wednesday (7/31) morning readings

[Anonymous]

It is getting more and more impossible to identify so called half breeds.why do we do this? What do we achieve when we prove anyone to be half breed. We could use our resources to cure World Hunger for example.

[Anonymous]

Today when listening to talk radio I had an aww moment when they were discussing how the opium market is the major funding mechanism for the Afgahnistan terrorists. It is interesting how opium was used to make revenue to fund wars in the 1800s and continues to be used to fund acts of war and or control regions today. Again this is an opportunity to compare the history we teach to events that occurring today.

[Anonymous]

The code of the samurai reminds me of the knights of King Arthur. I wonder if students can put a famous samurai next to a famous knight and do a characterization chart on both.

[Anonymous]

The code of the samurai is very similar to the idea of a Renaissance Man, good at swordsmanship, well read, always proper, etc. A good activity would be for students to compare the values between the two societies. A primary source called The Courtier outlines the values of a Renaissance man. Here is a snippet at the bottom of the page on the link. http://www.euro-webonline.com/world_cultures/Italy%20Birthplace%20of%20the%20Renaissance%2017%201.pdf

[Anonymous]

@dmillians. Your post reminds me of a movie quote from The American President, " How can people stand a man who says he loves America but clearly can't stand Americans." Of course I am bias, but how do the politicians of China love their country yet have no faith in their population to decide what is best?

[Anonymous]

@dmillians. Your post reminds me of a movie quote from The American President, " How can people stand a man who says he loves America but clearly can't stand Americans." Of course I am bias, but how do the politicians of China love their country yet have no faith in their population to decide what is best?

[Anonymous]

@dmillians. Your post reminds me of a movie quote from The American President, " How can people stand a man who says he loves America but clearly can't stand Americans." Of course I am bias, but how do the politicians of China love their country yet have no faith in their population to decide what is best?

[Anonymous]

In my Government classes I often have the students write their own constitutions. They are usually a bit silly and hypocritical but strangely enough they usually pick a monarchy (they romanticize the idea I think). I think Irving hem the Meiji Constitution as well as the United States Constitution before hand could be helpful to them. I would first have them identify the flaws they think both systems have.

[clay dube]

selection from The Code of the Samurai
fictionalized account of the story of the 47 Ronin (Keanu Reeves is in a new version of the story, to be released this December:
http://www.csmonitor.com/The-Culture/Movies/2013/0725/47-Ronin-Keanu-Reeves-as-half-breed-samurai-in-trailer)
the burial site of the ronin is now a tourist destination:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3000.html

National Geographic photo essay from 2003 on Samurai (these Japanese terms are both singular and collective nouns, never "samurais" or "daimyos" or "ronins", unlike warriors, lords, or masterless warriors)
http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/countries/samurai-photos/#/mask-worn-by-elite-samurai_12263_600x450.jpg

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[Anonymous]

This presentation spanned so much information about Chinese history that it was overwhelming but extremely fascinating. All of my international students currently come from China and I was able to understand their history so much better and understand some of their current rationale for certain things. One of those things are the feelings they have for Japan. Also, the mistrust of the Western world with the Opium Wars and their deep humiliation. This presentation has allowed me to better understand my students and has equipped me better with how I approach certain topics and ways of teaching.

A poem called "Thinking of My Home in West Lake Park" by Kang Youwei was mentioned. After looking it up, I came upon the website below. I plan on incorporating in my English lessons.

http://www.chinaheritagequarterly.org/features.php?searchterm=027_baohuanghui.inc&issue=027

[Author]

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