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AnonymousThe film clips made me really want to view many of these movies. The one that stood out to me the most was the family trying to get home to see their daughter and the sacrifices they were making while she felt abandoned by them. We have many students at my high school who are living with guardians and there have been rare occasions where we have learned that students are living alone and supported financially by their parents who are living abroad. I think the term is "parachute kid". It makes me realize that while an adult can understand the perspective of sacrifice, a child has yet to see the full picture. It is something that I think would be beneficial to share in an inservice. I will pay more careful attention to my students who are living with a guardian. Also, the debates were a great way to understand the philosophies. I would say that the Daoist's won, but that may imply that I understand anything they had to say which would render all of my previous comments null and void.
AnonymousSaturday's class was very enlightening. The lecture on the four different Chinese philosophies were extremely helpful in reviewing for the debate. When we were signing up for which philosophy we would defend, I thought I wanted to be a Confucian. It was not to be as my last name starts with the letter V and I got last pick. I ended up being a legalist and in the end I was very glad that I was. I enjoyed reading about the legalist philosophy and found it very easy to understand. When asked the question at the end of the debate about what you would do if your father did something that was wrong, my answer was very easy to formulate. Any good legalist knows that the family exists to serve the state. If my father did something wrong he should be turned in and punished. The debate helped solidify what I learned from the lecture.
I enjoy watching foreign films. After seeing the few clips I am going to make sure I start watching some of the movies. I especially think I would enjoy the Confucius movie because I love Chow Yun Fat and find Confucian philosophy interesting since it is a lot less easy to understand than legalism. I teach Kindergarten and am a little bit nervous about choosing a film to use in my classroom. I am hoping for some beautiful cinematography that could inspire my little 5 year olds to do some beautiful art work.
AnonymousI remember hearing on Saturday that up to 30% of teachers are members of the Communist Party. I remember my father (former math teacher in China) telling me that in order to be promoted to administration, you had to pledge your allegiance to the CP. If you refused, your chances of becoming an administrator were slim to nil. Is this true?
AnonymousI really enjoyed Saturday. Shout out to YingJia for coordinating all of it! Thank you!
Clay, you did a fabulous job reviewing the four schools of thought. I agree with LVaden about how it was so easy to argue for the Legalist position. It was amusing to watch others fend for their school, especially the Daoists. It sounded like there wasn't much to go off of if knowing meant not knowing =). I grew up with a father who preached Confucianism, so I completely empathized with his teachings. On the other hand, the readings gave me greater insight on his teachings, especially when he talks about trying to teach your father. Confucius says, "You can be of service to your father and mother by remonstrating with them tactfully. If you perceive that they do not wish to follow your advice, then continue to be reverent toward then without offending or disobeying them; work hard and do not murmur against them" (p. 21). I didn't come to this understanding until last year. Being first generation, I never really agreed with my parent's outlook on life, especially because I feel they are a bit brainwashed by some Communist beliefs. I finally learned to accept them for who they are and not argue with them because I cannot change them (Yea, it's hard not to speak my mind). I just have to respect that they grew up during a different time with very extremely different resources. For example, a lot of Chinese didn't get to go to school when the Communist party came into power.
AnonymousI enjoyed all of the talk about explorer Marco Pollo and the controversy over his actual travels to China. It's a curious thing about history and how we romanticize certain stories over others. Indeed I picked up my bedside nightly novel ( a rather recent addition, as we learned this evening from Clay, to the body of Chinese writing as an art form), and opened to this page of The School of Essential Ingredients (I swear this is true): "It was unusual to see a couple at Lillian's cooking school; the classes were expensive enough that most couples sent a designated representative - Marco Polo-like explorers to bring back new spices, tricks to change meals or lives...
the legend perpetuates.
AnonymousSaturday's lecture on the 4 schools of philosophy was interesting yet baffling. I like to (think that I) think in a very logical manner, so if one falls into a certain category, then all thoughts and actions must be within that category. Right? For example, if one claims to be a follower of Confucius, then this person's thoughts and actions follow the Confucius way. RIIIIGHT? Apparently not, with these 4 philosophies. As discovered in the lecture and the debate that followed, some of the these beliefs infiltrate into other philosophies. Some of these leaders in one school of philosophy was a teacher in another school of philosophy (like Xunzi). Some of these leaders strongly believed in one philosophy but knew it wouldn't go over well with others so they covered it up by acting like it was another philosophy (like Imperial Confucianism)! It bothers me a little bit that these philosophies can be so easily intermingled. Maybe that's one of the reasons why I'm not a huge fan of philosophy.
