China Matters: From Mao to Now

With China’s rapid economic development since Mao’s death in 1976, China has become an increasingly complex and dynamic society. How can we integrate China into our teaching and situate China in a global context? This course explored political, economic, social, and cultural themes in China’s recent past and present (1949-today) with an emphasis on pedagogical approaches for the classroom.

U.S.-China Relations through the Scope of History

Participants explored the one-of-a-kind Terracotta Warriors of the First Emperor exhibit and then joined EARC and the World Affairs Council Global Classroom for a conversation with John Pomfret, former Washington post bureau chief in Beijing, and the author of “The Beautiful Country and the Middle Kingdom.”

East Asian Literature in Your Classroom: Graphic Novels and Cultural Authenticity

This one-day workshop gave teachers the opportunity to think deeply about “picture telling” in the art forms of the picture book, manga/graphic literature, and anime. Mary Roberts demonstrated ways to evaluate materials for accurate content and cultural authenticity. Then, participants had a chance to practice these skills and discuss the implications of “picture telling” with other teachers.

Book Club: “Street of Eternal Happiness”

Teachers met with China specialist Tese Wintz Neighbor to discuss the recently published “Street of Eternal Happiness: Big City Dreams Along a Shanghai Road” by Rob Schmitz. Schmitz is the China correspondent for American Public Media’s Marketplace show and a longtime resident of Shanghai. In this, his first book, he “chronicles his interviews and friendships with several of the shop owners on the street where he has lived for some years, plumbing their dreams and capitalist motivations.”

East Asian Philosophies and Religions: A Visual and Literary Introduction

East Asian Philosophies and Religions: A Visual and Literary Introduction explored the key philosophical and religious traditions that underlie East Asian belief systems, historically as well as in the present. Our course of study focused on the emergence of Buddhism, Daoism, Confucianism, and Shinto within their original contexts, but also considered how these traditions evolved as they moved across space and time. We examined art and literature to familiarize ourselves with each tradition’s associated doctrines, objects and places of worship, and practices. As we analyzed these sources, we paid special attention to the impacts of cultural transmission, both on the traditions themselves and East Asian cultures they influenced.

Neighborhoods in Japan: Learning and Teaching about Community through Stories, Videos, and Images

Neighborhoods in Japan used stories, videos, and images to build an understanding of community life in contemporary Japan. The seminar’s guiding question was be “How can we introduce our students to diverse stories of life in Japan?”  In addition to exploring a rich variety of resources, the week focused on adapting content and materials for use in grade 2-8 classrooms.

Write About Asia – Islam Across Asia: Art Practices/Cultural Politics

The Winter 2017 series was titled “Islam Across Asia: Art Practices/Cultural Politics” and is inspired by the fact that a majority of the world’s Muslim population lives in Asia. “This is an opportune time to explore diversity among their communities. Our series provides historical, cultural, and contemporary perspectives on Islam and the arts, from Central Asia to Indonesia” (description excerpted from the Gardner Center Website).

National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) Conference

EARC seminar leader Tese Wintz Neighbor and EARC Assistant Director Yurika Kurakata presented “Asia Matters: What Your Students Need to Know” at the annual NCSS conference in Washington DC. Eight other NCSS sessions also related to East Asia at the conference. Find information about them here.

What You Need to Know about Japan Since 1945

“Both professors’ presentations were extremely interesting! The resource session was carefully thought out.” — Middle school teacher

“I’m already building lesson plans for my World History classes!” — High school teacher

“I appreciated the breadth and diversity of topics was appreciated (literature, politics, popular culture, etc)” — High school teacher

Mao’s China: 1949-1976

Between 1949 and 1976 the Chinese experienced unprecedented joys and sorrows. Many of these experiences were rooted in the policies and personality of one man—Mao Zedong. This seminar invited Boise-area teachers to carefully examine the secondary and primary sources related to Mao’s rule over China with the guidance of Professor Shelton Woods.