Session 2 - August 5, Clayton Dube, USC

[clay dube]

Just a quick note - the filial piety comics are part of a big series produced in Singapore. There are books on all the philosophers and many other topics. http://asiapacbooks.com.sg/Catalog/2/Comics

This approach is well established in Japan, where there are manga to teach about economics and many other questions. Back when some Americans were worried about Japanese economic dominance, the University of California produced Japan, Inc.: https://www.amazon.com/Japan-Inc-Introduction-Japanese-Economics/dp/0520062892

And there are serious (and sympathetic) comic treatments of Mao: https://www.amazon.com/Mao-Beginners-Rius-Friends/dp/0394738861

 

[clay dube]

The marriage question will be the focus on Lisa Tran's presentation on Thursday. She's an expert on how the Republican and Communist states sought to promote the rights of women, but to also deal with the reality of concubinage.

[Madeline George]

The filial stories about filial conduct  makes me think of the Bible stories I learned in Catechism... But Greek and Roman mythology elements seem to come into play as well.  ...The boy being forgiving and doing all that he should despite the family not behaving like family.  Thirst would make for a good lesson on universal themes. We talked about Cinderella.   Joseph and his coat, I think that the kids might have fun making connections between stories old and new.

[Monica Munguia]

In Lessons for Women, Ban Zhao assists women in describing and learning their gender role.  She proceeded by first describing herself.  I was immediately captivated by the adjectives used in the first paragraph.  She used “unsophisticated, unenlightened, and by nature unintelligent.”  This was as I understood it to represent humility that she was not smart enough but was fortunate enough to receive some form of education.  Then she proceeds to outline the fears infused if she faltered in her gender role.  This would lead not only to shame on her family but also on her ancestors.  So other women would stay on the right path and not fall into this pit of despair, she outlined lessons to help others.  These included humility, the ways of husband and wife, how to distinguish respect and caution, the four qualifications of being a woman, and implicit obedience.  Once again lessons are described with examples and details along with various adjectives to influence women.  I found in the inclusion of adjectives to have a persuasive tactic.  Where they really lessons or persuasive strategies to keep order in the household?  The more I learn of these women, the more I understand the strategies they used to survive.  They were told how to behave and what their roles would be in life; yet, they also manipulated household members to get what they wanted.  So, it seems as though it was a game; yet, if women did not have the upper hand, they could be subjected to harm.

 

[Anthony Pollard]

     Thank you for locating this website about filial piety, especially since they are more modern. One might think it's the first time one has heard of it. The five relationships seems so similar to the five types of conflict: Person vs. 1.) self 2.) person 3.) society 4.) nature 5.) unknown.

     I am not familiar with "hot moms" or "super moms" as its been descirbed, so more research is needed. 

[David Ojeda]

Nichole,

I like the idea of using the excerpt to focus on rhethorical devices. Perhaps the students could partake in a close reading of the text. For the first read, the focus could be pathos. The second read could be ethos, and the third could be logos. I could see this turning into a research assignment where students gather evidence from either our current society or perhaps from the historical context of the book.

[Midori Sanchez]

This article described the individualism that is emerging in China and being able to balance duty and what may be perceived as self interest. Dedication, bravery, sacrifice, and strength are all valued in this "new" woman. I put "new" in quotes because while there is encouragement to be one's on self with their personality and dreams, there is also the pressure to be able to perform as an incredible mother while doing so. That is an extreme amount of pressure for someone breaking into modern thinking and, as the article states, risks for the woman as well.

[Midori Sanchez]

Hello,

I teach 9th graders who, for the most part, have a similar view. I like your idea of combining the new with the old to ensure tyheir understanding of history as modern as well.

[Sophia Kang]

I found this story interesting as well because it serves as a parallel to the Western Biblical version of Abraham sacrificing his son Isaac. The continuation of stories like these where unquestioning obedience to a higher authority can lead to a greater reward seems to be a timeless tale. I would be interested in finding how these are reflective of people's values or idealistic beliefs. 

[Sophia Kang]

In Japan's Nakahara case mentioned by Dr. Dube, the One Child Policy, as well as the "Hot Mum" article, a pattern that emerges is the manipulation of images, propaganda, to influence the role that mothers should play in their families. In the first two cases, the government, in their attempts to control the economy, attempt to control these women in the name of greater comfort levels for the entire country. Sometimes, the government goes to the extent of mutilating the bodies of these women to achieve their goals whereas in the "Hot Mum" article, women are used to companies' benefits to entice customers who want to fulfill a perfect motherhood. 

[Ann Huyhn]

Shen Yifei's discussion about hot mom was really interesting.  She started by discussing her research and how the concept of hot mom is an urban terminology.  The hot mom is one who is knowledgeable about the internet, concern with her appearances, motherhood, and wife role.  It sounds like the hot mom is very current and is aware of how to help the child. I would use this term in my classroom to see what type of reaction I would get.  Many of my students' parents are very young so they might consider themselves as a hot mom. We would then have a discussion about why a woman would be known as a hot mom.  There are many images that Shen Yifei used in her discussion that I can have the students look at and have a discussion about.

[Ann Huyhn]

 

The photographs from The Met museum of the items in a Japanese trousseau is very useful to look at to have a more in-depth look at how elaborate weddings were for very wealthy families.  Many of the items are rare and took many hours to make, such as painting utensils, dolls, etc. For my students, we will have a discussion about marriage and how marriage was very important in uniting families.  This can then be tied into their own families and how their families had been extended because of their parents.

 

[Ann Huyhn]

There are many stories about filial piety that teaches one how to act.  I really like the cartoon illustrations of filial piety by Tan and Wu. In one of the stories, a son hires himself out to help his mom.  These types of stories can be found throughout China, but since it is in a cartoon format, it is easier to get the kids to become engaged with the material.  Also, there are not a lot of writing. The students can interpret the cartoon and come up with their own version of a filial piety story to share with the class.

[Celeste Modster]

Studying the life of Ban Zhao as a famous female figure in Chinese history and examining her within the Patriarchal Order of the period creates a great opportunity for comparing and contrasting gender and generational experiences cross culturally. Professor Dube's selection of the Movie Crazy Rich Asians allows a look at contemporary settings that I believe are relateable to my students when axamining the traditional role of women in families. I often think of the number of hats the matriarchal figures in a home assume and while honoring a patriarchael order. Ban Zhao, the historian, scholar, writer, politician, powerhouse also filled maintained selfless devotion to her family and the Emperor.

Using the Movie Crazy Rich Asians could be a great springboard for exploration and discussion of Ban Zhao's Lesson's For Woman, Ban Chao, Ca. 45-116. Are this lessons relevant and relateable in society today? Taking a look at our Grandmother's and Mothers, What lessons have been passed down through the generations? Are there similarities? 

I find the topic intreging and want to know what my studnets think.

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