man
This is the third of the Tiananmen Square-related documentaries I wanted to recommend. It focuses on the most enduring image of that era, the lone figure standing in front of a tank column. One of the most important parts of the documentary notes that while this image is famous outside of China, it is not widely recognized within China. Thanks to Roxane for triggering my memory of this documentary.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/tankman/

2. China Prep
This is a great look at the contemporary Chinese higher education exam (gaokao 高考). The documentary follows several students as they prepare for the exam. They have differing aspirations and outcomes.
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/wideangle/episodes/china-prep/introduction/810/

3. China in the Red
This documentary is a bit old, but still captures well the trauma associated with China's rapid economic development.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/red/

[Anonymous]

Thank you!
😀

[Anonymous]

Thanks so much. I had never thought about how what happened at T. Square affected Eastern Europe in the summer and fall of 1989. Duh! I needed Clay to put two and two together. This is a good way for me to revisit China with my AP Euro kids at the end of the year as we close out the Cold War and look at the formation of the new eastern European countries. (by the way - I entered this at a rest stop on my way camping. Probably the last time I have internet for two weeks).

[Anonymous]

I certainly wish we had more time to spend on China but I guess I am always left wanting to learn more. The last day was especially interesting. I really only had a basic understanding of the events at Tiananmen Square. This was a great lecture to fill in the detail. Thank you for sharing the video suggestions. I will certainly look into them.

Another very intersting part of the lecture was the history of Taiwan. My textbook has little to no history on Taiwan. I will have to do some further research on my own.

Thanks again!

[Author]

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