Seminars
China's Cultural Revolution (March 4-April 1, 2025)
Mao Zedong initiated the Cultural Revolution in 1966 to eliminate threats to his power and vision. The turmoil he sparked hammered the party-state, set in motion fierce struggles that destroyed careers and ended lives, threatened the economy and ended with military domination of state offices, schools and factories. To reduce urban strife, millions of young people were dispatched to the countryside to learn from the peasants. On top of this, leaders worried about foreign threats. Only Mao’s death in 1976 brought the Cultural Revolution to a close.
Rituals and Objects in Japanese History (Feb. 20-March 27, 2025)
This course will use objects from art, industry, technology, and war to consider the richness of the Japanese past. From court ceremonies to samurai rituals on the battlefield, from daily gift exchanges to Buddhist mortuary markers, Japanese communities have expressed their dreams, fears, power, and imagination using material culture and rituals focusing on objects. Join us to explore Japan’s history through the study of things.
Modern Japanese Literature (April 22 - May 20, 2025)
Ignite your teaching with our dynamic seminar on modern Japanese literature, designed specifically for K-12 educators! Dive into Japan's rich history and culture from the Meiji era to today, and learn practical strategies to engage your students. This seminar offers valuable resources, interactive techniques, and insights into key literary figures and works.
Taiwan and the World (Thursdays, May 1 - May 29, 2025)
This seminar for educators provides an in-depth exploration of Taiwan's rich history and diverse cultural landscape. Covering periods from early indigenous cultures to modern democratic governance, the course offers insights into Taiwan's unique political status and its significant technological advancements. Participants will delve into the dynamic intersections of culture, economy, and environmental literature, with a special focus on Taiwan's geopolitical narratives and ecological contexts.
East Asia: Origins To 1800 (Mondays, February 24 - May 12, 2025)
This seminar for educators covers the history and cultures of East Asia from the neolithic past to 1800. The course includes an overview of the region’s geography and demography, early ideologies as well as links between China, Korea and Japan. Participants will examine social hierarchies and expectations through literature and art, and explore the technological breakthroughs, economic rise and political systems of the region. Those teaching history, social studies, art and literature will find the course particularly relevant. Priority given to teachers in California.
Teacher-Made: A Hands-On Workshop for Educators, by Educators at Huntington Chinese Garden (January 11, 2025)
This workshop at the Huntington Library is designed to introduce K-12 educators across all subject areas to the Huntington Library's educational resources, with a special focus on the Chinese Garden ("Liu Fang Yuan"). It was created by teachers, for teachers. Participants will learn ways to incorporate these unique cultural assets into their curriculum, enriching student engagement and promoting cultural literacy across subjects like history, literature, art, science, and language.
US-Japan Relationship from Security Perspective (November 18, 2024)
Professor Hikotani from Gakushuin University will join an upcoming K-12 educator event to explore key issues surrounding the U.S.-Japan relationship, with a focus on security. With her extensive expertise in security studies, Professor Hikotani will provide valuable insights into the historical and contemporary dimensions of the alliance between the two nations, including evolving regional threats and collaborative defense initiatives.
China's Economic Transformation: Policy, Challenges, & Domestic Impact (November 13, 2024)
Join the 1990 Institute and the USC U.S.-China Institute for a two-part webinar series exploring China’s economic evolution and global influence, crafted for educators and the general public. This series will offer a thorough examination of China’s policy decisions, challenges, and the impact on society over the last forty years.
Meiji Japan: From Feudalism to Modern Nation (September 23, 2024)
What the talk will cover: The Meiji Restoration (1868) marked a transformative era in Japan's history, transitioning from a feudal society ruled by the samurai to a centralized modern nation-state. Influenced by Western powers, Japan rapidly industrialized, adopting new technologies, political reforms, and social changes. This period saw the abolition of the class system, the establishment of a constitutional government, and the emergence of Japan as a formidable global power.
Teaching the Japanese American Experience Through Primary Sources: Free One-Day Workshop for Educators at the Japanese American National Museum (October 26, 2024)
Join us for a free one-day workshop for educators at the Japanese American National Museum, hosted by the USC U.S.-China Institute and the National Consortium for Teaching about Asia. This workshop will include a guided tour of the beloved exhibition Common Ground: The Heart of Community, slated to close permanently in January 2025. Following the tour, learn strategies for engaging students in the primary source artifacts, images, and documents found in JANM’s vast collection and discover classroom-ready resources to support teaching and learning about the Japanese American experience.