East
Asia for Teachers
N
ewsletter of the Five College
Center for East Asian Studies
Winter 2007 - 2008
GENERAL/EAST
ASIA
Reading
Our Newsletter * Notes
from the Center
NCTA Seminars for Teachers
*
NCTA Study Tour
Conferences, Workshops, Lectures, and Discussions
Performances, Films, Exhibitions, and
the Arts
Education &Travel Opportunities
Resources * Announcements
Celebrating 10 Years of Excellence
2008 marks the Ten Year Anniversary of the National Consortium for Teaching about Asia (NCTA). In 1997, in response to a challenge from the Freeman Foundation to make education about East Asia a permanent part of the curriculum, five NCTA sites were established in the following states: Colorado, Indiana, New York, Massachusetts, and Washington. The Five College Center for East Asian Studies is proud to be one of the original sites.
The first NCTA seminars were held in 1998; during that seminal year, NCTA offered 27 seminars in 16 states, reaching 477 teachers. Since the Consortium's inception, the seminars have consisted of 30 hours of quality instruction on East Asian history and cultures from leading experts in the field.
Teachers who complete the requirements of a NCTA seminar program earn professional stipends and receive background materials for themselves and curriculum materials for their school libraries. As part of most seminar programs, teachers may choose to earn professional development points, take the seminar for graduate credit, and apply for NCTA study tours in China, Japan, and Korea.
NCTA continues to welcome new and experienced teachers who wish to learn more about East Asian history and cultures. The seminars are designed for teachers of world geography, world history, world cultures, world literatures, and the arts. Teachers in other fields are welcome to apply.
This year NCTA will complete a decade of work that has involved more than 9,000 teachers, who, in turn, have taught more than three million students in 46 states. We at the Center thank the Freeman Foundation and all our readers who have contributed to the success of this outstanding project.
Seminars soon to begin in New England and upstate New York are described in this newsletter. Details on the Center’s 2008 NCTA China Study Tour Program are also noted in this newsletter. More information on both offerings can be found on our web site, www.smith.edu/fcceas.
This newsletter is supported by:
The Freeman Foundation
United States-Japan Foundation
Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc.
Five Colleges, Incorporated
Reading Our
Newsletter
East Asia for Teachers
is designed to help teachers and students learn more about China, Korea, and
Japan. It includes descriptions of East Asia-related events, opportunities
for travel in and study of East Asia, and resources on East Asia.
The newsletter offers a calendar that covers all
dated events listed in the body of the newsletter. By scanning the calendar,
a reader can focus on types of events or geographic locations.
Please note that the purpose
of this newsletter is to provide information about East Asia. Inclusion of
any listing should not be construed as an endorsement of any service, group,
or individual. Also, dates and times may be subject to change, and there may
be a charge for some events. Please contact the appropriate organization for
details. Chinese, Japanese, and Korean personal names appear as provided by the source of the information.
Readers who want more information about the
Center, to borrow resources, or have comments on our newsletter can contact
us at: Tel 413-585-3751; Fax 413-585-3748; Email fcceas@email.smith.edu
; web www.smith.edu/fcceas .
We look forward to hearing from you.
CONFERENCES,
WORKSHOPS, LECTURES, AND DISCUSSION GROUPS
*NERC, NEW HAVEN, CT
The 39th Northeast Regional Conference on the Social Studies (NERC) is scheduled for Wed, Mar 26 − Fri, Mar 28, at the Omni New Haven Hotel at Yale University. The conference theme is “Social Studies: Global and Local Connections, Shared Responsibilities.” Among the many workshops offered are the following by NCTA alumni: “Jatakas: The Buddha’s Moral of the Story,” Diana Maciewicz (Eagle Hill School, Hardwick, MA); “How Geography Affects Human History and Development: The Role of the Yangtze River,” Ted Mitchell (Knotty Oak Middle School, Coventry, RI); “Japan’s Global Connections as Seen in the Art of Three Periods,” Olivann Hobbie (Falmouth Academy, MA); and “Scrolls, Calligraphy, and Garden Design: East Asian Art in the Social Studies Classroom,” Kristen Morrison (Wethersfield High School, CT). The Five College Center for East Asian Studies has an exhibit table with selected items from its library. Pre-registration deadline is Sun, Mar 2. For more information, contact Maxwell Amoh, Conference Chairman at maxwell.amoh@yale.edu, or visit www.ctsocialstudies.org/.
