Midterm Asian Studies Learning Goals

I went through the class learning goals that were posted on the three blogs. I have tried to integrate all of your learning goals into just one that will be common to all sections. But I’m too lazy. So instead, I decided to create a PDF file (which is downloadable through the “box” below the “archives” section). All groups will abide by these learning goals since you were the ones who thought them up after reading through our reference material. Each class is not limited to the learning goals put up by classmates. Each group is responsible for accomplishing all the learning goals posted by the other groups from the other sections. For example: N4A-India Group should also be able to accomplish the learning goals posted by N4B’s and N4C’s India group. The same goes for the other groups.

I will leave it up to you to hammer out a plan (and implement it) for accomplishing these goals. Remember that we agreed to have these learning goals for the midterm; we have to abide by them! You may consult with me on the logistics i.e. if you need to play a video, bring some things, etc. Or check with me if I already have some content (e.g. videos, audio files, etc) relevant to a learning goal. But, as much as possible, you will be responsible for doing the work of accomplishing these learning goals.

Here’s a summary of the learning goals plus my thoughts on them. Take note, that we will follow what is written in the “Class Learning Goals” matrix. The following summary is only to give you a snapshot and is not meant to replace what is in the matrix.

Learning Goals for India

Geography - Take note that when we use the term “India” we are roughly referring to the entire Indian sub-continent of Asia (roughly South Asia). So for India Group, please include the rest of South Asia in whatever output and activities you line up for the class to accomplish these learning goals. The focus, however, is really Indian civilization because of its tremendous influence in South Asia.

History and Culture - This is a common learning goal accoross the three sections. N4A and N4C, however, included a wider scope compared to N4B. Thus, for history and culture, all the sections will have to cover the history of India (i.e. South Asia) until modern times. Noteworthy is the last learning goal of N4C’s India Group: a look at Indians (south asians) in the Philippines. This last learning goal is a good challenge for all the India Groups.

Modern India - N4A would like to find out about the “economic status” of India as well as the role of women in Indian society. These learning goals will be integrated into a much broader exploration into modern Indian society, especially its socio-economic status in modern times.

Learning Goals for China

Geography – Only N4A and N4B included this in their learning goals; N4B, in particular, wants to know the source of the term “China”.

History and culture - Again, all China groups would like for the class to learn about the history and culture of China. China group will cover all the dynasties until the collapse of dynastic rule as well as into the modern era. In particular, N4A wants to look at Mao’s cultural revolution which ties in neatly with N4C’s goal of looking at “China today”. In general, the learning goal, in terms of history and culture, shall cover topics from the origin of chinese civilization until modern china.

An important aspect of the challenge for the China group is to take up N4A’s goal to compare religious and philosophical systems that gained prominence in Chinese civilization. N4B includes contributions of Chinese civilization which would also cover N4A’s goal of looking at important chinese philosophers.

The Great Wall of China - N4A and N4B want to look at the history and significance of the Great Wall of China. I think I have this covered with a short film documentary on the “Secrets of the Great Wall”.

Learning Goals for Japan – Korea

I only found the learning goals of N4A for this region. Admittedly, I assumed that you would post it in your blogs after my instructions for you to “post” it instead of adding it as a “comment”. In any case, the goals from N4A are more than sufficient. After the midterm examinations, we will formulate more learning goals for Japan-Korea to cover the period from the arrival of westerners in Asia up to modern times.

Learning Goals for Southeast Asia

For Southeast Asia, only N4B’s and N4C’s learning goals could be found in the posts.

Geography - N4B pointed out an interesting tidbit about SEA, specifically its two “regions”: Indochina and the Malay archipelago.

History and Culture - N4B and N4A would like to cover history and culture until modern times, but N4B specifically identifies Southeast Asia’s experience with colonization. Admittedly, I don’t know anything about the “Golden Triangle” or even “SEA as economic rival and four origin tigers” – this will be interesting to learn about.

