Session 1 - 9/28 (morning), Clay Dube

[Matthew Hurwitz]

I found the articles on the debate over the name of the Sea of Japan/East Sea and the discussion in class around names to be facinating. Having taught Geography in the past, and being a current World History teacher, I often go over certain naming controversies with students, looking at issues of how former European colonies grapple with the names of cities and countries that were imposed on them by others. But in class this last week, I realized that I've made one of the mistakes I often tell my students not to make: of taking the map at face value. Since I'm less familiar with the history of East Asian countries, I use the map to inform my understanding of the region, based on what the mapmaker decides to draw it as. It was interesting to read about the struggles going on between countries in the region over who has naming rights to things that on the surface seem trivial, but which carry a ton of weight and meaning. Someone in class (I don't remember who) remarked in our discussion about what constitutes "East Asia", that Australia is now including itself to some extent in the category of Asia, after spending decades separating itself off as "Oceania", which I thought was a striking shift. I'm looking forward to learning more about these kinds of struggles over names, narratives, and history in East Asia over the coming weeks!

[Iris Marin]

Andrew, I too enjoyed this article. The Chinese's emphasis on one correct answer to a question also caught my eye in addition to the fact that most of the debate participants were female.  The first caught my eyes because I feel there can be parallel's in some of our student's cultures. For example, in some latino families, you do what dad says and you can't question it hence when you start interacting with others you already have a set way of thinking (conciously or subconciously....men are right, don't question, etc., learn to be lady like) which makes it a little difficult in the beginning to employ these critical thinking skills. There are many dynamics that come into play such as gender roles, upbringing, religious beliefs, class,etc. It is interesting to note that being argumentative has rare appeal especially for females in Chinese society.

These youngsters are realistic about the issues going on in America, hence they are not necessarily star struck, I would agree with the contributer in the following: "The young Chinese assert—perhaps a little optimistically—that American college students are diverse, free and informed about the world." It may be true in comparison to their point of view, but I believe we have more to learn, diversify, and free ourselves from set ways of thinking. Although, I do believe this is true of college educated vs. non- college educated. I believe it also depends on course choices in college, whether you repertoire of knowledge is diverse enough.

[Iris Marin]

Yes, someone please enlighten me on this Oceania business. I have heard it thrown around, but I just thought it was a difference in how differrent continents referred to the world or the name at different points in time. Kind of like the naming of the sea point of view. I hate getting into all the name changes especially if you learn it one way then it gets changed suddenly, so you have to teach the new generation the new name. I can relate it to the alphabet in spanish where I learned a certain name for the v, w, y and recently the Real Academia Española has changed their names also, the ch, ll are no longer part of the alphabet but have been placed in the digraph category. Fun times!

[Lizette Bernal]

 

The article “Debating Contests Teach Chinese Students an Argument has Two Sides” discusses the significance of American education in the Chinese community. Living in the States for too long, or any other place really, can truly blind someone from what advatages they are offered. For this reason, it's fascinating to explore what students in other areas view American education as. The article states, "The young Chinese assert—perhaps a little optimistically—that American college students are diverse, free and informed about the world" (para. 7). With several ways to approach what American education is and should be to Chinese students, they are quick to make connections between both educational systems. While reading this article, it’s clear that Chinese students admire the way that the American education encourages a multitide of methods to achieve the "right" answer rather than assuming that there is only one correct answer that is "set-in-stone". This article is a great reminder that there is plenty to explore out of outside of what is "normal" to us.

 

[Lizette Bernal]

Hi Sara,

I was SO shocked at the infant mortality we discussed in the seminar, mainly because I'm unaware of a lot of what goes on in Asia (oops). I believe a prime factor in what causes infant mortality is the lack of resources and medical support. Since there is a high demand for energy to to equip machines, there's very little to provide infants with proper care. 

[clay dube]

In years past, we've highlighted foreign-born candidates in Japan and Taiwan. Some have been elected to office. A few short articles are below, including one on the success of Japanese women in the last election.

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[Angela Chong]

I've been reflecting on a couple of things, first that the countries of East Asia do not have much immigration. Second, attitudes towards immigrants by natives of East Asian countries. The article on the immigrant and her son who died in South Korea surprised me that people didn't want to reach out and assist defectors, since they had "made it out." Anyting I've heard about North Korea has focused on how hard it is to live there, and how difficult it is to get out. I assumed there was immediate and continuing help from those in South Korea, but the fact that the defector and her son died and weren't found right away demonstrates a lack of assistance and support for those who are able to get out. Also attitudes seem to be more of an us versus them mentality, than an attitude of we are humanity and we help others. This was a similar attitude in the artcle with the three women living in Japan, and the experience of the two women who were not native born. They very much felt like outsiders, and since there's not much immigration they were in the minority and no posibility of that changing anytime soon. Teaching Ethnic Studies we analyze and discuss the idea of the Dominate Culture disregarding anything viewed as "other." In the history of the United States asian immigrants have struggled against prejudice and legistation intended to exclude immigrants from Asian countries. I had it in my head it didn't occur in the opposite, but due to limited immigration in Asian Countries the reality is that the Dominate Culture is even more dominate. Definite contrast to immigrants from all parts of the world in the United States, although that hasn't necessarily changed the experiences of those not viewed as part of the Dominate Culture in the US either. Definitely getting more of an East Asian perspective on this one. Considering doing a unit on the Dominate Culture's attitude towards immigrants and non-natives in East Asian countires. 

