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Martin CastilloDr. Kim's presentation brought to mind a movie I had seen a few years back at the USC KSI Korean Film Festival. It is a movie suited for anyone of any age.
Comrade Kim Goes Flying is one of those entertaining movies that had a slight "propaganda" angle, but was a good view. It is a feel good film than anyone aspiring to do something different from their norm would connect with. In this film, her co-workers help her try to achieve her goal. The conflict between her work and aspirations is very evident. And of course, romance is involved. As per "its British co-director Nick Bonner, the film is 'light, refreshing, fun romantic comedy' about 'girl power.'
Yes, there is that subtle propaganda hint, but the movie lends itself to family, work, life, and our desires to accomplish and do something greater than ourselves for our own sake no matter who or what uses it for their agenda.
Martin CastilloThis is truly a gem of a museum for its location.
I really enjoyed the "time line" the museum offers. On the first floor it was really cool how they compare the rice in the bowls as the Chinese population grew in the LA area. The pictures are so wonderful, it adds a face to the numbers on the wall. The short multimedia clips along the wall are wonderful also, it shows how Chinese immigrants succeeded in America. It also highlights the challenges that tried to keep Chinese from achieving a better life: racism and stated and federal laws.
The upstairs exhibition of the more modern Chinese experience was also wonderful. Seeing how the Chinese became successful and leaders in their communities and later in California as whole was wonderful. It also showed how the Chinese have affected the landscape with their festivals and assimilation to America. The general store exhibition was great, it had displays of the various items Chinese could buy at this stores whether from China or locally. I was also impressed with the display of artifacts found in the area: plates, cups, bottles, etc. At times we are too focused on the big archeological finds, when in fact we can find more modern finds that speak and attest to those before us.
Finally, the modern exhibition of art and music will definitely draw most students' attention. The art was wonderful, clean, and full of message.
The CAM is definitely a go to museum for student of any age. It's not too big and not too small for a class or two of students. The realia displayed will reinforce what we are teaching in the classroom from the reasons and beginnings of Chinese immigration to the present.
Martin CastilloPerhaps a little too glamorized view of Pyongyang/DPRK, but a good intro to the DPRK.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKRidQJQLrs
Martin CastilloHi. I am in the back row being kicked by the red-hatted green elephant. (*o*)
The introduction to the KCC was wonderful. The video gave a very general view of Korean culture. I for one am interested in Korean Medieval history. The many contributions made by Koreans were evident in the video. I found the information about the woodblocks and its connection to Buddhism very interesting. As in some cultures, literacy and the writing of the religions canons go hand in hand. Despite the fact that Korea developed its own form of writing, it is still worth mention how China, Japan, and Korea are interconnected. In class it would be a good lesson to point out to students the difference between Chinese character writing, Japanese writing, (kanji, hiragana, katakana) and Korean writing.
The downstairs exhibition was also wonderful. It provided a more modern view of Korea. In addition, it is a good way to hook student with modern happenings in Korea. Most non-Asian students cannot differentiate the various Asian cultures, let alone the East Asian cultures who share a lot. Also, the exhibition provided pamphlets and maps that can be given to students as pseudo realia.
Martin CastilloAs always, a great presentation by Professor Dube.
In the Maya world there are five major colors: Red for the East (the sun rises); yellow for the South (heat); black for the West (the sun sets); white for the North (coolness/rain) and green/yellow for the middle/center. There are also colors used for the medieval European coat of arms: blue for royalty; red for warrior/martyr, etc. Also, when students are making paper African masks they are to use these colors. With that said, students color and have a great time, but they also need to explain the colors and how these colors are connected to their family. With a little more research, students can design a CNY lantern and explain the meaning of these colors and perhaps flower decorations from the different seasons.
Martin CastilloWonderful prints and background information by Professor Coats. The websites are a goldmine! I was glad that he focused on the artistic/aesthetic part of medieval Japan. Students love to hear about the samurais, but I was glad that he mentioned them, but did not dwell on them. I really enjoyed the information and prints of "everyday" life in Kyoto: merchants, geishas, etc.
Students can be given background information about the different aspects of Japanese art during this period. Placards with information can further explain the given image or images, gallery walk-like. Students can also have expert groups to explain certain images as the various groups rotate to a particular station. With the Tale of Genji students can sketch and color their own scenes and explain the scene using the wrap-around technique that was explained to us.
Martin CastilloTwo things stood out for me from the presentation: the visual/movie aspect and the data. Movies are straight forward, but numbers and data analysis is not always as simple as we think, it can be manipulated.
Movies: wonderful clips and information to use to hook students into the new topic. Teaching Medieval History is not always as exciting as everyone makes it out to be (read sarcasm). By carefully choosing clips that are historically accurate this can be a great introduction to a lesson, chapter, or unit. As Professor Rosen did, we must take the time to choose the clips in order for students to answer the basic questions of who, what, etc.
