July 28 - Session 1 - Dube - Geography / Early East Asia - Evaluations

[Rob_Hugo@PortNW]

Hi everyone,

Please share your thoughts about our July 28 morning session on Japanese and Korean geography and Early East Asia by Clayton Dube by replying to this post.

-Miranda

[Anonymous]

The depth of this session was phenomenal and it is especially helpful when Clay poses a question. I tend to prefer to use the Socratic methodology when I teach and by writing his questions as he talks I think I will remember the vast array of topics discussed and lectured much better. Thereby, I can infuse this lecture and slides into my classroom and not forget the bulk of what has been learned this morning.

The visual presentation of the maps and various artifacts is most interesting. I’m sure my students would love to see them this next academic year. Although, I may not get to utilize many of these slides because what was shown today is mostly ancient artifacts and my curriculum is based upon modern history. Some slides would work as a means to scaffold a lesson and give more depth with explanation on the development of various Asian societies.
[Edit by="jbaybo on Jul 29, 12:27:45 PM"][/Edit]
[Edit by="jbaybo on Jul 29, 12:28:16 PM"]changed the word "much" to "many"[/Edit]

[Anonymous]

What I found quite fascinating about how the China's map has been changed all these years, golden ages as well as the decayed eras. As I recalled when I was a little girl, the only Chinese map, I believe, was actually shaped and formed under the Manchu's rule. It is shaped like a leaf. Again, I recalled that Mongolia, Xinjiang and Tibet were not included if we used a leaf-motif shape. Keep this mind, Taiwan was ruled by Guomingtong when I was in school during that time, so the leaf-shape Chinese map might be a political tool for the politicians.

In addition, this morning when we discussed about the geographic features of China, Japan, and Korea. I could not help myself to think about my father's hometown, Beijing. It is basically similar to Seoul, Osaka in terms of their altitude. They are all cosmopolitan cities, but they are quite different in their own unique ways. Osaka, first of all, is a commercial city, very crowded and polluted, so different from its neighboring city, Kyoto, a very clean but culturally rich center. I have never been to Seoul before, yet many international trading companies are located there and the most popular tourist place for the fans of Korean Wave is also in Seoul. Yet its nearby city is Pingyang of North Korea, a place of communist's regime. Now looking at Beijing, a strategically important site for interacting and connecting with not only cities like Seoul and Osaka, but far more beyond, and behind it lies the undeniable rationale, the geographic feature that Beijing city has.

In conclusion, it would bring all of our students to take more close look at the extent of how cities can be molded vy the variations of various factors, and one of factors we just covered today is geographic feature. julie Geography matters quoted from Sunzi.

[Anonymous]

I really enjoyed this session on the demography and geography of East Asia. It was extremely helpful to see the various maps that were used in the PowerPoint, as well as the photos taken first-hand. Asia, more specifically East Asia, has such unimaginable population and energy use statistics that I can hardly believe them; but seeing how it has all been proven, there is an impetus for learning more and actively observing the process of social and economic development or revolution as it may become.

[Anonymous]

I thought that having us stand on the newspaper to illustrate the population density was a great visual technique. It reminded me of the power of visual, interactive activities in helping students grasp ideas. I have also enjoyed the maps that juxtapose the size and/or population of Asian countries with areas we are familiar with, such as California. What a great technique!

[Anonymous]

This session was quite useful. I love the usage of visuals, including maps and photographs to enhance the 'lesson' being taught. What was especially interesting was how several teachers had to stand on the newspaper in order to signify just how crowded the subways are. I was amused, thinking to myself how Americans love our "personal space" and how there is absolutely NONE in that subway system! It must be a pickpocket's dream.

I was rather surprised to find out that before the Tiananmen Square incident, many Americans had positive views of China. Since I was only 6 when the incident occurred, I had no idea what was happening in the world to make Americans have such a positive view of a repressive authoritarian regime like China. I am not at all surprised, however, to find that to this day most Americans maintain a negative view. I, myself, have quite a negative view of them, given their poor human rights record (I worked with Amnesty International during college) among other things.

[Anonymous]

Once again the PowerPoint was wonderful…I know I will be able to utilize it in both the Geography class I teach and the World History class I will teach in the fall.

I appreciated the format of today’s presentation…taking the Geographical theme of location and the theme of movement or spatial interaction and applying it to the three areas of study.

The slides of the various maps give insight into the countries and go along way in helping to understand why certain things happen…Looking at Japan and stressing it is the top of a mountain in the ocean with 2/3 of it forest helps to explain why fish is a primary staple and why the Japanese spend so very much on food. I was especially interested in the slide of East Asia at night it really can be used to demonstrate the differences between the two Korea's.

