Spring 2018 Requirements

Seminar Requirements for East Asia: Origins to 1800
 

1.   Attendance

You should attend and actively participate in all seminar sessions. If you need to miss a session (no more than three in the duration of the seminar), please let us know. You will need to make up each missed session.

§  Attend an event (lecture/meeting/discussion panel, etc.) that focuses on issues related to East Asia or visit a museum exhibition or performance relating to East Asia. The U.S.-China Institute offers at least one public event each month.

§  Submit a 150-200 word summary of what you learned, and post it in the forum at http://china.usc.edu/k12/forums/usc-spring-2018-%E2%80%93-east-asia-origins-1800/make-assignments.

§  Please note that the four Saturdays count as two sessions each. If you miss a Saturday, you will need to submit two make-up assignments. 

2.   Reading assignments

Please prepare for each session by completing the corresponding reading assignment.  Much of what will be discussed in the class will be based upon the readings. Use the web forum to raise questions or discuss the readings with your classmates.

3.   Web discussion forum

Each teacher is expected to actively participate in a seminar-focused web discussion forum. 

To log in:

1.       Go to http://china.usc.edu/k12/forums

2.       Click on the “Log In” button at the top left corner, underneath the menu bar.

3.       Enter your username and password.  Your username and password will be emailed to you.

4.       Click on “forum” under the “k-12 curriculum” button on the menu bar.

5.       You will have access to several general discussion forums that are public for educators. These include “Asia in My Classroom,” “Lesson Plans,” and “Web Resources,” etc.

6.       You will also have access to the “USC Spring 2018 – East Asia: Origins to 1800” forum, which is the dedicated forum for your seminar.  You will contribute to this forum as a part of your seminar requirements. 

Participation in the forum entails the following:

§  Minimum contribution of 30 thoughtful, well-written, analytical posts. You are encouraged and welcome to participate as much as possible in the forum, but please note that posts like introductions, one-line responses, makeup-assignments, and the final essay will not count towards the total.
 

§  EVALUATIONS - at least one posting needs to be made following each seminar session:

o   React to the ideas presented

o   Discuss how these ideas can be effectively shared with students

o   Please posts these in the “USC Spring 2018 – East Asia: Origins to 1800” forum under the corresponding session thread.

§  FILM REVIEW - at least one posting needs to be a film review from a teacher’s point of view:

o   100-150 word summary on how you can use the film in the classroom

o   Reviewing a previously discussed film is acceptable, but be sure to offer your own assessment of the film and how it might be used with students

o   Post your review in the “Film Festival” forum at http://china.usc.edu/k12/forums/forums/film-festival

§  WEBSITE REVIEW - at least one posting needs to assess the teaching usefulness of an East Asia-focused website:

o   Provide the website url, describe its contents and evaluate its ease of use

o   Discuss how the website could be used with students

o   Post your review in the “Web Resources” forum at http://china.usc.edu/k12/forums/forums/web-resources

4.   Curriculum project

Upon completion of the seminar, you will incorporate the seminar experience into your own classes by developing a multi-lesson curriculum project.   

Design a series of lessons to be used in one of the courses you teach. This multi-lesson plan should cover at least three days of instruction. You are encouraged, but not required, to create lessons that will help your students meet the California educational standards (included in the “Reference” section of your seminar binder).  You are also encouraged to incorporate the Internet into your lessons, either in the research assigned, activities employed, or presentation of conclusions. You may wish to put draft versions of your lesson plan on the discussion forum to secure feedback from your colleagues.

Your multi-lesson curriculum project should include the following components:

1.       A rationale for the proposed unit 
Explain how and where the unit fits into your course. What skills and/or content will your students have prior to the unit and what will they be ready to tackle?

2.       Skill and content objectives 
Refer to the CA and NCHS world history standards or the CA language arts standards (included in the “Reference” section of your seminar binder) and identify which of these is addressed by your lesson plans.

3.       Detailed lesson plan 
Include specific lesson objectives, class and individual activities, and materials to be used.  Provide discussion-launching questions, questions to guide reading, and other procedural tips. Include copies of textbook readings, draft handouts, or other materials.  Be sure to provide complete citations for the materials you include.

There are a wide variety of teaching guides you may consult for activity suggestions, and many primary source materials are available from the USCI website. You are encouraged to use music, film, and the web as part of your lessons. Also consider whether your location and budget might permit class trips to museums, temples, or ethnic commercial districts into your unit (don't neglect the possibility of virtual trips to museums and other sites).

4.       A plan for assessing student achievement 
Describe culminating activities, projects, or other tasks which will permit students to demonstrate the knowledge and skills they have acquired.

§  Optional
Discuss possible extracurricular extensions of this unit (e.g., Model UN, world music/film club, etc.)

*Please submit your curriculum project (include photocopies of required readings, handouts, etc.) via e-mail.

5.   Final essay

Reflect on the seminar experience in a 250-500 word essay.  Discuss how you intend to incorporate East Asia into your teaching.  Possible topics you may wish to address include attitudes, approaches, and materials. Which issues or ideas raised in the seminar are of greatest relevance to your courses and your students? Your unit or essay will be shared with other teachers via the web.

DEADLINE – Friday, June 1, 2018

Checklist
 

Seminar Benefits

Teachers who successfully complete the seminar and its follow-up requirements receive:

§  East Asian reference and teaching materials  

§  $250 stipend

§  For LAUSD educators, 2 LAUSD salary points (no fee)

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

Questions?

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact:

USC U.S. – China Institute
3502 Watt Way, ASC G24
Los Angeles, CA 90089-0281
Phone: 1-213-821-4382   ▪   Fax: 1-213-821-2382

web: china.usc.edu
e-mail: asiak12@usc.edu