This 18 hour professional development seminar series explores how currency serves as a lens for understanding national identity and national narrative making in China, Taiwan, and Japan. By examining the figures, images, and places depicted on banknotes and coins, educators will gain new strategies for teaching about modern Asia in the classroom.
The course starts Sunday, June 1st and ends Wednesday, July 3rd. Participants will engage with 4 online modules, attend three 2-hour live Zoom sessions, and complete a final assignment.
Here are the details for the Zoom sessions:
Session 1 – Tuesday, June 10, 2025, 4:30 -6:30 pm Pacific Time: National Identity Through: Historical Figures
We’ll explore how governments select individuals to feature on currency and what these choices reveal about the values, narratives, and political priorities in China, Taiwan, and Japan. From revolutionary leaders to cultural icons, this session will examine the roles of these figures in constructing national memory.
Session 2 – Thursday, June 12, 2025, 4:30 -6:30 pm Pacific Time: National Identity Through: Cultural Objects and Images
This session looks at the symbolism behind visual elements on currency, such as traditional motifs, monuments, and artifacts. We’ll discuss how these images reinforce national stories and cultural continuity, and how educators can help students interpret visual culture in historical context.
Session 3 – Tuesday, June 17, 2025, 4:30 -6:30 pm Pacific Time: National Identity Through: Geography and Places
Currency also maps the nation onto everyday life. We’ll investigate how physical landscapes, architectural landmarks, and regional symbols on currency reflect political geography, contested histories, and national unity. Each session includes a short presentation, breakout discussions, and take-home classroom resources. Teachers of world history, geography, art, and social studies will find this series especially relevant. Participating teachers should plan on being active participants.
Program Expectations
Using Moodle, participants will complete online assignments asyncronously and pre-readings and materials for syncronous Zoom work. There will also a final assignment. Participants must participate in three 2-hour Zoom sessions.
Program benefits
- Teaching resources.
- 20 free WA OSPI clock hours.
Program leaders
Dr. Brian Dowdle, Associate Professor of Japanese Language and Culture, and Mansfield Fellow, University of Montana.
Dr. Lauren Collins, Program Director of Asian Studies at the University of Colorado Boulder.