thoughts about session 2 on 7/23 w/Dr. Dube

[Anonymous]

Our school had a child mother was Japanese, butlivedin Korea. Shewas so grateful and and surprised by the lack of racism she was used to in Korea.
Also regarding population, there is a website -fathom info/ density that really illustrates
that china and India account for 40%of the world's population. The Economist recently also had a great map displaying country' s population by comparing sizes to that of a circle, great visual.

[Anonymous]

In my seventh grade world history class I have my students look at a map of Japan to discuss what they see and what it can mean before we really get involved in the lesson. For example, I ask them to tell me what Japan is, what is it made of? What does it mean to be an island nation? Does it affect their diet? Trade? Power of influence? Are the Japanese isolated? What does that mean? What implications come from isolation? Who are their neighbors? How are they influenced? This leads into a nice discussion where the students are providing the answers, and coming up with their own questions, too? We even throw out hypotheticals about the development of sushi, bonsai, and samurai in a stable and isolated environment. And, this covers the California state stand 7.5, focusing on the proximity of Japan and the transfer and development of influences. I think it's interesting about the Korean peninsula as a dagger in Japan's back.

[Anonymous]

I remember learning about the Nanking massacre, and how the Japanese would not apologize, while denying its exhistence. http://www.nanking-massacre.com/
edited by tsmith on 7/24/2012

[Anonymous]

It was very interesting to learn that postponing marriage, low birth rates, urbanization, and increased level of education in China and Japan is resulting in aging populations. This poses a real threat to the continued economic growth of these nations. Korea is currently encouraging women to enter the workforce in an attempt to fuel and expand the economy. This societal change will send Korea down the same path Japan and China are now treading. Europe and the United states buffer the effects of an aging population with immigrants and guest workers. Increasing the birth rate in highly populated countries puts extra demands on finite resources. It will be fascinating to watch East Asian nations come to grips with their dilemma.

[Anonymous]

The afternoon session was fascinating. Learning about the challenges that China faces with the pollution of their water and the relocation of many is certainly a challenge that I hope China solves. Interesting that the professor at Stanford thinks that polyandry will solve the surplus of males in China. I just think that a lot of available Chinese men can import wives from other countries via the internet, like some people do here. I was shocked that so many people live on the eastern part of China, and the density is something that is very hard to understand. Regarding Korea, I can certainly understand the apprehension they have towards the Japanese knowing some of the cruel treatment that the Japanese gave the Koreans. Also I didn't know that Japan was so long. I really like superimposing the maps to compare sizes as in the US and China and learning about how many nations border China. Looking forward to tomorrow.

[Anonymous]

It's nice to find out the funding source for this seminar.

How are they addressing their issues with not having enough water?

Being in this seminar reinforces that I want the students to get to know more aspects of the Chinese culture - so I'll bring them to L.A.'s Chinatown.

Learning about the name issues with the bodies of water near Korea is interesting. I agree it's important to be culturally sensitive, I agree. Peking was listed on one of the maps yesterday - talk about old school. Even when pronouncing the students' names or names of the people we are studying. I need to do more checking about how to pronounce the Chinese dynaties, locations...

I would like to get a copy of the five criteria for evaluating websites.

[Anonymous]

There is a really good documentary on Netflix about China's One child Policy called Lost Girls. It is a National Geographic movie with Lisa Ling (who I adore!) as the host. Here is a clip from youtube in case you don't have a Netflix account. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NlgYXaIdr7E

[Anonymous]

I found it really interesting how there is disputes on the “East” and “West” sea. I didn’t know that, so it was really interesting to learn that. Land rights is also one of our topics in my class, so I know I’ll bring this up.

[Anonymous]

I appreciated how Dr. Dube began the second half of the lecture on the geography of Asia. It is important to analyze who the neighbors are that surround each country and how the shape of the land affects the inhabitants. I also liked the overlay maps. They helped me to understand where cities are in the relation to the United States.

[Anonymous]

I think I am becoming fascinated with the Koreas. The disparity, despite the proximity, is baffling to me. It reminds me of some gangs out here in LA. I would love to have my kids think of how conflict can influence a culture, politics, health, etc. in relatively small scale in LA and then
How in the world do the Chinese function with 94% of the population residing on the eastern part of the country?! That is astounding! Americans would go completely insane if it was that way here.

[Anonymous]

It would have been really helpful to have had a copy of the Powerpoint beforehand or at least an outline of some kind. As an English teacher I really struggled with trying to keep lumps of information together. Even my note taking was a little all over the place. If the key is to absorb information about East Asia, it would have seriously helped to have as much in front of you as possible before Mr. Dube gets rolling.

[Anonymous]

The article about the tsunami in our reading packet was very sad. It was written with a pathos undertone, tugging on the reader's emotions. The article gave great detail about the devastation Japan suffered due to the natural disaster. This article was the first article I have read about the Tsunami in Japan. Moreover, I learned that 180 villagers had died and 1,800 residents had also perished. This was sad enough. However, the article was centered around a young Japanese girl who lost most (if not all) her friends and grandparents to the tsunami made the piece starkingly bleak. Nonetheless, it is times like this one, that the world steps in and helps out. The Red Cross raised 47 million dollars but it could never be enough to replace a life.

[clay dube]

Hi Toni,
Interesting comments about relocation - we relocate people to make way for projects (e.g., Chavez Ravine for Dodger Stadium, breaking up neighborhoods with I-10). But as with most things in China, the numbers are huge. The process is often ugly as well.

You might be interested in examples of resistance: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Smh8HpRLTxo .

[Anonymous]

The common people are the ones who have to suffer in the mist of routing water to Beijing. China has already built channels and have relocated people from their villages. These people do not have a choice. The people were told they would receive fair market value for their homes. But, they were given less amounts. They were designated a plot of land when they moved, but this land is low-grade farmland. So they cannot grow anything. Some people were relocated to a once used prison. Most of these establishments are falling apart. In addition, people in these areas do not welcome these new neighbors. So who are the ones who suffer the common people with all these external conflicts which they have no control over.

[Anonymous]

The articles I read stated that women in South Korea are postponing marriage and children. Eventhough more women are receiving an education, they tend to not want to be married and have a child. The article states it is because women will carry the burden of raising the child without the assistance of their husbands. Therefore, it will be difficult to balance their careers with a child. Women are often discriminated against in their jobs after having a child. So, my question is do women get shunned after they become mothers in Korea? Is their duty to be a mother solely and not have a career?

I believe we have a similarity in the US. We get the shorter end of the stick. As a mother I still need to balance my profession while being superwoman in raising my son. I have not been discriminated against in my job, but I often get questioned for taking time off to tend to my son. Does anyone else see a similarity?

[Author]

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