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AnonymousMonday's discussion on the growing importance of East Asia was very interesting especially because of the incorporation of current events as we see the growing impact of globalization. These are topics that I discuss with my world geography course and to learn more about events taking place in East Asia and how it impacts the United States and world relations is really invaluable to my own class discussion with my 9th graders. It is also really interesting to learn from someone who has traveled and studied in East Asia because since I have not been in the area for enough time to have a profound understanding of the dynamics of living in China, Korea, and Japan and the political implications of that. I also found it interesting as several connections were drawn between the history and the present of East Asia in terms of their culture and role in the world as it has shifted. I am really looking forward to having more insight and a better understanding of the dynamics in Asia besides what I read in a textbook and in current events.
AnonymousWow, what an eye opener! While the importance of studying American history cannot be unederstated (particularly local history as it pertains to the "big idea"), there is little emphasis on the fact that the history of east asia IS very much part of our local history. I am looking forward to learning more, and developing a more aware and alert "consciousness" about the furture of our economic and social history
AnonymousSimply awesome! I would have never imagined the importance of incorporating Asian Studies into my 7th grade English curriculum. Nos, I see it! I hae already navigated the website and the wealth of information, movies, lesson plans is phenomenal. I am so looking forward to more fantastic learning that I can share with my students. Actually, there is only ONE Asian student at our school, he is in my class, and the expression on his face when I told him about my Asian studies class was unbelievable.
AnonymousI left this class on Monday night so excited and ready to learn. I completely agree with Clayton that there is an evident need to include instruction on east Asia in the classroom. When Clayton asked us to reflect on our own schooling days and when we were ever taught about Asia, I realized that I was never really introduced to any sort of Asian history until college. Most of my history classes had been devoted to American and European studies. While these are definitely important subjects to cover, Asia is just as important, as much of the current world's focus has turned towards the Pacific Rim. If Americans expect to contend on the political stage and be successful when dealing with foreign affairs; we need to be educated about the past, present, and possible future of these countries. I enjoyed learning about the roles of blogging, social media, and the Internet in communist China, and how the rules in such a society play out. Thank you, Clayton, for taking longer than thirty seconds to explain that topic to us.
AnonymousI too left Monday evening inspired and ready to incorporate even a few pieces of information with my 3rd grade students. I was blown away to hear that many of my students have some sort of Asian heritage and connection to East Asia. When I was informing my class about the importance of the Panama Canal, in Social Studies, and how it allowed trade and access to the US to be much easier, one of my students asked about how much of our import products come from Asia. Although I thought this was a great connection to talk about East Asia and its importance to us in the US, many of my students could not locate East Asia on the World Map. I am so thrilled that I am gaining a better understanding of East Asia, so that I can teach my eager students to engage in conversations that are relevant and will connect them to global information.
AnonymousThe articles on Japan's and Korea's aging population and decreasing work force were eye-opening. In a sense, the United States is encountering the same dilemma with our retiring baby boomers, but Japan and Korea are approaching the challenge in a very different way by promoting births. It is both interesting and ironic that Japan (like the U.S.) needs to increase their immigrant population to remain economically competitive, yet they deny immigrants many rights and discriminate against them.
The changing role of women in East Asia is also fascinating. I was surprised to read that the Korean government is publicly acknowledging the need for political reform to enable women (specifically mothers) to stay in the work force after marriage and childbirth. Asian culture has long had very traditional and rigid roles for women. Modern women are torn between what is traditionally expected of them and their changing career goals. I discuss the role of women in Romeo and Juliet with my freshmen and would like to tie in a discussion on changing roles of women in the East and West.
AnonymousMondays class was so interesting and enlightening. I really didn't know what to expect, but I learned so much just in the first meeting. I am so excited to become much more aware of Eastern Asia, their history, culture, politics and their relationships with other countries. I enjoyed learning about the relationships between the East Asian countries in terms of their resources, as well as the effects of the rise of the industrial power. I also enjoyed learning about Communist China and the rules in their society concerning the internet and social media. I never learned about Eastern Asia as a student, so I feel good that I can help stop that cycle and incorporate the study of Asia into my curriculum. I am looking forward to teaching my second graders about Eastern Asian cultures through a variety of curricular areas, in creative and inspiring ways.
