Thoughts about session 3

[Anonymous]

I am also very happy to be taking this course. I began teaching imperialism last week and begin the unit with reflections about the silk roads and exploration and the motivation to gain direct access to trade in Asia. My students are familiar with caravels and the adoption/incorporation of Chinese sails into the fast sailing ships. It is important to note the advancement of the Chinese navy as well as the Portuguese presence.

[Anonymous]

I found the April 20 class to be fascinating. This is the type of interesting and informative material I hoped would be provided to us in this seminar. I really enjoy an instructor who is intimately familiar with the material. This was obvious from Mr. Dube's responses to various questions posed to him. The explanation of how civil service examinations evolved in Chinese history was especially interesting to me. Great class! I also was very interested in learning about the factors that caused the evolution of the various dynasties and the key personalities involved. This is what history is all about.

[Anonymous]

I took a seminar called the "songs of language." The discussion was focused on the different song of language that students hear at home compared to the song of language in the classroom. We "tuned in" to not only the meter of the words but the range of tone. I loved it when Clay was giving the lecture - in English he was animated, the tone was full and the meter was of course English. Then he took a minute to speak in Chinese -- physically he changed. His posture was calm, the tone soft and melodic and there was a calm in presentation. I think this is a wonderful way to experience Chinese culture. Just listening to other cultures expression -- as a "song."

Super cool perspective and observation!

Pat[Edit by="price on May 15, 3:44:46 PM"][/Edit]

[Anonymous]

The Marco Polo information was very interesting to me. Before this session, that name was just a name used so people could try to find you when their eyes were closed in a pool. It is crazy to me that so much could be written about his travels and now it seems as if he never even went to the places he claimed.

[Anonymous]

Before this session my knowledge of China included: some emperors, the great wall, the Emperors Palace, Communist Party and sweat shops. The nerd in me was intrigued about the China's examination system and like their people began to teach to the test resulting in the loss of originality and creativity (sounds familiar to today's CAHSEE and CSTs). Learning about the Mongols also removed some of the stereotypes I had about the people. It is just amazing of how much power the Mongols were able to have and control such vast amounts of land. They were able to control so much and this is before the modern ways of communication and weapons.
Another thing that amazed me was the whole Jesuit's plan to introduce religion to China-- this type of information we will never find in the regular history textbook!

[Author]

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