For the last five decades, the development of "Asia-literate" students has been a key objective in Australian education policy. The contentions surrounding this educational goal have been well documented by academic literatures, policy documents and media commentary. This paper seeks to redress the absence of student voices in these…

The author designed a midterm podcast assignment to give her students in "Modern East Asian Civilizations," an entry-level survey course, the opportunity to articulate their own understanding of East Asian artifacts, the ways in which objects are seen and imbued with meaning, and what those meanings imply.

Since 1969, over 60 Australian government and non-government policies, documents, committees, working parties and organisations have explored the need to "know Asia". In schools, this engagement is conceptualised as "Asia literacy" and disseminated in the emerging Australian Curriculum through the cross-curriculum priority…

Asia today is the center of tremendous growth. With the continued rise of China and the influential roles of Japan and South Korea in international affairs, it is no wonder that the 21st century has been dubbed the Asian century. Outside of these influential political actors, one also see the growing political significance of Southeast Asia in…

Drawing on a recent collaborative and interdisciplinary study of East Asian Images of Japan, this article discusses contemporary Chinese portrayals of Japan, their political context, and their significance for Sino-Japanese relations. It questions some widely-held assumptions concerning the extent of "thought control" in an authoritarian…

China's dramatic economic rise has tended to overshadow other wider perspectives on the developing China and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) relationship, including in higher education. The article examines contemporary relations between China and ASEAN, set against the longer term development of cultural and trade relations. It is…

In recent years, there has been much talk in the media and the academic world about the "rise of China," as if China were a young country. Because the People's Republic of China (PRC) celebrated its sixtieth birthday only last October--and because the PRC was not admitted into the United Nations until 1971 and did not become a member of…

Discusses the development of Pilipino American studies based on the author's personal teaching experiences at UCLA. Recommends content for a comprehensive course and emphasizes the need for sensitive teachers. (LHW)

Presents a broad overview of instruction about Asia in European schools. Identifies problems that limit the amount and quality of instruction, including the limitations of teachers, unchanging course syllabi, and inadequate textbooks. Provides suggestions for improving instruction. (JDH)

Presents a brief discussion of the Chinese language, its relevance to social studies students in the United States, methods of teaching and learning Chinese, romanization systems developed to help westerners pronounce and read phonetically, picture writing, and a directory of resource agencies and materials. (Author/DB)

Courses in Vietnam War history should incorporate Vietnamese, French, and English literary response to the war as complements to the history texts. Possibilities include an account of the French colonial experience, a required text in translation from the viewpoint of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, and Vietnamese expatriate texts. (MSE)

This article describes the different world views and sense of history held by typical United States and Chinese citizens. Based on a personal relationship between the author and a family of intellectuals in China, the article includes anecdotes from the Chinese Cultural Revolution. (JDH)

Surveys the existing treatment of Asia in upper elementary and secondary social studies textbooks. Treats improvements needed in such areas as: (1) global issues important to Asia, (2) content and approach, (3) economics and politics, (4) geography and resources, (5) international relations, and (6) treatment of subregions. Provides a…

Fourteen education students from Southeast Asia evaluated seven unspecified tenth grade social studies texts from five Pennsylvania schools, and made comments on the accuracy of presentations of Southeast Asian culture, customs, history, and topography. (Author/SJL)

This article describes the value of Asian and Asian-American studies in American education and suggests an approach to accomodate them in American education. (Author/CFM)