Religious practices, language and other aspects of culture will also be covered. What I’m looking forward to is N4C’s goal of looking at tourism and the “touristy” places to go in Southeast Asia. On tourism, I think I have a book on “Ubud” one of the great tourist places in Southeast Asia. There’s also a blog about “ubud” that you might want to look for.
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Class Requirements and Grading

I know that all of you are wondering how each of you will be graded in our class. Grading will be a mixture of individual and group grades. In general, your grade will be comprised of:

Major Examination (40%)
Tasks and others (30%)
Class Blog (30%)

There will be two major examinations: a midterm and finals. However, I am considering having a culminating activity instead of a final examination. Perhaps a two-day exhibit about Asia to show our class output and activities. I am hoping that the school administration will permit this (cross your fingers) and that (if ever they do) you are up to the task of putting up a two-day “Asian extravaganza” for the school.

The task part of your grade includes the activities (and output) that we will have in class. This will also cover everything else not covered by the other two criteria. Quizzes, writing assignments, class presentations, etc. will be included here as well with each item having equal weight as the others.

For the class blog you will be graded using a rubric that I will make available in our “sharebox” (the one below the “archives” section). Your class blog will be graded in four areas: content, interest, navigation, layout. There are a couple of websites and blogs that make it their business to rate blogs; I’m considering asking them to rate your blogs and base your grades on their rating and comments. Note that I’m just considering the idea and am not yet fully sold to it.

I hope this sufficiently clarifies the grade requirements for the class.
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About plagiarism and making myself clear

Maybe a some of you don't have the time to go through all the comments made in all of the class blogs so I'll repeat what i said in one of my comments in this post:

PLEASE ACKNOWLEDGE YOUR SOURCES WHEN YOU COPY SOMETHING AND POST IT IN YOUR BLOG! If its from hard-copy reference material say so. If its from another website, provide a link to that website and then write your input.

GO THROUGH THE RUBRIC FOR THE CLASS BLOG PROJECT! It's found (and downloadable) in the share box below the archive section. It would also be good for you to note the other criteria in the rubric so that you can review your class blog and align it with the rubric.

JUST TO EMPHASIZE MY OPINION ABOUT PLAGIARISM - IF I FIND THAT YOU HAVE POSTED SOMETHING IN YOUR CLASS BLOG THAT IS SOMEONE ELSE'S WORK BUT YOU CLAIM IT AS YOUR OWN ... YOUR ENTIRE CLASS WILL GET A FAILING GRADE FOR THE CLASS BLOG PROJECT.

I HOPE THIS IS UNDERSTOOD BY EVERYONE.

Why am i being particular about plagiarism in your blogs? There are many "netizens" who make a living looking for copied/plagiarized content in websites and reporting them to the authors of the copied/plagiarized content. What happens is that your blog might be shut down or attacked!

On the issue of posting versus commenting: note that long comments make it difficult for others to navigate your site. Non-sense comments also clutter up the comments section of your posts. A blog is not a forum so (at least) try to keep comments concise and relevant to the purpose or topic of the post.
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Great Work Everyone!

Finally, i got around to taking photos of the maps that you made. Everyone did a great job. Your maps are more than what i expected given the limitations particular to each section.

Here's a short media presentation of our past activities. Enjoy!


N4C deserves special mention for abiding with our agreement the week prior to our map making activity. They finished the map at least on the same day of the map making activity. Because N4A and N4B begged off on our agreement, i think it would be fair that the prize, whatever it may be (wink, wink!), should go to N4C.

Nevertheless, everyone gets high merit for excellent work not only on your maps but in our "Show and Tell Asia!" activity too.

Keep up the good work! Read more!

Of toponyms, demonyms, and etymology

Flo Adriano asked a very interesting question about the term "Asia". Specifically, she asks in her comment to "I got you thinking about the reason for the groupings...hahaha!":

why is the continent of Asia, called "ASIA"? what's the history behind it's name?
why is the continent of asia named as "ASIA"? who gave the name?

The term "Asia" may be traced to Ancient Greece when the Greek historian Herodotus first used it in reference to Anatolia and/or the Persian Empire in his account of the Persian Wars. The etymological roots of the word, however, might also be found in the Akkadian language.

Clicking here will bring you to the relevant information on Wikipedia.

More interesting is the common usage of "Asian". Colloquially, it is used to refer to people from a sub-region of Asia. In other words, people don't use it to refer to a person who comes from the Asian continent. Rather, it is used in reference to a person or persons from a culturally distinct sub-region of the Asian continent. In the United States the term is commonly associated with East Asians, while the British associate it with South Asians. Over time, it has also grown in scope to include Southeast Asians.

