East Asia: Origins To 1800 (Mondays, February 6 - May 1, 2023)

This seminar for California K-12 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.

Instruction is provided by top scholars and educators in the field. In addition to providing educators with a solid foundation for understanding East Asia, the course emphasizes ways to bring the themes and problems of the various places and periods alive for K-12 students. Participants are provided with a variety of primary sources as well as film recommendations and web resources. The course supports national education standards.

The online seminar includes:

• Video presentations (2 hours/week) that you watch on your own schedule

• Background and primary source readings

• Mandatory online forum participation

• Weekly live online discussion with the specialist for that topic

BENEFITS

• For Los Angeles Unified School District educators, 2 LAUSD salary points (no fee)

• For all other districts, 6 Continuing Education Units (processing fee applicable)

• Online resources and materials

• Free Education About Asia teaching resources subscription for 2023 ($30)

*Must complete seminar requirements

TOPICS

• East Asian Geography and Demography
• Early Civilizations, Religions and Philosophies
• Pre-modern Korea
• Imperial China
• Classical and Warrior Japan
• East Asian literature and history
• and much more!

SCHEDULE

The seminar workshops will be held virtually on Monday for the following dates (time TBD). 

• February 6th, 13th, 27th
• March 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th
• April 10th, 17th
• May 1st

HOW TO APPLY

Submit your application below.

The course is sponsored by the USC U.S.-China Institute and the National Consortium for Teaching about Asia. Funding from the Freeman Foundation enables us to offer the seminar