Thoughts on the Last Session

[Rob_Hugo@PortNW]

The last session was extremely informative. Clay is a man filled with great information that when he starts talking, everyone listened. I don't think anyone wanted to go home at 7:30. I was so interested in learning more about Mao. I had no idea who Mao was (maybe a little), but Mao turns out to be a very intelligent man with a laser focus vision. I loved listening to Clay lecture on stories of how the Chinese people came together and really worked as one unit--even when it comes to eating!!! I was waiting for the part when things started to fall apart, but we ran out of time!!! Clay, thanks so much for all the great lectures!! Have a good summer.

[Anonymous]

I agree. After spending the last three years getting my masters and a teaching credential while teaching on an intership contract, I have had to take a lot of classes. It has been so nice to be able to sit and enjoy learning. I also had no idea about Mao China, but I did end up trying to explain the labor party movement, where people were volunteering to work in support of the party. Someone asked, "Did it work?" and I was surprised that I knew that it didn't, so then I started talking about grain. I feel like I just mimic everything that was said in class whenever I teach. The other day, I said, "I just had my last class on East Asia," and a student of mine actually booed.

[Anonymous]

I really found it interesting to hear about what you needed to get married. Three things that go around, a bike, a watch, and a sewing machine. Wait.. How does a sewing machine go around? Does it matter if you know how to sew or not? I have two of the three. Still need a sewing machine. Maybe that is why I am still single. I need to learn how to sew. Thanks Clay for making the class interesting and informative! Your personal experiences helped to bring everything together.

[Anonymous]

Great final session. Lots of great information I would never have learned if I hadn't taken this class. Also, it was nice to get some questions answered about our final project. I know this is off topic of the final class, but I watched Pearl Harbor over the weekend and had a different perspective...

[Anonymous]

I really enjoyed the last class and then entire course. Coming into this class, I wasn't sure what to expect. I taught China and Japan, but wasn't really interested in Asian history (or so I thought). Taking this class taught me a lot and gave me a ton of information that I can share with my students. Right now my advisement class is watching the world cup Brazil vs. North Korea. They are asking a ton of questions about North Korea that I am actually able to answer because of this class. Thank you!

[Anonymous]

The last session was bittersweet. It was great to end with Dube because he is always fun and engaging, but it was too short. I learn so much from this seminar. I will be recommending other teachers to take advantage of the wonderful opportunity. BTW, it was funny to hear that Kobe fame is well loved by the Chinese. Go Lakers!!

[Anonymous]

I have missed the Tuesday evenings in the company of my fellow educators! Now that school is out, I have time to dedicate to this wonderful resource. As I've mentioned before, I have learned that my students show more interest in a subject if I bring in in some medium the experiences of people their age. That is one of the reasons I was a bit disappointed that we didn't get to the Chinese Cultural Revolution!! But I also felt a little like Professor Dube in that there is just never enough time to cover everything. Facing History and Ourselves, a non-profit organization that strives to educate young (and old) on the importance of tolerance and acceptance of differences through the use of historical case studies, has a wonderful new teaching guide on one autobiography of a young person who lived through this period. I have mentioned it before in this forum and I am mentioning it again because it is worth looking into. The guide can be downloaded for free (as is all their guides) and can be found at http://www.facinghistory.org.

[Anonymous]

The last session of class reminded me of all the good information and resources we now have at our disposal, as teachers, for future lessons in not only our history classes but also the lessons we can share regarding the value of learning what errors civilization has made in the past and how we, as enlightened citizens, can help not only our nation, but also our world. This is the ultimate value of studying history. Hopefully we will not repeat mistakes of the past by others.

[Anonymous]

THANK YOU for this great opportunity to learn so much about Asian countries. I wish this seminar could continue. I especially appreciate how "history" was taught along the regular human aspects, making the information more accessible and approachable to teach to my students. Personally I have a better "lense" in how to see future Asian related politics/conflicts/events. Prof. Dube thank you for sharing aspects about your personal life... made things easier to understand. This seminar definitely has given me more tools to use with my students and hopefully foster better conscience citizens.

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