This reinforces the premise that the Asian continent can be separated into two distinct cultural realms. One part is obviously asian and the other is not.

Everyone is encouraged to do more research on this topic so we can add more information and sources. Read more!

I got you thinking about the reason for the groupings ... hahaha!

Mission accomplished!

To be honest, i wanted you to think about the reason for the class groupings. Yes! It has something to do with the population density. Yes! It has something to do with the rainfall and weather/climate (in general). And by implication, YES! That's what's so unique about the portion of the Asian continent that we are going to study this semester.

In a previous post i mentioned that Asia is usually divided into five realms that follow their general locational groupings on a map. In addition, we can also divide asia into two broad cultural realms: one that is distinctly asian in culture and character; another realm which is not. Simple!

Since this is an Asian studies course we will obviously explore the asian realm of the Asian continent. The four groupings coincide with what we may refer to as Monsoon Asia that includes the following realms: East Asia, South Asia and Southeast Asia. But then, why only the civilizations of India, China, Japan, Korea and those that emerged in Southeast Asia? Not only did these civilizations achieve so much and accomplish so much over such a long period, we have to understand also that for thousands of years they had plenty of what westerners longed for. Ever wonder why westerners colonized so many areas in Asia?

You might also be wondering how this (some say sharp) cultural distinction emerged in one continent. Europe for instance, while composed of several nations (we all know the difference between nation and country, i hope), has what might be considered a wholeness in its history. For instance, one cannot study the history of France without touching upon the histories of other european nations. Inevitably the historical links will lead you to look at Europe with broader historical eyes.

The same historical connections and relationships can also be found in the Asian realm (but not throughout the Asian continent). Thus, we study Monsoon Asia not only as an area comprised of different nations but also as a larger unit of study with inter-related histories. Or at least we will try to for one semester (hoping that your teacher's laziness will not worsen ... is that a smile?)

What makes Monsoon Asia so distinct not only from the rest of the Asian continent but from the rest of the world? In "Where in the World is Asia?" i showed you two maps: population density and rainfall. The maps partly explain how the uniquely asian character of Monsoon Asia evolved.

3.73 billion people live in this part of the world! That's 3/5 of the world's population. Put together plenty of people in such a small space and for sure they will evolve their own ways of dealing with social pressure. But why didn't these people disperse all over the continent? Well, you might be surprised to know that Monsoon Asia is the most agriculturally productive region in the world. It has been this way for a long time and continues to be productive to this day. But the biggest problem in this part of the world is that the population is so huge and growing at such a fast rate that agricultural production really cant keep up with the demand - wonder why there are many who go hungry in asia?

Thus, we have two important features of Monsoon Asia: population density and agriculture. The former feeds off the productivity of the latter. The latter is productive not only because of the fertile soil but also because of the more than adequate rainfall. Everyone knows that water is important in agriculture.

What we have to realize is that because of population density and the requirements of an agriculture-based society, Asians have their own way of viewing and dealing with the world. And while there are differences that exist among the many Asian nations, the impact of population density and the agrarian base is common across all of Monsoon Asia. From here it is not difficult to see that Asians share common cultural patterns that are often fundamentally different from what you will find in the west.
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What others are saying? - "Alien nation"

This is an interesting look into an often unexplored facet of Philippine society (and culture?) . So many Filipinos want to leave and yet there are so many others who find the Philippines so attractive a destination. Some even forget about leaving. This "Alien Nation" i-report series by PCIJ promises to be interesting and provocative. More importantly, related to some class learning goals formulated by the N4C India group (just scroll to the bottom of the post to find out).

"Tisoy Kasi!" is a broad and informed look by Dr. Michael Tan at the hybrid Filipino culture and our syncretic religious practices.

This PCIJ series is a good starting point for asian studies. In part because it is a view from inside looking in, but mostly because it promises to bring us within ourselves as Asians and not as what westerners would want us to see ourselves. As we begin our discussions of the major civilizations, hopefully, you will realize one common thread in Asian culture - more often Asians have chosen to adopt from other cultures and practices what works instead of trying to subdue other cultures and impose our own on them.

Of note is the syncretic nature of religious practice in a lot of Asian civilizations notably hinduism in India. (ooops! India Group this is your area ... research?) or even the curious mixed practice of Taoism and Confucianism in China. Even Japan has its own syncretic fusion of religious practice.
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