ASIANETWORK, SAN ANTONIO, TX
The 16th Annual ASIANetwork Conference is held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel Fri, Mar 14 − Sun, Mar 16. The conference theme is “Scholar-Teachers of Asia: Past and Present.” Keynote speakers are Ai Xiaoming (Sun Yat-sen University) and Henry Rosemont, Jr. (Brown University). Registration deadline is Fri, Feb 1. For more information, contact Teddy Amoloza. Tel 309-556-3405; Email tamoloza@iwu.edu; Web http://asianetwork.org/.
CTA & AAS, ATLANTA, GA
The Association of Asian Studies (AAS) Annual Meeting is held Thu, Apr 3 − Sun, Apr 6, at the Hyatt Regency. Pre-registration deadline is Fri, Mar 14. Among the many sessions are: “The Conditions for Literary Production in Modern Japan” by Timothy Van Compernolle (Amherst College), and “Public Intellectuals: Old Hands and the New Generation in China Studies” by Kristin Stapleton (State University of New York, Buffalo). For more information, email Karen Fricke, Conference Manager, AAS, at kfricke@aasianst.org. Information is also available at www.aasianst.org.
Committee on Teaching about Asia (CTA) Day is Thu, Apr 3, in the Carter Center. Contact: Namji Steinemann, East-West Center. Email SteinemN@EastWestCenter.org.
*NELMS, PROVIDENCE, RI
The New England League of Middle Schools (NELMS) Annual Conference is scheduled for Sun, Mar 30 − Tue, Apr 1, in Providence. The program includes over 180 workshops. Mary Beth Witkavitch (NCTA alum) presents a session on Korea and Japan. Registration deadline is Sat, Mar 1. To learn more, contact NELMS. Tel 978-887-6263; Fax 978-887-6504; Email nelms@nelms.org; Web www.nelms.org.
MCSS, AUGUSTA, ME
The Maine Council for the Social Studies Annual Conference is scheduled for Wed, Apr 2, at the Augusta Civic Center. The conference theme is “No Citizen Left Behind: Teaching Resources for Maine Teachers.” For more information, contact: Crystal Polk. Tel 207-624-6841; Email crystal.polk@maine.gov.
NYSCSS, BUFFALO, NY
The New York State Council for the Social Studies Annual Conference is held Wed, Apr 2 − Sat, Apr 5, at the Buffalo Hyatt Hotel. The theme is “With Liberty and Justice for All.” To learn more, contact: Robbin DeHollander. Email robbin.dehollander@hotmail.com.
PERFORMANCES, FILMS, EXHIBITIONS, AND
THE ARTS
WORCESTER ART MUSEUM, MA
An American Vision: Treasures from the Winterthur Museum is on view at the Worcester Art Museum, 55 Salisbury St, through Sun, Apr 6. The objects were made or used in America between 1640 and 1860. One of the themes explored in this collection is the Asian source of inspiration. Among the items brought to America from China were porcelain pagodas and dinner sets of individually monogrammed porcelain made specifically for export to Europe and America. To learn more, contact: Worcester Art Museum. Tel 508-799-4406; Web www.worcesterart.org.
METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART, NYC
Asian Lacquer: Masterpieces from the Florence and Herbert Irving Collections is on view at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1000 Fifth Ave at 82nd St, through Sun, May 11. The objects in this exhibition, dating from the 14th to the 19th century, range from small boxes for incense to larger containers for sake. For more information, contact: Metropolitan Museum of Art. Tel 212-535-7710; Web www.metmuseum.org.
ASIAN CULTURAL CENTER, BRATTLEBORO, VT
Presentations and Forum: Alternative Medicine Influenced by Traditional Asian Healing Methods, hosted by the Asian Cultural Center of Vermont, is held Sun, Feb 3, 1-4 pm, at the C.X. Silver Gallery, 814 Western Avenue.
The 17th Annual Women’s Film Festival is held at Brattleboro theaters Fri, Mar 14 − Sun, Mar 23. This festival shows more than 20 films from around the world, including films from East Asia.
To learn more, contact Adam Silver. Tel 802-257-7898, x 1; Email acc.vt@verizon.net; Web www.asianculturalcentervt.org.
YALE U, NEW HAVEN, CT
Art for Yale: Collecting for a New Century is on view at the Yale University Art Gallery through Sun, Jan 13. The exhibition showcases works of art—including those from Asia—drawn from each of the gallery’s curatorial departments. The exhibition also includes recent acquisitions never before on public view. To learn more, visit http://artgallery.yale.edu.
