[Scott Craig]

I've never heard of the Marco Polo game, but it sounds fun. I'll have to check it out. The concept sounds like it could be very educational. I also love your idea of the students creating their own game. I've found by giving them various projects like that they not only enjoy class more, but they actually learn more because they are finding information out and then using it for something other than answering questions.

[Scott Craig]

I found the comparison between the Yuan and the Qing dynasties very interesting. The differences between they way the treated the Chinese and involved them in the government etc. explains the reason the Qing was able to last so long and the Yuan didn't even last 100 years. I would like to create an activity for my students where they view those comparisons and then find examples where new governments/religions have been able to survive and thrive because they embraced/incorporated local ideas and traditions. 

[Scott Craig]

I love this assignment! I would love to use it with my AP World students next year. I would like to expand it a little and have them find examples from various time periods/parts of the world. I would also like to see them connect the corruption to the fall/decline of any government. There is so much you can do with this. Thank you so much for the idea!

 

[Scott Craig]

The reading and lecture were very eye-opening for me. I already knew about the problems with our environment and the negative effects industrialization have had on it. What was new for me was the impact a few changes can have. I'm very impressed by the changes China has made and the improvements that have come from those changes. It was also disappointing to see just how much the US has gone backwards in its efforts to improve the environment. Growing up in the sixties and seventies I saw how bad pollution was and how the US was making strides to improve it. Even though we still have a long way to go, the current administration has halted all progress and work towards improving the environment. We definitely need to follow the example of China and take a much more active role in not only lessening the negative impact on the environment, but doing our part ot help clean up the mess we've made. Barbar Finamore should be applauded for her efforts and the efforts of her organization at working to make the world a cleaner and better place.

[Scott Craig]

You are absolutely correct in your statements. It is truly tragic how one person/administration can have such a negative impact on a major issue such as pollution (air, water, & soil). We can only hope that after November 2020 things will change and the US will join China in making improvements to try and save our planet.

[Scott Craig]

The reading was really informative. I found it very interesting how Buddhism changed as it spread to various countries in East Asia. It is fascinating to see how Buddhism incorporated local teachings and customs of the various locations. One assignment I think would be fun for my students is to compare various religions and how they adapted and changed as they spread to various regions. These articles demonstrate that process with Buddhism in East Asia. Similar adaptations took place in Christianity, and Islam as they spread to various places. In all of these religions the core concepts were maintained while accepting new customs and traditions of the new believers.

[Scott Craig]

I have been teaching about Buddhism for several years, but it has always been very superficial. I knew some of the basic teachings, but didn't really know enough to feel fully comfortable. After doing the readings and attending the lecture I understand a lot more about it and feel much more comfortable in teaching it. I was very fascinated by Professor Meeks' presentation and can see why she is such a popular teacher. I am amazed at how much information she was able to impart in such a short amount of time. I'd love to attend more presentations by her in the future.

[Scott Craig]

I thoroughly enjoyed Professor Hirano's lecture. He brings great insight and perspective into Japanese history - a subject I really need to learn more about. One of the things that really struck me was the fact that even Japan has been around for a long time, and I always thought of it as having kept a very detailed history, new discoveries about its past are continually being made. It reminded me that history is written by the victors, and that they sometimes spin the facts to present a narrative that they want told, even though it may not be accurate. 

So often people say that history is always the same and that you only need to update history books to add information about events that have taken place since the last book was written. This lecture shows just how wrong that sentiment is. As historians conduct more research and discover more records from the past, differening accounts and new discoveries can change the narrative that has always been told.

[Scott Craig]

I agree completely with your comments. I was really impressed by the way Professor Hirano brought in different perspectives. The idea of viewing history from different perspectives is something I try to instill in my students. History is very dynamic and cannot be viewed through a single lens. The more perspectives and accounts you view, the more accurate an understanding you will have.

[Scott Craig]

I agree too. I actually downloaded the PDF and printed it off so that I could read it. I know that it was a bit of paper and ink, but totally worth it.

[Scott Craig]

This session and all the resources given were fantastic. The document that listed the various resources is invaluable in finding primary source materials to teach about Korea. I love that it contains a variety of resources, not just printed text but videos, etc. I really enjoyed that Professor Jung-Kim really focused on ways we can incorporate the material into teaching our students. The poetry activity was fun and educational. 

[Scott Craig]

I found the readings for this session extremely interesting. To be honest I have very little knowledge about the early history of Japan. I was surprised to find that in the articles they stated the earlies settlers were probably from the south - the Pacific Islands. In the past I had always heard the theory that they came from China, crossing the Korean peninsula. I was also surprised to see that even though it was still male-dominated, women were often in leadership roles and they were descended from a supreme goddess. I'm really looking forward to tonight's lecture to find out more information.

[Scott Craig]

I noticed the same thing while reading the article. You could also add to the list the way the Europeans treated the native populations in Africa. This could be a very interesting assignment/research project for students to compare and contrast treatment of native populations during time periods of Imperialsm. It would be interesting to compare the names the imperialist colonizers used for the natives. Why did they use such names? Was it because if they admitted the people they were conquering were human, they would see just how wrong their actions were? Great idea!!!

[Scott Craig]

As a true legalist, it is my solemn duty to turn my father in to the authorities. It does not matter that he is my father, it only matters that he broke the law and the law applies to everyone. If everyone were to make exceptions for their family members, then nobody would obey the law. If I don't turn my father in, I will be guilty of a serious crime and subject to punishment. It is only when everyone obeys the laws that we can have true order and prosperity. 

[Scott Craig]

I love your idea of comparing the Qin Dynasty Penal Servitude with current polices, such as the worker who stole one of the terracotta warrior's heads in the 1980s. I teach AP history and one of the main things they focus on is viewing issues across time. I think this is a great skill to develop, and one that can be started in elementary school.

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