Ni-hao all, sorry I haven't been online. I'm going to try to catch up a bit this coming week. Those are some neat sites. I've been doing a little research the old fashioned way, books. Remember from our orientation that the name for China is zhong-guo (pronounced jung gwo), which means middle kingdom? I just found out the Chinese name for America is mei-guo (pronounced something like mahri-gwo), which means beauty kingdom. So, I guess our reputation there can't be too bad.
Anyway, as to how we should tackle our topics, maybe we could divide them up, but also be on the lookout for good examples of the other topics as well. My own preferences would be : 1. Literature and Arts, i.e., sites connected to writers, works of literature, paintings, sculpture, gardens (had to get that in), plays and performances, etc. --these are my primary interests when I study cultures, and I do try to introduce a fair amount of this to my students, even if its not always in the standards;
2. Religion and Philosophy, as we said, temples, monasteries, related art and sculpture, Zen gardens, and also evidence of Confucian and Buddhist ideas and values in customs and beliefs.
I know I'll be finding connections to all the topics as we travel, so I'll be glad to share whatever I've discovered. I'll try to find some sites also, and whatever tips I learn from my reading.
Until then, zai-jian (zye-jen is close to the prounuciation), that is, goodbye.
Steve
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