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Chinese civilization first developed along the major river systems of the Yellow River (Huang He) and then the Yangzi (Chang Jiang) in eastern China.

Over the course of Chinese history, nomadic peoples from China's border regions have often intruded upon the settled, agricultural civilization of "core" China

Japan is an island country composed of four main islands and thousands of smaller ones

Japan has been able so consciously and deliberately to borrow and adapt innovations from other civilizations and to forge a strong cultural identity.

The Japanese islands lack most of the natural resources necessary to support an industrialized economy. These resources must be imported.

Introduction • The Geography of East Asia

Chinese characters have no set pronunciation; the sound attached to each can vary depending on the dialect.) Therefore, all literate Chinese could communicate through writing.

An Introductory Guide to Pronouncing Chinese.

Several of these philosophic schools have had lasting impact on Chinese civilization and political order, among them, Confucianism, Legalism, and Daoism. Leading philosophers in the early history of each school, and the texts associated with them, include: Confucianism - Confucius (c. 551-479 BCE) Analects - Mencius (371-289 BCE) Mencius - Xun Zi (Hsun Tzu) (298-238) Xunzi Legalism - Han Fei Zi (Han Fei Tzu) (d. 233) Han Feizi - Li Si (Li Ssu) (d. 208) who became the Prime Minister of Qin Daoism (Taoism) - Lao Zi (Lao Tzu) "Old Master" (c. 500) Daodejing, also known as Laozi - Zhuang Zi (Chuang Tzu) (c. 369-286) Zhuangzi Other schools of thought mentioned from this period are those of Mozi (5th c. BCE), whose philosophy is often called that of "universal love," and the School of Yin and Yang and the Five Agents.

China at the Time of Confucius After the displacement of the Western Zhou (c.1100-771) and the movement of the Zhou capital eastward, China was divided into a number of small states competing for power (771-221 BCE). Many philosophic schools of thought emerged during this period of political and social turmoil, a period known as that of the "100 Schools of Thought." Several of these philosophic schools have had lasting impact on Chinese civilization and political order, among them, Confucianism, Legalism, and Daoism. Leading philosophers in the early history of each school, and the texts associated with them, include: Confucianism - Confucius (c. 551-479 BCE) Analects - Mencius (371-289 BCE) Mencius - Xun Zi (Hsun Tzu) (298-238) Xunzi Legalism - Han Fei Zi (Han Fei Tzu) (d. 233) Han Feizi - Li Si (Li Ssu) (d. 208) who became the Prime Minister of Qin Daoism (Taoism) - Lao Zi (Lao Tzu) "Old Master" (c. 500) Daodejing, also known as Laozi - Zhuang Zi (Chuang Tzu) (c. 369-286) Zhuangzi Other schools of thought mentioned from this period are those of Mozi (5th c. BCE), whose philosophy is often called that of "universal love," and the School of Yin and Yang and the Five Agents.

Warring States Period (475-221 BCE). Confucius was alive at the end of the Spring and Autumn Period and argued for a restoration of the social and political order of the earlier Western Zhou period. Essential components of Chinese civilization that are evident in the Zhou period include the Chinese notion of the ruler as the "Son of Heaven" who rules with the Mandate of Heaven.

The climate of East Asia is both similar to and different from that of Europe and the United States.

Since rice produces a much higher yield per acre than does a crop such as wheat, it can support a much greater population per acre than does wheat. Climate, agriculture, and population size are closely related in East Asia where large population densities have existed throughout history.*

Chinese civilization (written script, Confucian thought, and Buddhism that had come to China from India) spread northward to the Korean peninsula and then to the islands of Japan, and southward to what is today northern Vietnam -- engendering dialogue and exchange among the four countries of the East Asian cultural sphere

The west and north of what is China today are dominated by mountains, steppe lands, plateaus, and deserts.