AnonymousWhat I really enjoyed from the first meeting was the graphs and talk about China's economy. The information about 55% of imports coming into L.A. harbor are Chinese imports is the type of information I'm looking for. My high school students are fascinated with China. Regrettably, my students think China is taking over the world. I want to learn more about the economic relationship that the US has with China and other Asians countries. I want to be able to explain that China and the US have a symbiotic relationship when it comes to money and that one country does not need to fear the other. I enjoyed looking at the graphs during the presentation and I would like to find out where I can get those to share with my students.
AnonymousI was discussing the "Contested Grounds" article with my husband the other night on the conflict between China and North Korea for ownership the area of Koguryo. I find it so interesting that China wants to claim it so that they can host the 2018 Olympics there. I also found it fascinating that the United States would want to support North Korea so that the fauna there remains protected. We regularly discredit this country for being "backward" and now we see that there is an upside to their lack of growth, the protection of endangered species. My husband then asked if I knew about the islands that China and Japan are fighting over. We then discussed the Senkaku islands and discussed how frail the relationship is between China and Japan today. I am really enjoying these links and glad to have a new understanding (already) of the infrastructure in East Asia.
AnonymousI was humbled and blown away by how much I have to learn. The idea of the China and their lack of oil usage as compared to United States stayed with me. The image of the islands at night and the lack of wealth and how some areas remained so dark and others so light was haunting. I am looking forward to gaining insight to our world and the politics of our world.
AnonymousI am very excited to take this seminar. I realized how much I needed to take the class after our first session. I know very little about East Asia and it is a strong rising power, particularly China. 1.7 billion live in East Asia and nearly 1/3 of our world's economy is linked to East Asia. I am so glad that I will be educated on this important area of the world. After just one class, I learned about the mysterious missle sinking the Cheonan. I learned that China and South Taiwan are both claiming the same part of the South China Sea. I discovered that Diaoyutai/Senkaku Islands are mineral resources that China and Japan are fighting over. I also found out that China and India are having boundary and water disputes. I am so thrilled that this class is shedding light on these important events. I have already thought of several ways in which I will integrate the East Asian culture in to my second grade classroom.
Katherine Perry
AnonymousThe topic of technology really stuck with me especially, the issue of free speech or its counter part, censorship. I wonder how China will plan to deal with the growing flood of technology and issues of free information or at the very least unpopular information that surrounds it. As it is, China has a system of censorship that is in existence. Along with the their record on human rights violations, how will China be like in the not too long future? Will their trade investments grow? Will companies continue to do business with a restrictive and controlling government? Will the cost of doing business with China rise to the point of "its' not worth it"?Will China change its policies and when? I am left with more questions than reflections at the moment. I hope that some of these questions will show itself, but I'm excited to learn more about Asia's past and how it develops its identity in our time.
AnonymousThe title of the presentation really caught my attention - amazing hook! It got me wondering, "why is there an evident need to teach about Asia in our classrooms? Of course, my question was answered from various perspectives.
AnonymousI found our first class to be very interesting. I am Chinese-American, so I grew up hearing what Chinese people think of other Asians--Koreans, Japanese, Vietnamese, etc. (They were usually unkind words about the other cultures.) And 2 summers ago, I vacationed in Seoul. Our tour guide was a lovely woman who was born and raised in Seoul and had never been elsewhere. Her distaste for the Japanese and North Koreans was extremely noticeable! I've found it interesting that Asians don't like Asians but never understood why until I saw a quick glimpse of it during our first class. The disputes and tensions between islands, waters, landmarks, and rocks made me think, "Ooooooh," and we haven't even gotten to the good stuff yet! I look forward to learning more about why Asians think the way they do and what has molded them to get to this point.
AnonymousI found our last class very eye opening and insightful. I felt that it really brought home the idea that there is an evident need to study East Asia. I am looking forward to the rest of the seminar and am excited for our next class.