I especially will use the newspaper to help the students grasp the concept of population density…great interactive activity and easy to do!

Great morning session!

[Anonymous]

The satelite maps and images are always the most impressive to me. I think students would be impressed by the realities of what they show--pollution, illumination, etc. A good discussion point for students is inviting them to consider what choices should be made by these countries to address the demographic and crowding problems that exist now and lay ahead.
I appreciate the mention of the Human Genome project in the discussion of early China. Students should be hearing a lot more about this and its ramifications.
The "mandate of heaven" as justification for the status quo of 12th century Chinese rulers reminds me of the notion of "divine right" (Charles I et al)

[Anonymous]

Again, I love the maps and PPTs. These will definitely be useful in my classroom. I wish we had a bit more time to look at early East Asia. Although I'm familiar with early China, today helped fill a few gaps. I particularly liked the integration of China, Korea, and Japan rather than discussing them in isolation. I also realized when we were going over the Chinese dynasties that I haven't been pronouncing the Sui correctly. This is somewhat embarrassing as I teach my students the Chinese dynasty song. Most of you here probably already have it, but here it is just in case.

The Dynasty song, to the tune of “Frere Jacques”:

Shang, Zhou, Qin, Han
Shang, Zhou, Qin, Han

Sui, Tang, Song
Sui, Tang, Song

Yuan, Ming, Qing, Republic
Yuan, Ming, Qing, Republic

Mao Zedong
Mao Zedong
😀

[Anonymous]

I really appreciate the lessons on Geography. Before we get into our text books each semester, I spend almost two full weeks on Geography lessons, quizzes and a final test, so I really like all of the maps that we will be getting in our power points. I also enjoyed the newspaper/density demonstration from this morning. That will really bring home the "crowded subway trains" issue to the kids.
I've spent over the last hour looking for some pictures and a united streaming video that I show my students on this issue. It shows Japanese “train platform" workers who are paid to literally push the passengers into the crowded trains from the platform. It is amazing. I thought that I had the link on my school's email, but I must have it on my school's computer. If I am able to locate the original on the web, I'll edit this post, or create a new post that will include the "chain" link. 😀

[Anonymous]

Two of the points that Clay made were so important, and easy to remember! China is able to justify holding power in the hands of the government if they can do two things: 1) the economy gets better, and 2) they can defend themselves from outsiders. As Americans we always want to say that to everyone else, democracy and freedom are the most important factors, and everyone else wants these. Perhaps, but perhaps not. When I had my course on "Putin's Russia", studying here, then in Russia, one of the things several professors told us was that the reason Russians not just accepted Putin, but liked him was because they were fed up with Yelstsin, the economy wasn't bad, and he made them feel important and proud again. So what if the reigns on freedoms were tightened a little. For some of the teacher-students in our group, this was hard to accept.

[Anonymous]

I spend a fair amount of time on geography of China and Japan b/c I teach AP world history, but only up to 1700 (the rest is continued in the 10th grade). I was wondering if oracle bones and ancestor veneration is unique compared to the other ancient river valley civilizations (Egypt, Mesopotamia, etc). I think the emphasis on ancestors is unique to China and I'm wondering why?? Is it at all related to geography -the constant flooding of the Yellow River and the earthquakes?

I like the Catfish analogy for Chinese geography and thought I would share a Godzilla analogy for Japanese geography:
Godzilla & Japanese Geography:
Breathes fire=volcanoes/ ring of fire
pointy scales on his back = mountains
When he walks the earth shakes= earthquakes
He emerges from the water= islands (in the creation myth the islands emerged from the water.

I'm also very happy to learn more about Korea- I had no idea they were looking towards the same demographic problems as Japan.

[Anonymous]

One of the excuses I had for not learning Chinese history was because it is sooo expansive and complicated. The morning session did highlight the complexity but was still easy to follow. I'm not sure that I would be able to include so much information in my US or World civ classes but it really helped me gain a better overall understanding. I will try to incorporate some of the slides as part of an overview powerpoint.

I will use the newspaper activity. These simulations are always great for students. This was very useful.

[Anonymous]

I agree with you about the illustrations on how students could get a clearer understanding on population density. This great strategy could be adapted to other lessons dealing with population or numbers. Thanks for incorporating this illustrative strategy in your lecture!

[Anonymous]

I really like Roxanne's dynasty song, simple and easy to get.
The morning's session was interesting. Again, I like the current events in the morning. The waiting time with the music was good to start/ get ready for the actual class part of the day.
Today's day is more of what I have to teach and knowing almost nothing about it, the entire day was enlightening.

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