July 28 - Session 2 - Dube - 19th Century China - Evaluations

[Anonymous]

I agree, there is quite a bit of ....well resentment and resistance when it comes to denying Marco Polo and his adventures, but I think this would make a great "CSI History" activity where students would work in teams and analysize "evidence" that I give them, whether it was a primary document, a made up letter, or something along those lines! Students would have to determine if it was authentic using their knowledge of the text and my lecture and decide whether or not they can beleve the story of Marco Polo!!! AWESOME@FMS 😀

[Anonymous]

One aspect of the lecture given by Clay gave attention to the Opium trade begun by the British. This is something the students are usually interested in talking about since drugs are still an issue locally, nationally, and globally. I had compared it to our marijuana drug issues, but not how it is easy to smuggle into America as Clay had mentioned during the lecture.
Another point that caught my attention was that the Chinese authorities came down hard on the drug addicts; and this too is similar in our modern, American society. I’m not sure how many ounces will qualify for doing time, but I do know that our police agencies can seize any assets of a person found to be selling marijuana. This connection would give the students another way to relate to another country and another era from the past. Interesting how the issues have not gone away, drugs and sales of illegal drugs continue to be a thriving way of life in many countries around the world. Plus, we still have our own “War on Drugs” that has been unsuccessfully waged.

[Anonymous]

The history of China is fascinating. I think the closed and open door policies that governed trade and foreign relations will be relevant to my students and their study of U.S and European international relations (which is part of their core curriculum).

[Author]

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