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Margaret SiryjContemporary China has been an interesting view into China’s venture into new territory with its relations with other countries, namely the United States. As an Economics teacher of 12th grade seniors who are on the precipice of graduating and becoming adults, it has been helpful to assist my students with current economic policies between China and the US. My students have gleaned information that I shared through Dr. Dube’s articles that he carefully prepared for all of us. My seniors have been quite surprised at the heightened involvement with China, especially with trade wars, Chinese commitment to fighting air pollution, and the electric automobile industry, to name a few. I plan to continue to share recent economic information to my students hoping to instill and nurture their thirst for knowledge.
I have enjoyed the online atmosphere and meeting all of our participants from literally all over the country. I appreciate everyone’s authentic contributions to the weekly online discussions. The posts have been enlightening and thoughtful. As educators, it is a classroom community that we all share and being genuine with each other and all of our students helps spread the word of our wonderful partnership with China. Students can be sparked with learning about China, and we never know what inspiration may come from a classroom activity or research project.
Margaret SiryjThis article could be a great way to frontload a learning segment. In other words, high school students can be exposed to some interesting, and perhaps, eye opening graphic data that the article shares. In Economics, students learn about limited resources, and how countries must decide how to allocate. The first subheading addresses trade. The topic sentence begins with a surprising statistic if you are not aware of what China has been up to regarding trade in the last ten years. As we know, Africa is rich in some resources that China and the US need. The article points out that China is focusing on African commodites while the US stays centered on manufactured goods. In either case, Africa is becoming a good ally to both countries. I enjoy using graphic images, and graphs are powerful because visually it is easy for students to spot possible trends and discussion questions can be used to engage critical thinking.
Margaret SiryjThanks for posting this article, Dr. Dube. It is important that a teacher understand the cultural differences if planning to teach students who reside in another country. As educators, it is our responsibility to embrace students and their cultures. In the teaching credential, it is addressed that culture throughout an individual classroom or set of rosters can place any individual student around the globe. Respect is paramount when you are a teacher. Yes, there are certain topics that should be avoided, but this exists in all educational arenas. The article stated that China spent over 5 billion dollars for Chinese education technology, and this amount will likely grow. I agree that it is essential that an educator is sensitive to each of its students and this is accomplished through rapport building and knowing your audience in any classroom, physical or electronic.
Margaret SiryjThis is an interesting post, Brett. As you mentioned that the Chinese "Namely, China seeks to maximize their influence and capacity within an anarchic system, bend rules when they can, break rules when they think they must, and by all means cheat – but don’t get caught doing it." is more of how China sees itself as a nation. Internally, China throughout history has been insecure even though the country is a.mbitious. Essentially, their economic options did not transend their political choices and options. It is fun to watch what will happen with US relations with China
Margaret SiryjThis was another article from the Economist, and I enjoyed some of the ideas presented. Much of my family resides outside of the United States, and Than Swe reflects many of my family members sentiments regarding our nation. Some say that the US considers itself, "all that" and we are cavalier in our approach of handling foreign policy. The map featured and highlighted planned railways, oil and gas pipelines, and ports. Just like my family, a dichtomy exists between ideas of American intentions and whether they are positive for their country, or negative.
The article argues that the Chinese intentions seem to be colonial in nature. Throughout history, colonism has been witnessed throughout the world and with the featured map, one can certainly ask and ponder the Chinese colony question. Others may argue that this massive buildup in infrastructure that China has initiated is good for citizens of other countries. The citizens, after all, enjoy the benefits that Chinese capital has brought to the country. However, some see it and become resentful. The Economist goes on to report that much of the capital expenditure Chinese spending does not get reported, and therefore, can be suspicious in their overall intentions.
This question of colonism vs good will and expansion could be a great discussion for World History and Economics students. I am thinking of parallels between India and the United States.
Margaret SiryjThe cover story from Economist has an intereting article about China's belt and road project. To begin, the author states and defines what is meant by "belt". The belt is the land area that China is eyeing for their advancement projects. The "road" is the waterway and the sea route. Many countries see this massive project or initiative to be problematic because they are suspect that the Chinese plan involves more of a takeover. Since Chinese citizens are not very likely or encouraged to voice their concerns, this may become a fertile ground for Chinese expansion. Hegemony becomes quite risky and some countries are not willing to take the risk.