ERIC CARLE MUSEUM, AMHERST, MA
The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, 125 West Bay Rd, presents Children Should Be Seen: The Image of the Child in American Picture-Book Art through Sun, Mar 9. The exhibition features the work of Allen Say (Japanese American), Ed Young (Chinese), Yumi Heo (Korean), and Kam Mak (Chinese, born in Hong Kong), and many others. For more information, contact: Rosemary Agoglia. Tel 413-658-1114; Email rosemarya@picturebookart.org; Web www.picturebookart.org.
EDUCATION AND TRAVEL OPPORTUNITIES
U OF VERMONT PROGRAMS
The Asian Studies Outreach Program (ASOP) of the University of Vermont (UVM) presents the State-wide Program for Asian Studies in Schools, which promotes teaching and learning about Asia in Vermont schools.
The In-service Program is designed for K−12 educators and provides a broad overview of the history of Asian countries. Conferences and workshops assist teachers in designing instructional activities for teaching about Asia. To organize conferences and workshops on Asia in schools, contact Gerry Gatz at gerry_gatz@wsesu.org.
The Sino-American Seminar on Educational Leadership offers opportunities to learn first hand about Chinese education, exchange ideas with Chinese educational leaders, and visit Chinese schools in session. The program dates are Sun, Apr 13 − Fri, Apr 25, with visits to Shanghai, and to Qingdao, Tai-An, and Qufu in Shandong Province. Participants are required to attend 2 planning sessions scheduled for Fri, Feb 1, and Fri, Mar 7, and the reunion conference on Sat, Oct 11.
Other components of the state-wide program include the overseas program for teachers Institute on China and Its Cultures [2009] and the Institute in Japan [2010], school-to-school exchanges, in-state and overseas programs for high school students, curriculum design and instruction, and touring art exhibitions.
For more information, contact: Kunie Renaud, Asian Studies Outreach Program. Tel 802-656-7985; Fax 802-656-8472; Email Kunie.Renaud@uvm.edu; Web www.uvm.edu/~outreach.
COLLEGE OF HOLY CROSS, WORCESTER, MA
Literatures, Religions, and Arts of the Himalayan Region is an interdisciplinary institute for K−12 teachers funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities. The program is held Mon, Jul 7 −Thu, Jul 31, at the College of the Holy Cross. Application deadline is Sat, Mar 1. For more information, contact: Todd Lewis. Email tlewis@holycross.edu. Teacher curriculum plans from the 2006 NEH Institutes Cultures and Religions of the Himalayan Region are available at http://college.holycross.edu/orgs/himalayan_cultures/.
INDIANA U, BLOOMINGTON
Teaching East Asian Literature in the High School is a summer workshop held Sun, Jul 13 − Sat, Jul 19, at Indiana University. Participants receive a set of Chinese, Japanese, and Korean literary works, free housing and one meal a day, certificate of completion, option to purchase 3 graduate credits, and a grant for purchasing East Asian literature materials for classroom use. During the mornings, area specialists lead discussions on specific facets of China, Japan, and Korea. In the afternoons literature professors lead discussions about short stories, novels, and poetry that participants have read in advance. Application deadline is Fri, Mar 7. For more information, contact: Katie Venit, East Asian Studies Center. Tel 800-441-EASC; Fax 812-855-7762; Email kvenit@indiana.edu; Web www.indiana.edu/~easc.
EAST-WEST CENTER, HONOLULU, HI
Travel and Teach: Cambodia and Vietnam is a travel seminar for teachers offered through the East-West Center’s AsiaPacificEd Program. It provides a cross-cultural immersion experience, with opportunities to live with a Cambodian host family. Participants work to develop teaching units that incorporate their program experiences. Application date is Fri, Feb 1. To learn more, contact: AsiaPacificEd Program, East-West Center. Tel 808-944-7378; Fax 808-944-7070; Email asiapacificed@eastwestcenter.org; Web www.AsiaPacificEd.org.
PIER, YALE U, NEW HAVEN, CT
From Sand to Sea: Cultural Exchange through Trade on the Silk Road is a summer institute offered through the Programs in International Educational Resources (PIER), Yale University. Participants spend 10 days (Mon, Jul 7 − Wed, Jul 16) on a virtual journey learning how the histories and present-day realities of East Asia and the Middle East are intertwined. A 2-week field study to Western China and the Arabian Peninsula is planned for immediately following the New Haven institute. To learn more, contact: Greta Scharnweber, PIER. Tel 203-432-8135; Email greta.scharnweber@yale.edu; Web www.yale.edu/macmillan/pier/.