Data: students can be tasked with analyzing data that shows the popularity of movies worldwide. Furthermore, students further look into the purpose of these movies and why so much money is being invested by private investors and governments, in this case, the Chinese government.
Martin CastilloWonderful background information. Professor Brown' information allowed us to better understand what he was going to present afterwards. As educators we all need to understand this; we will have students from countries that were affected by the Japanese occupation and annexation. It is of utmost importance to present unbiased facts in order for them to understand the task at hand.
With that said, both his presentations offered a wealth of information and images for us to choose from. Depending on the age level, basic information such as color, shape, and protagonists can be compared and perhaps contrasted. At a higher age level more critical thinking skills will be needed in order to understand the purpose of the images: to support the nation, the soldiers, a brand, etc. A good way to do this would be to match up the information with the image. A jigsaw activity is also possible by breaking up the various images into art, craft, etc. like Professor Brown did and have the students present the different groupings of post cards, music, etc.
Martin CastilloThis poster has a completely red background. The central figure is a woman dressed in homemaker attire. She is flanked by four images. In one image she is sitting down at night reading and studying, I assume by the color of the books on her desk, state approved doctrine. Her motherly duties include balancing work with keeping healthy and fit by finding time to exercise with her daughter. She is also responsible for educating her daughter about the history of the Chinese people by showing her the shambles people were in and how destitute they were, assumingly, before the revolution. However, the most important image is on the right: as a communist Han Chinese her duty is to work for the Motherland by helping make machines that will help the country. In addition, by helping the PRC become more industrial it helps the minorities who happen to be dancing, singing, performing, etc pointing to the Red Sun as if saying "thank you" to Mao. Though in this image it seems that the minorities are incapable of producing workers themselves-they are satisfied with their current situation.
My initial interpretation of this poster was that it had to do something with staying healthy in order to help the advancement of the Motherland by reading party doctrine, taking care of family, etc. by taking vitamins or some sort or birth control. By doing so she can accomplish and be successful in doing the things the images around her show she can. She is holding up half the sky.
Martin CastilloThe flags of the communist, socialist, etc countries is depicted. The star is prominent and bright, almost icon-like; the clock strikes noon/midnight- a leading light to the start of a new day or high noon ready for a time of reckoning.
The colors are bright and the two leading forces are the USSR and the PRC , they are at the forefront of the other communist "block" countries, leading the way.
I believe this is pre-1960- the absence of the Cuban flag and African countries.
Martin CastilloWhen introducing or applying bias, students can use the images provided by Dr. Berry. It is an easy way for students to also understand point of view. At times students may find it challenging to find these in their readings and to be able to write about it. The use of images could facilitate this. In addition, using clips of movies in a historical setting are great hooks for students who more and more want to see and feel the abstract, in this case perhaps reading a chapter or a novel.
Dr. Berry's lecture chronicled the way different mediums were used in the 20th century in China. But, what I found most disturbing is Hollywood's willingness to be allowed to be controlled by its Chinese investors. True, they are "controlled" by the American studios who hire them, but it is telling what happens in Hollywood. I would like to think that once movies carry a more political message that these actors would know when to say enough is enough. Entertainment is one thing, advocating a party line that oppresses those who watch their movies is another. We cannot depend on film critics for analysis of what message a film is sending, we must also be critical of what is presented in front of us and our children.
Martin CastilloOne of the first Chinese/Hong Kong actors to go rouge was Jackie Chan. From perusing articles, it seems that he has found a new money tree and therefore needs to self-sensor or show his loyalty to his new "ma$ter$". "In December 2012, Chan caused outrage when he criticised Hong Kong as a "city of protest", suggesting that demonstrators' rights in Hong Kong should be limited. The same month, in an interview with Phoenix TV, Chan stated that the United States was the "most corrupt" country in the world, which in turn angered parts of the online community. Other articles situated Chan's comments in the context of his career and life in the United States, including his "embrace of the American film market" and his seeking asylum in the United States from Hong Kong triads.[143]
In April 2016, Chan was named in the Panama Papers.
Martin CastilloI grew up buying some of my favorite rock and roll groups' Live album performances in Budokan, Japan. My introduction to Asia was through music in my early teens. My next cultural exposure was J-Pop. As a young adult my perception of Asian entertainment was solely based on my Japanese experience.
Not until watching the series Reply 1997 was my interest reignited in Asian entertainment. Though the hallyu was in full force my interest was in Korean rock bands, especially Deli Spice. Teaching middle schoolers history forced me to reevaluate my interests.
Dr. Kim's lecture gave me ideas on how to perhaps use K-Pop as a hook to introduce my students to modern aspects of Korea. A good parallel would be the K-Pop industry and American sports. Every young man and lady wants that multi million dollar contract and endorsements that come with talent and fame. Nothing comes easy, and everything has a price.
Martin CastilloHello All,
I teach 7th grade Medieval World History and 8th grade U.S. History at Holland M.S. in Baldwin Park USD. I look forward to adding more arrows to my quiver when teaching Asia.
