Session 1 - 10/20/09 - Dube - Introduction/Geography

[Anonymous]

I was very delighted to be an active participant in this seminar. I love teaching Ancient Social Studies at middle school level. Since I have students from Asia, I am so interested in learning about their culture. Attending your seminar is one way to learn more about my student's backgrounds which will help me to understand their behavior. thanks for being there for us.

[Anonymous]

"The geographical situation of Tokyo is potential to a catastrophic king of earthquake" . All this information was new to me, now I understand why Asia is at high risk of going through a catastrophic earthquakes every thirty years.

[Anonymous]

I was sick with the flu and missed the first session. But I did do some of the reading for the seesion afterwards (since I got my reader a week later). I am especially interested in the "Odd Couple" article and North Korea. I still cant believe that Kim Jong is in power and that he's killed so many, and so many have died of famine. I won't even talk about all the nuclear war-heads, atomic bomb technology they have. While its a highly political issue, I always wonder about the common man-the people. I do believe, as the article speaks about, that they have developed a different culture. But I do have hope that, like Germany, they will find a way, a direction once the North Korean regime falls. It will fall. the question is when. The article talks about North Koreas needs from South Korea. I like that. I like that scholars are already planning the unificiation.

[Anonymous]

I was totally absorbed by the discussions of Asian Economic Factors, and the world today. So much turmoil in the economies is happening today, and since China is a great factor in world economies, this information is vital for discussions related to our present economic recession. I was glad to hear that California is still in the running of world economies, as I see a great deal of container ships from China going in and out of the Port of Los Angeles, when I am at the docks. Now I can share some great facts about a great economy like China, and its relation to California as well. The subject of the Chinese Olympics has come to the forefront more than once in our Learning Center Discussions. I only wish that the balance of trade was more even, but let's face it the Chinese have some great stuff to buy, and their creativity is at the forefront in the world of decorative arts.

[Anonymous]

Hi. everyone. As I had mentioned before I missed the first session, so I went to the Japanese-American Museum with my family to make up the session. I do have to make a side note that the Museum, thanks to a grant from Target, has many family free days during the year. We attended the November 14th Family Day. I especially love this because there are lots of Asian arts and crafts for everyone, music, performances and the regular and special exhibitions. My children love it, and have come to call the museum the "arts and Crafts" museum. On this day they were taiko drum players, which we really loved, a Kidding Around the Kitchen layout where the children were chopping vegetables and making a japanese soup, sing alongs (I dont remember the japanese songs) and the children made origami and an interesting tambourine (I'm not sure what it was but it looked Japanese to me, pardon the ignorance). Finally we visited the galleries. The first was the Common ground, which is about Japanese Internment (its on the upper floor). Its the story of Japanese Americans in the US and their experience moving and living in the camps. The ground floor consisted of the "Giant Robot Biennale" exhibition about the Giant Robot magazine and their issues. Its sounds naive but I didnt realize how extensive the cartoon and video culture, based on Asian figures has impacted our culture. It was a great visit. The museum is free every Thursday night from 5pm to 8pm. I highly recommend it.
P.S. I just checked the resources and museum page and Clay had sent out a message about this very activity![Edit by="dtorres on Jan 15, 1:44:56 PM"][/Edit]

[Anonymous]

I thought the first session was a nice first step in our studies on East Asia. Clay Dube set the stage on the rationale for studying about East Asia based upon its economic, strategic, and cultural importance in world affairs. As we live in an interconnected world, students need to understand the historical and geographical context of East Asia and how it effects the modern world. I read an article recently that stated course offerings in foreign languages in US schools are on the decrease in all languages, except Mandarin. One concern I have about the interest in China is that much of it originates from economic reasons and its huge market rather than rooted in a genuine interest in and an appreciation for the people, history, and culture of China.

[Anonymous]

The background on the Chinese dynasties was great. I have never had all of these centuries presented so suscinctly, and in a way that is managable and usable. This lecture was a great resource on these periods of Chinese history, which can be used as background for a Modern World History class.

[Anonymous]

Very interesting discussion on whether Marco Polo really visited China and the Khan. Ever since my elementary school days, this has been as real as Columbus having come to the Americas. It was one of those "facts" of history. It was great to here "facts" being challenged. In the end however, after listening to both sides of the discussion, I am still of the belief that Marco Polo did visit the Khan in China. But these are fascinating areas of discussion that we should have more of.

[Anonymous]

In regards to earthquakes....Chile's 8.8 earthquake had Hawaii on tsunami alert and now Japan has evacuated thousands of people....Will the geography of Japan be a protection?
When you study the geography of Japan, how is it possible to have a unified country with such geography?
North and South Korea, will there ever be a time with no boundaries?

[Anonymous]

My thoughts and prays go out to those country's.

[Author]

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