[Anastasia Brown]

The inequalities for women in all societies is always disheartening. For some of these women such as Ho Nansorhon who kept up her poetry despite being married and continued to write despite her obligations. I remember the quote " women are to be seen and not heard." I always thougt that it was the saddest thing, but then learning that women especially in the U.S the point of going to university was to find a husband. Eleanor of Aquataine was a woman who defied the conventions of her time, she controlled her life and defied those who tried to hem her in. I like that Ho Nansorhon was such a woman who was given the opportunity by her family to be exactly who she was a poet. It was also interesting that before Confucianism many lived with their parents after marriage, whereas it was normally thought that they moved in immediately with their husband's family. The concept of "Shakespeare sister" I liked how they made that comparison.

 

The fact that there was movable print in 1234 is remarkable, but shouldn't be surprising. Many advancements did start in Asia and not in Europe, but since we have very limited point of view. Also, the fact that many people just focus on Japan and Chinese accomplishments and not the Koreans. The "Admiral" defeating the Japanese fleet with only 12 ships is something that I never heard before. 

[Anastasia Brown]

When watching the lecture and reading the philosophy unit. I didn't know about the Mohist and now that I have read about them they seem more down to earth than the other philosophies. I teach to my 9th graders or used to before they changed our curriculum about the Eastern Philosophies and how the people reacted or engaged with them. My students often ask me if China still follows the Confucian way of thought.  When looking at each of them I often ask which of the philosophies do my students agree with and more often than not a lot like Legalism. Surprising because they agree with the stringent way of the Emperor, but they also agree with Confucian with all the reciprocal of father to son, big brother to younger brother. I think especially in some cultures they see this familial relationship. 

[Anastasia Brown]

Hi my name is Anastasia Brown, I teach at Hinkley High School in Aurora, Colorado. I teach U.S. Honors, Geo and World History. I have taken many classes through NCTA, TEA and this USC program. I love learing about Asia and bring in more knowledge and informatino into my classes for my students. This area is often overlooked and I want my students to be aware of how important this regions of the world is.  I hope to learn more about Modern East Asia and bring that into my classes as we desiggn new curriculum.

[Anastasia Brown]

One of the main topics that I intend to teach is China’s Belt Road Initiative, within our unit on globalization we can look at how the projects that China are developing around the world. My students would be assigned different excerpts of the readings that pertain to the different plans that are being implemented in LDC’s. As well as doing a gallery walk of the different maps and visuals that we were presented in this seminar.

There is so much that we can use and for my different classes for my World History class we will be looking at how China is treating the Uighur people, and do a comparison to how other countries have treated their minority populations and have students look at what China is doing is not different from what other powerful countries have done.

As well as splitting up the different countries as was done here in this seminar. I like that idea of looking at the specifics of how each one worked, the literature, the roles of women. I enjoyed how this was presented and all of the materials that were provided. The videos that were shared with us was full of great information that I was able to learn more or reinforce what I have learned in the past. But most important for me was the role of women in East Asia and how important they were and their contributions especially in Japan with the female authors and artists. I love showing art and having the students analyze it and see how different and beautiful it is. How it reflects the culture, the time period and events that are seen as important

Reading the different comments of each participant has given me so much in terms of their point of view and material they shared have given me so much to use with my students. The options are great!!! In our World History, Ethnic Studies class as well as geography and U.S. History there is a lot to redesign and use for my students. East Asian history is often overlooked or the focus is usually on Japan or China.  I am excited about using the materials that were presented or suggested by the others in my classes.

[Anastasia Brown]

When I first learned about the expeditions of China during the Ming Dynasty, it was astonishing. We were never taught about these and I didn't actually know about them until college. I make sure to teach about him and these expeditions, and in the light of how China is currently treating its Muslim population. That he was a enunch and a Muslim. That as well that after he returned all the or the majority of the charts were either destroyed or not allowed to be used. I liked the term they used fo this time in China's history as the pendelum swinging shut. That he was able to help China establish and extend their commerical influence. I always make sure to discuss this in class with my students and do a comparison of the size of Zheng He's ships to the European ships. This is a part of what I added in my world history class when we are looking at the age of exploration. We start with China, and what they explored, brought back and trade routes they established then continue to the Europeans. 

[Anastasia Brown]

When I teach our unit on religion, we often focus on the Buddhism and the different types of Buddhism. Zen Buddhism was one that I found that was so interesting. Buddhism is fascinating to begin with, and with how it developed in Japan with its disttnctive especially with the interaction with the Shinto religion & beliefs. For my students to see the continuity of Buddhism from India, through China and Korea and eventually into Japan, they can see that the trade route of the Silk Road was more than for goods but ideas that flourished and planted its seeds. The fact that the different schools were based on how it was within China and India. The influences were important for the how it was during the Heian Period, with the temples. I think that they would find it interesting as I did about how big they became with the number of families and slave they had which isn't usually associated with Buddhism. The reading on Buddhism in Japan would be good to use in my class, the break up of the different schools of thought could show my students how each one was unique

[Anastasia Brown]

I never knew about the mythical origins of Korea and that they is an actual record of this not only in Korea but acknowledged in China. As well as the female rulers of Korea, the importance and that they were able to rule in their own stead, especially with Queen Seondeok. That is something that I have never heard of or learned about before in my taking of classes on Korea. This was the first time I have ever heard it mentioned. Just like the structure of the Hallowed Bones and True Bones structure and how the rulers come from each

[Anastasia Brown]

The fact that Japan was so fearful of the foreign influence and were able to close off their country was a position that I am sure that China wish it could have done. They were able to escape the chopping up of their country by the European powers and the Chrisitian missionaries. By regulating them to the island Dejiima. They were able then to keep their culture and country whole until the Americans opened up Japan by threats. But it surprised me how Japan then became more dominant in the short period of time to surpass China's influence. It helped create a solid foundation to go forth and know what their country wanted and needed. In teaching this and showing my class that Japan became a colonizer rather than a colonized country.

