A New Way of Seeing: Fresh Approaches to Teaching About Asian

Literatures

Presented by: Trevor CarolanUniversity of Fraser Valley, Vancouver

Why Asia?

• Asia in the news • Globalization• Shared experience

As educators, we need to know what is happening in this rapidly transforming region of the planet.

Why Literature?

• “A system of enquiry” (Education About Asia, Spring 1997: Vol. 2#1; p. 48).

• Images of “self” and “other”.• “Outer” form of a creative work reflects

underlying social values and philosophical framework.

• What literature means to its people.

Why Asia’s New Literature?

• Continuities and transitions.

• Change in status quo.

• Outward and inner influences.

• Innovation vs. Tradition.

Difficulties in Teaching About Asian Cultures

• Obstacle of foreign language.

• Travel takes time and money.

• Matter of engagement.

About Another Kind of Paradise

• Intentions in compiling this volume• What is it?– Collection of 21 contemporary stories from 15

East and Southeast Asian nations (in English)– Includes notes on each author’s work and life– Foreword by editors of Manoa Journal

Themes & Critical Approaches

Themes:– Urban poverty and social sustainability– New social demands of pluralism and diversity– “Official” and “unofficial” cultures in modern Japan– “Catch-up” economic politics and social destabilization– Job nomadism, migration, and sustainable economic practices– Continuing relevance of tradition in changing times

Breadth of Topics and Applicability

• World Literature• Comparative Literature• Women’s Studies• Asian Studies• Asian Literature• Pacific Rim Studies

Beyond unique reading entertainment, topics covered make this a standard text for:

• Obstacle of foreign language: read about Asian cultures with good translations or through stories by native-born writers fluent in English.

• Travel is takes time and money: (as stated before) literature is a window into the many facets and perspectives of culture.

• Matter of engagement: compare and contrast to get students involved in thinking critically.

Solutions and how Another Kind of Paradise helps

Basic principle for effective teaching about Asia: It’s based on history and brings in some adventure to the study of peoples and cultures that are becoming integral to the economic futures of students.

Four-Part Class Structure:• Mini lectures• Student-led seminars• Small study group analysis• Class presentations

How to Structure Class

Mini Lectures

Purpose: to understand a story’s contextPractice:

Key topics to discuss:– Intertwined histories–Physical geography–Religious development–Political overview

Student-Led Seminars

Purpose: to establish a critical reading and thinking process in relation to the text at hand

Practice:• Student pre-reading is obligatory• In-class analysis and interpretation– Text-based and beyond

• Question & answer (Socratic method)

Purpose: further discussion and understanding amongst students

Practice:• Students divide into small study groups (in class)• “Reading respondents” to initiate peer discussion (example)• Student tasks and role of instructor during exercise• Class presentation• Class participation grade

Results– from course evaluations

Small Study Group Analysis

Class Presentations

Purpose: further discussion and understanding amongst students

Practice: (following several weeks of small group tutorials)• Schedule class presentations and form groups for each story• Divide into “task reporters”• Written outline• Class presentation

Results- High standard of student presentation and quality of insight- Confidence-building situation

Results of this Class Structure

• Students work toward an understanding of how contemporary East Asian writers reflect historical social changes.

• Students acquire keener “sense of place”.• Help to avoid cross-cultural

misunderstandings.• Preparation for being a world traveler,

worker, and global citizen.

Questions?

Contact Trevor Carolan at:trevor.carolan@ufv.ca

www.trevorcarolan.comContinue the conversation with your peers at

peerSource my.cheng-tsui.com/forum/643

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