One of these countries is France. Their concern is that with the Chinese belt and road, it could be easily transferred into a single-sighted project without a lot of input from the very countries that China is promising to benefit. The balance of power may shift and could concern other countries and alliances. However, United States is working more closely with China so America should continue working with the Chinese. In the classroom, it could be a great discussion with either World History or Economic students. China is ever present with my students and their fond electtonics.
Margaret SiryjThis comment piggybacks on the previous post. Perhaps, because art is self-expression, Soi may be greatly concerned for this very element in what he has created over time. Self-expression is what Art and Art History is all about, and why many people choose this form of employment for their career. When I studied his work throughout the article, I found myself googling him and saw more interesting pieces that caught my eye.
I want to show my students and ask them, "Do you think that Soi and other artists are in fear of what their future holds if China becomes more involved politically and economically?" Also, I want to extend this to all artists who display self-expression. To what extent does China allow its citizens to be "self-expressive"?
Margaret SiryjI am interested in Art History and the historiography of it. Naturally, I was drawn to the article from Quartz Africa that suggests that African artists, and many other Africans are concerned about the more recent happenings with geopolitics between these two countries. As it was mentioned in our discussion last evening (3-26-19), China is interested in Africa's natural resouces. Let's be honest, the idea of conquest and contest have been around since the first two humans. Dr. Dube mentioned that the Republic of the Congo is an interesting place and sought after by the Chinese for cobalt, which is used for solar and wind power.
The African artist, Soi expressed his concern and "frustration" for Chinese artists who attempt to represent his country. The article goes on to say that many Africans are suspicious about the relations that are happening within their country and China. Quartz Africa continues with the notion that this is just a "spy game" and the Chinese are scoping out Africa, and may even go as far as being cynical? about who will be running the country/
This article can easily be used in my Economics class and World History showcasing how governments can rapidly change, and quite often over history, this has occurred numberous times. So I think a great question to pose to my students could be, "How does an African artist who seemingly has no political ties in relation to the art world, have a stake in the political arena?
Margaret SiryjJudy, I appreciate your post, and totally share your concern for linguistic minorites. i have a student who has a cochlear implant and lost his hearing at two years old. He works trmendously hard and his parents are the best advocates for him and his needs. That being said, what is done for Chinese children who may have the same or similar situation and don't have the ability to have someone speak or address their needs sufficiently. When I first met this student, he would not participate in class, but knew that he was a lip reader. After class the second day, I spoke with him, and he was concerned about the fellow classmates and how they would react to his voice. My male 10th grader is one of the smartest students in his class. I made it quite clear to him that our classroom community would be built on respect, and it was totally OK for him to verbally contibute to class discussions.
I am saddened to hear that your students are below grade level in reading, and they struggle with grade level content. I am curious if New York offers additional services to the deaf and hard of hearing students. For example, are CART services available to your students? Yes, I agree, the one child policy can be problematic when your first born has major health issues or even worse, if your only son or daughter unfortunately pass from a rare and fatal disease. What happens next?
This article could be an interesting one to bring up and discuss with students.
Margaret SiryjThe Reign of Xi Jinping had education as one of the ruler's famous foundational beliefs. He wanted to bring Confuscian schools to the mass public. When one thinks about the number of American schools being at 500, Xi Jinping did an outstanding job and accomplished his mission to educate the Chinese people, and reach worldwide in a long standing religion.
You bring up an interesting point regarding Chinese pushback on such information being available to Chinese people. The internet is highly monitored by the Communist party, and Chinese citizens need to be watchful on their websites and access in general. Unlike the United States and other countries, China has strict guidelines to what can be published or viewed on the web.
Margaret SiryjChris, this is an interesting post. Your point of decreasing population is prevalent in another Asian country, Japan. Japan is in trouble because their population is aging very rapidly. This is a big issue and becomes problematic because as the Chinese overall population is getting older, there are fewer younger, and more able to do the labor needed to take the country forward economically. Another issue to discuss is the cost economically to nurse the elderly Chinese. The problem you discussed can be two fold meaning aging citizens need more healthcare, and eventually will retire. With the one child policy, China's focus was meant to decrease the overall need for food. On the other hand, with only one child per family, the overall labor force is in trouble due to decreasing numbers of workers.