China's writing system (referred to as Chinese "characters") first appears in the Shang dynasty on tortoise shells and cattle bones (called "oracle bones") used for divination. Written language is a central determinant of the development of civilization; the Chinese writing system was the first developed in East Asia. Although there are many mutually unintelligible dialects in China, there is only one system of writing — a major unifying factor in Chinese history. (Chinese characters have no set pronunciation; the sound attached to each can vary depending on the dialect.) Therefore, all literate Chinese could communicate through writing.

Qin Shi Huangdi (Ch'in Shih Huang-ti), or the First Emperor of Qin, rules for a very short time (221-206 BCE) but lays the foundation for China's imperial structure and begins construction of the Great Wall for defense to the north. At his death, an army of life-sized terra cotta warriors is buried near his tomb. (These terra cotta warriors were first discovered in 1974 and have been the subject of exhibitions, magazine articles, and books since that time.

The Qin follows the Legalist proposals for state order and establishes a centralized bureaucracy and a finely detailed law code with specified punishments for each crime.

The Chinese and Roman empires trade through intermediates on the overland route through Central Asia, the "Silk Road." Chinese silk was an especially prized commodity in Rome, as silk production (sericulture) was known only to the Chinese.

It is during this period that Buddhism is introduced into China from India, following trade routes.

the civil service examination system,

Note the pattern of territorial pressure and incursions from China's north by nomadic groups, who are attracted by the wealth of the settled, agricultural civilization of China. The most illustrative examples are those of the Mongols, who conquer China and establish the Yuan dynasty (1279-1368 CE), and of the Manchus, who again conquer China and establish the last dynasty, the Qing, that rules for 300 years (1644-1911 CE). Each of these invaders rules through the Chinese bureaucracy, leading to the expression that China "sinicizes its conquerors."

"dynastic cycle."

constructivists believe in independent exploration by students that will lead to a deeper understanding of the content

cooperative/collaborative approach

socio-cultural model

cooperative or collaborative model of learning argues that learning occurs as an individual interacts with other individuals

socio-cultural model of learning argues that learning best occurs when the learning event is meaningful, more deeply or elaborately processed, situated in context, and rooted in the learner’s cultural background and personal knowledge

one goal is to create a meaningful environment that includes communication and collaboration

New technologies allow for construction of knowledge through what is actually deeper reflection by the learner

Through groups and other learning interactions with their online peers, students acquire deeper understanding because of the “opportunities for exposure to multiple perspectives and interpretations

Learning involves active cognitive processing

Learning is adaptive

  Learning is subjective, not objective

Learning involves both social/cultural and individual processes

socializing function by fostering a friendly environment

Organizing involves setting the objectives, procedural rules, and timetables

intellectual role, guide the students’ journey to understanding. This is accomplished by probing and questioning students about their responses, by summarizing main themes, and by linking these to assignments such as readings, written responses, and independent and group projects.

discussion board posts serve as learning artifacts as well as springboards for more learning and the development of community

social negotiation and mediation

authentic and real-world environments

Teachers serve primarily as guides and facilitators

prompting students to develop their own inquiry questions

allowing students to express their knowledge through multiple avenues

encouraging group projects and collaborative learning

If, on the other hand, we believe that learners actively construct knowledge in their attempts to make sense of their world, then learning will likely emphasize the development of meaning and understanding

use of discussion boards

provide forums that require students to research an area of interest and report back to the class in the forum

incorporates collaborative elements

instructor should build in as many collaborative opportunities for group work

relative "anonymity" of online discussions helps create a level playing field for women, homosexuals, students with physical handicaps, and members of other potentially marginalized groups, as they can participate in class activities without being stigmatized. Moreover, the format gives non-native speakers of English extra time to contemplate questions and compose appropriate answers.

teaching styles do not work in the online environment (just as some students have discovered that their learning styles make online courses unworkable for them)

Online students, however, can and do e-mail countless questions to their professors and frequently engage in a dialogue that would be hard to duplicate in the F2F world.

Students with family or work responsibilities are often unable to commit to a traditional course because they cannot be in the same place at the same time for 15 consecutive weeks.

teach students to find and learn information on their own or in concert with their colleagues. The online environment fosters self-motivated education.