AAS NEAC STUDIES GRANTS
The Northeast Asia Council (NEAC) of the Association for Asian Studies (AAS) offers a grant program in Korean studies designed to improve the quality of teaching about Korea on both the college and pre-college levels, and to integrate the study of Korea into the major academic disciplines. NEAC also offers grants for short-term travel to Japan for professional purposes, seminars on teaching about Japan, and projects that enhance teaching about Japan. Application deadline for spring/summer awards is Fri, Feb 1. For more information, contact Association for Asian Studies. Tel 734-665-2490; Web www.aasianst.org.
CENTER FOR BUDDHIST STUDIES, BARRE, MA
The Ox-Herding Pictures is a one-day course offered by the Barre Center for Buddhist Studies on Sun, Jan 27. The program looks at the history and practical applications of the ten Ox-Herding Pictures and how they may apply to life today. The Heart Sutra: Wisdom from the Heart studies the sutra using writing exercises, discussion, and small group work. This program is held Fri, Mar 21 − Sun, Mar 23. For more information, contact: Barre Center for Buddhist Studies. Tel 978-355-2347; Email bcbs@dharma.org; Web www.dharma.org.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
HAROLD W. McGRAW, JR. PRIZE
Vivien Stewart, Vice President for Education at the Asia Society, was selected as a winner of the 2007 Harold W. McGraw, Jr. Prize in Education. The Prize annually recognizes outstanding individuals who have dedicated themselves to improving education in this country and whose accomplishments have made a difference. More information is available at www.mcgraw-hill.com/prize/.
HISTORY DAY
The National History Day Program is one of research and reporting by students in grades 8−12. District and state competitions give these students a chance to present their projects to a group of judges. This year’s topic is “Conflict and Compromise in History.” Judges for district and state competitions are needed. To learn more about this program or to volunteer to be a judge, go to www.nhd.org. Massachusetts teachers may email Robert Taylor at RFTaylor21@aol.com.
RESOURCES AT FCCEAS
Curriculum Units:
GC-094 Ancient World History Activity Sampler. Grades 5−8. This curriculum unit includes a variety of activities, including “Creating Puppet Shows of Origin Stories” and “Examining the Reign of Qin Shi Huang Di.” Palo Alto, CA: Teachers’ Curriculum Institute, 1999.
GC-095 World History from 500 to 1700 Activity Sampler. Grades 5−8. Among the activities in this unit is “Land and Population: An Insight into Culture,” which looks at geography’s role in Japanese culture. Palo Alto, CA: Teachers’ Curriculum Institute, 1999.
GC-096 Modern World History Activity Sampler. Grades 5−8. Among the activities in this unit is “Exploring Continuity and Change in China through Art.” Palo Alto, CA: Teachers’ Curriculum Institute, 1999.
The Five College Center for East Asian Studies maintains a Resource Library that provides videos, DVDs, books, curriculum units, slides, kits, and recordings on a free-loan basis to New England-based K–16 educators. Materials are available for preview with classes for 3-week periods and can be renewed if they are not on reserve for another teacher. The Center is open from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm, Mon through Fri. For copies of our catalogue or to borrow materials, contact: Five College Center for East Asian Studies, Smith College, 69 Paradise Road, Florence Gilman Pavilion, Northampton, MA 01063. Tel 413-585-3751; Fax 413-585-3748; Email fcceas@email.smith.edu. Please visit our web site. www.smith.edu/fcceas.
OTHER RESOURCES
Education About Asia is a teaching resource for secondary school, college and university instructors. One or three year subscriptions, as well as a special offer on copies of back issues, are available. For more information, visit www.aasianst.org.
The Boston Children’s Museum has a variety of teaching kits on China and Japan, such as Ancient China, Chinese Celebrations, Japanese and Chinese Calligraphy, and Japanese New Year. Boston Public School teachers and Massachusetts Public Classroom teachers are eligible to use one kit free for the 2007−2008 school year. Supplies are limited, first-come first-served. Reservations are required. To learn more, contact: Boston Children’s Museum. Tel 800-370-5487 x 231; Email kits@BostonChildrensMuseum.org.
Stanford Program on International and Cross-Cultural Education (SPICE) created the Spice Digest, a free eNewsletter, to be distributed in the fall and spring quarters. The newsletter features content articles from a range of SPICE curriculum units and original content written specifically for the Digest, which is located at http://spice.stanford.edu/docs/Digestemailer/.
To join the email distribution list, go to http://spice.stanford.edu/docs/joinmail/.
Images in this newsletter are from:
Chinese Designs: CD-ROM and book (New York: Dover, 2002)
Japanese Designs: CD-ROM and book (New York: Dover, 2002)