AnonymousI am really enjoying learning about the reasons for Communism in China and it is pretty understandable that they wanted a strong and forceful government that refused to be pushed around by foreigners, given their recent history. Professor Dube mentioned that Hu Jintao is the current Communist leader and is expected to be replaced by Xi Jinping is his expected replacement. How are the leaders chosen? By Committee? Does the Communist Party choose and people don't get a say? I would like to teach my students how modern communism is working but need to understand the system better.
AnonymousWhen I first read Laozi's (Daoist) quote "When people are hard to govern, it is because they know too much", I was surprised to learn that his view on education was so negative. I thought about how different his view is from our own, since we believe that in order to preserve our democracy all citizens need to be educated so that they are capable of making informed decisions about our government. My confusion was clarified by the professor on Saturday when he explained that Doists believed in embracing nature and allowing our instincts to guide us. Also, the fact that they disliked teachers and favored anarchy.
AnonymousIt was great to have the debate. When the four views were argued, I gained a better perspective of the disciplines and points of views. Often, we study the strengths and emphasis of ideas, but do not generally address the deficiencies involved. Using the debate format, it became more clear and it was a good teaching strategy that I will try to employ more of in my classroom. Obviously, students need to be well prepared in order for the format to be successful and meaningful. To all the contributors on Saturday's class, thank you for your effort and energy.
AnonymousI really enjoyed the debate on the four major Chinese philosophies. I was a Confucian. There are several things that I can relate with in Confucian thought. I think familial relationships are one of the most important relationships in life. I also really came to respect the Mohist philosophy. Universal love connects strongly to Christianity. Initially, I thought I would really like the Taoists philosophy. I had no idea that they thought that those that didn't agree with them should be terminated. I do not like legalism. I would rather rule by love than by manipulation and fear.
AnonymousI was fascinated by these readings on the four major philosophies, and to be more knowledgable about Confusionism. I was able to make real life connections because I genuinely believe family is at the core of life. it also made me think a lot about my father's description of what it is to be a gentleman.
AnonymousI found the situation with the father very interesting. It really calls in to play one's logical moral thoughts versus their emotional, personal thoughts. I may think it is the right thing to do at some point to turn in a family member, but I know that I would never do it. Like a true Confucist, my family means everything to me. There is very little I wouldn't do for them despite the need of the greater good.
AnonymousThis was my favorite day of our class. I enjoyed the debate between the four philosphies of China. In high school, I took a World Religions class and learned an overview of Daoism and Confuscianism. However, after this class I realized that it was just that - an overview. The debate really allowed to better understand not only Daoism and Confucianism, but Mohist and Legalists as well. The format also was a lesson I have, and will continue, to use in my own classroom.
AnonymousI found it shocking when Clay noted that approximately 6-7% of the general population in China is a part of the Communist party. I was under the assumption that most if not nearly all were obligated to be a part of the party. It was also interesting to hear that up to 30% of the teachers in China are a part of the Communist party and that National Teacher's Day was on Confucius' birthday.
The debate portion was very insightful as to how involved older students could get if this activity were assigned to them. This would definitely go along with 21st century learning skills that we are headed towards. The final question regarding the father and if we would turn him in also brought forth critical thinking skills as we had to stay in our philiosophical roles to answer them with a partner from another viewpoint.
I personally enjoyed watching the clips from the various movies that Clay had on his laptop. I think "The Last Train Home" impacted me the most. It's a story than can be appreciated by all ethnic backgrounds as parents make a huge sacrifice to go out and work so that their children can have a better life, while the children can often feel abandoned by the parents who are never home.
A final eye opening tidbit Clay mentioned was the fact that the ultrasound machine is a major technical tool influencing families in Asia due to gender selecte abourtions. In the category of age 25 or less, there are 19% more men in China than women and in South Korea, there are more abortions than live births. Jaw dropping numbers indeed.
AnonymousI enjoyed the debate because i was able to clarify some of the ideas of each of the philosophies. I think I still need to learn a great deal more about each of the philosophies and how they intersect with one another. it was good introduction to these ideas. Discussion is always a good way of learning about a topic and a good way to see how people learn.