Margaret SiryjThis movie, My Neighbor, Totoro, is part of a group of animated films by famous Japanese cinematographer named Miyosake. Miyosake is an incredibly talented moviemaker who has created about 10 or so films with many of them previewing around 15 years ago. Some of his most famous works are: Nausicaa and Spirited Away. I would highly recommend My Neighbor, Totoro, as it is a great story of the power and resiliance of coping iwth an ill parent. This movie stars two sisters, elementary in age who are thrusted into an adventure.
The two young sisters find their mother ill and in the hospital, but need to look after each other while do the best they can. This movie even though focusing on younger females can be viewed and appreciated by elementary through high school aged students because of the powerful message of coping. It is an emotional movie with coping as a moving theme that jettisens two siblings into an adventure with a forest creature. They go to the forest, located by their home and befriend a magical creature. This creature helps them cope and carry on while their mother is in the hospital.
in one of the scenes, it is nightime and the sisters are visiting their outside garden and the forest creature appears and helps them and their plantings. The two sisters experience "forest magic" by witnessing plants effortlessly growing, almost by magic. Meanwhile, the girls' mother is getting worse and has to continue being away from her two daughters. The older daughter attempts to carry on, but needless to say, this is quite difficult for an elementary aged girl..
This movie is geared more to a younger audience, but some of my colleagues teach Middle School, and have said that it can be effective to the tween audience, too. I would suggest to high school students who have an Individual Education Plan with Special Educations services and instruction.
Margaret SiryjDr. Dube's Mini Lecture regarding environmental China was quite interesting and surprising on several fronts. Wen Jiabao was certainly concerned about China's Economic Growth as he stated it was "unsteady, unbalanced, uncoordinated, and unsustainable". However, fast forward to 2017 and the graphs were noticed as great improvements on the part of the Chinese. In 2007, about 10 years ago, roughly 1000 Chinese people died prematurely due to air pollution, and in 2016 that number was quadrupled. But the surprising part came with the pie graphs featured in the lecture. Hydropower, wind, and solar panel production which is the largest clearly demonstrates that China is making tremendous strides and is highly contributing positively to the overall decrease in air polution.
My World History students can continue to research China and report the most current information available for proactive attempts and celebrations for air pollution reduction. I think my students will be just as surprised as I was seeing the pie graphs with comparisons for China and the US.
Margaret SiryjThe Evans' Article from 2010, published in "China Quarterly" argues that culture and its "socially constituted articulations" including idioms and symbols are ever-evolving and changing. Many urban young women and their younger city friends are being molded by China's cityscape and ways of life. These women and their mothers do not necessarily agree and experience generational differences. Evans suggest that similar to Western ways and ideals, mothers and their daughters have different views when it comes to intimacy. Intimacy is a private emotion and interpersonal ethics have not been part of the dialogue between mothers and their female offspring. This would be an interesting classroom discussion for my seniors, my sophomores could not handle it, but my 12th graders would be open to share if interpersonal ethics is a topic that is discussed in their home, or is it considered "off limits"?
Margaret SiryjDr. Dube raised an interesting question when he highlighted the presentation slide of the breakup of communes. The communes were disbanded from 1978-1984, and it is the idea that we as educators should discuss with our students what is more important: qualitative work vs quantitative work. Yes, we need both, but it seems that some students can have an enabled attitude meaning that just because they produce a piece of work that is marginal, at best, they should be highly rewarded with a great grade. As teachers, it is important to show what you are expecting with samples, using examples that are of highest quality so students rise to the expectation.
In the online lecture, Dr. Dube mentioned the Chinese internet stars and how they are rewarded by financial means, as well as gifting. It is interesting that some of my students seem to think that being an internet star or influencer, a person who promotes a particular product is making easy money. This way of making an income is attractive to some of them, but when I tell them how many days a week and the number of hours a day influencers spend promoting, it is no longer that attractive. Unfortunately, students who are living under their parents' roofs have little idea of how their parents have to hustle and work hard to make it happen. My seniors do a research project on just how expensive it is to rent and maintain an apartment. It is truly an eye-opener, and they go back to their parents with a whole new appreciation to what it takes to get food on the table.