[Anastasia Brown]

I found the videos contained a lot of information that I had learned from previous NCTA seminars, and information that I didn't know. Especially that women were educated, especially women in the upper classes which was different from women in the upper and aristocratic classes of Europe. But the restrictions on the women in Japan seem to be more extreme, that they couldn' t be out in society and closed up in the house. As well as the influence of China on most aspects of Japanese society, writing, urban planning and the Korean influence with Buddhism. But that women of Japanese society became writers in their own right and influencial with their books: The Tales of Genji and the Pillow Book. are two such writings that are still read today. That they were literate in the japanese from of writing kana. 

[Anastasia Brown]

A few years ago I had read a article on how China was helping Nicaragua build another canal through its country. Just like the Panama Canal with the United States creating that. I haven't heard about it since first reading about it. But the one item in the article that caught my attention was that this project was being built close to the volcanoe and the quake zone. After listening the lecture the fact that China is involved in all these activites it remineded me of imperialism. Except now its China's turn to try and expand their influence not just in Asia, but in Africa, Central and South America. There have been other articles about China especially in Africa. One that caught my attention was the way China was treating the people or workers from the country, Nigeria. The workers were getting paid less than the Chinese laborers and demanding more from the Nigerians than the Chinese and the treatment of the workers Another power colonizing and exploiting the native populace. I shouldn't be surprised about how China is now extending their tentacles in countries considered 3rd world. If they are truly serious about the environmental issues there is a lot that they need to slow down on. From the lecture hearing that China is realizing that there are legitimate concerns about the environment and in halting the projects that they will not rust to complete them but to find a different way

[Anastasia Brown]

This was great!! I teach the 3 schools of thought Legalist, Confucianism and Daoism. I have never taught about Mohists. Which I am excited to incorporate now into my classes. Showing the students that not only these schools of thought have some of the same beliefs, as well as some teachings that are found now in western thought. I want my students to learn more about them and to realize that in some aspect they are still important today in China. But not only China, but their influences throughout the world. The comparisons between Dao and Buddhism my students have remarked on that. I want to know more about the Mohists, I had never heard of them until this class. The unit plan I will be trying with my classes next year. I like the idea of the of the discussion that you had set up for this class, Have the students match different types of governments in the 20th & 21 centuries to each of these schools of thought with the examples they give that support their answers. Especially, how man is scene by the different schools. We can easily categorize the different types of man and debate as to why they see man this way. 

[Anastasia Brown]

If my father broke the law and I was aware of this. I must report him. The laws must be followed. Even though he is my father, the laws must be followed or there could chaos. The laws are known and must hold all accountable to following the laws.  I must turn him over to the proper authorities

[Anastasia Brown]

Reading the article on coal usage in Japan was astonishing. In light of the Paris Accords and every country is trying to lower their coal consumption rather than increase it. But since Fukushima occurred they seem to be wanting to limit this type of disaster again, by increasing the number of coal power plants. I do find it unusual that the government and that those groups who usually focus their objections on the nuclear power now are focusing on the start of 22 new power plants. I wish in America we would look at new ways of using more renewable sources for energy. But I understand how the government would like to definitely avoid another Fukushima, but is coal the answer? 

The issue of birth rate is a problem for all developed countries. We have heard about Japan's declining birth rate for years and how they have been opening up for immigrants for labor. It is also interesting to read that it is happening in South Korea and China. America's birth rate is flatlining and comparing it to China would be interesting.  As well as the problem of aging in these countries, especially in Asian countries where it is part of the family, culture to take care of their aging parents, grandparents. The aging populations, dying villages, is also occurring in America. Young moving to the cities where there is more opportunity. Or getting married later, and deciding not to have children or just have one. But the trend seems to be more alarming in countries like Japan and South Korea. But China was interesting, due to their data not being accurate and the problems caused by the one child policy which has hurt families with aging parents who have no one to look after them. The problem of declining populations will hit most developed nations hard before 2030, but it is not surprising that Africa will be growing past the 21st century. 

[Anastasia Brown]

Hello!!

My name is Anastasia Martinez-Brown, adn I teach high school history 9-12, in Aurora Public Schools in Colorado. I have taught for 29 years, 26 in Denver Public Schools and now in Aurora. I have taught everything from Ethnic Studies, U.S., APWH, Geography, and am currently developing an Asian History class for my district. I am looking forward to this seminar and learning more about East Asia to help me create a great curriculum and add more to my current classes that I am teaching. I enjoy showing my students that the world is much more than their neighborhood, state and country. That we all need to understand other cultures, history and how we are interconnected. 

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