[Angela Chong]

It makes me wonder what going back is like for them. Since things are so set ad decided in the lives of those living in China, it must be quite an adjustment to go back after attending school in the United States. Being pushed to find more than one answer, or way to the answer while in school, and then return to a place where that isn't only not encouraged, but could get someone into trouble if they push it to much. It also surprised me the Chinese government was willing to let so many students go out of the country for school. I would think the government would want to have more control over the younger generation. Except maybe the idea is to ensure the next generation is educated for a global economy, and this ensures they will be competative. 

[Angela Chong]

I taught World History last year and remember giving a map assignment and students had to label "Sea of Japan." I didn't even consider it would be named anything else, as that's what the maps in our book and the others I used online said. There was no indication it may be controversial, clearly not from the East Asian perspective. I was shocked to learn Australia includes itself with Asia as well. 

[Angela Chong]

I thought the same as I read that article. I had assumed more support and resources were in place in South Korea for defectors from the North. I was also under the impression efforts were taken to assist defectors in any way they could. You're right, Korea has been torn apart and the 70 years of separation has only created an us versus them mentality. Lile Central and South American immigrants in the United States residents are afraid of losing what they have and aren't thinking about helping those who are struggling more than they are. 

[Angela Chong]

I was also struck by the 6-8 people on a newspaper and can understand why people would want their own space as well. Our concept of space in the United States is quite different, and perhaps explains why Americans spend a higher percentage of our incomes on housing. Although because housing prices are higher here in the United States we end up living with roomates, which isn't as common in Japan. LIving alone isn't a reality for many in the US, until you have been working for several years first. I would imagine that their "own living space" in Japan is much smaller in comparison. 

[Robert Docter]

I was struck by the number of Chinese College students in America as well. I had to reread that line. It was also interesting to hear the view towards American education as a near "cop-out" versus gaokao. Reading the first part of the article brought me back to my undergraduate days. Two out of four roommates of mine were from China to study medicine. They never mentioned "gaokao" specifically, but I remember them explaining the incredibly intense examinations as high-school age students. One of my four roommates was from South Korea as well, and he explained a very similar type of testing day in Korea called, "Suneung". The country nearly devotes itself for the test date as students prepare for years to take the test before they head to college. 

[Robert Docter]

Reading the NPR story about Han Seong-OK struck a chord, more so about the isolating and lonely life she faced when arriving in S. Korea. Although she was pursuing a better life, it was heart-wrenching to read about her and her son's death. The fact that it took two months to discover them. The question of responsibility leaves the reader wondering. I appreciate your link to LA as its a similar issue to the rise in homelessness, including families with children. 

[Robert Docter]

One of the (many!) takeaways from last Saturday was the naming controversy for the sea that's between Japan and Korea (Sea of Japan according to Google Earth). As the seminar and reading detail the history between both countries with its history of painful memories of occupation, I was fascinated by the weight of naming geographical places and the implications they can carry. More so, It was a reminder for me as a High School History teacher to not merely throw maps or geography matching activities to my students. Rather, an examination of Geographical names is vital to understanding a particular place. Not to simply tell students that the sea between these countries is "Sea of Japan", but to instead go into detail about the naming of that sea from multiple angles and perspectives. Even Geography has bias that needs to be addressed. Additionally, the few articles discussing the name of the sea reminded me of the weight of History books in general. Last year, I remember a man speaking to my teaching class from LAUSD's Social Studies curriculum department. He shared about the protests of certain groups when LAUSD adopted a new social studies textbook last year due to names of places, lack of details about specific events, and/or biases in the texts. 

[Angela Chong]

Yes, for all the access to health-care and considering the socioeconomic level of the United States our infant mortality rate is surprisingly high. It's even worse when looking at infant mortality rates for racial miniorities, specifically African American mothers. I wonder if it's related to lack of healthcare? I did a little bit of googling, and China has socialized medical care, where nearly all residents have basic health coverage, similar to Canada. something we don't have in the United States, although the Affordable Care Act made coverage available for purchase, it didn't automatically guarrantee it. Still, I would imagine in rural parts of China access to clinics and other medical facilities may not be readily available. I wonder too if it isn't related to the importance of providing assistance to mothers pre and post delivery. Maternity leave is often limited, and in many cases doesn't involve paid leave in much of the United States. The pressure to return to work, which for many is a matter of survival, plays a part in maternal health. I remember in one of our sessions it was mentioned that it's expected that you will get married in China, and that you would then have children. THere must be more supports in place, beyond simly the expection. 

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