Global Energy Today: The Asian Nexus

A workshop for teachers
The Asia Centers, the Center for Global Studies of the Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies, and the Libraries at the University of Washington were proud to present “Global Energy Today: The Asian Nexus”, its 2017 Newspapers in Education series and workshop. The six-part series, in conjunction with The Seattle Times, included articles on the many aspects of energy production, distribution and use that affect this growing region. Our workshop included presentations by the lead series author, Professor Scott Montgomery of the University of Washington as well as an introduction to the curriculum that pairs with the articles, by guide author, Tese Wintz Neighbor.

Japan Beyond the Samurai: History and Culture for the Classroom

This free evening workshop held on January 9, 2018 focused on modern Japanese history and culture for current and pre-service middle and high school teachers and librarians, and was offered at the University of Montana, Missoula.

During this workshop, teachers discussed how to connect students’ interest and knowledge of Japanese popular culture (anime and manga) with larger historical events and developments from the nineteenth century and beyond. Lectures detailed the end of the samurai, the shifting urban/rural divide, and related cultural developments within the context of war and peace. The workshop also introduced teaching ideas and activities to help students explore historical connections between Japan and Montana including mining, development, and agriculture.

National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) Conference 2017

East Asia Resource Center seminar leaders Mary Roberts, Tese Wintz Neighbor and EARC Director Mary Bernson presented at the annual NCSS conference in San Francisco from November 17-19, 2017. The conference was well attended, allowing educators the opportunity to exchange knowledge, resources and best practices with one another.

Washoku: Japanese cuisine, identity and heritage

K-12 teachers participated in a half-day workshop on Saturday, October 7th at the 2017 Japan Festival. Presented by the University of Washington’s East Asia Resource Center, the workshop drew on cultural themes and current issues and was designed to share creative ideas for teaching about Japanese culture, past and present.  Teachers enjoyed their Japanese box lunches in the classroom after the workshop.

Write About Asia Fall 2017 series

Waterscapes: Imagery and Environment in Asia”.  Participants dipped “into a variety of waterscapes -past and present- as speakers explored complex meanings, cultural traditions, and contemporary environmental issues.

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.

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.

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.

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.”