Zhao Ziyang

In this brief article, the author describe Ziyang's reform reputation and details a poster that went into circulation.  What are your thoughts and responses?

Read and respond.

http://chineseposters.net/themes/zhaoziyang.php

China Tea Houses

In the interviews you read, you learned about the public perception of tea houses and ceremonies.  This article provides more history and a brief description of the tea implements.

Read and respond.  Would this information have helped or hindered the interview, in your opinion?

http://chineseculture.about.com/library/weekly/aa120300a.htm

Chinese Acrobats

The acrobats from China are renowned.  (Most of the martial artists began their careers here.)  In this clip, you can see some evidence why.

Watch and respond.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uY85Gb4Yj5M

Recent Acrobat News

Here's a story you don't always get to see or read about.

In this video below, here is a good evidence to not try these stunts.  .... What questions would you ask if you were a reporter?  What response would you give if you were China?

Watch and respond.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qwz8BOMoh_Q

China Police Fleet

In this blog, the author suggests that China has spent money on overhauling their police units ... well, kind of.  What subtext does he use in making his points?  How do these points compare and contrast to ones in previous readings on China?

Read and respond.
http://marktanner.com/blog/chinas-police-force/

Tibet

In this recent article, the journalist explores Tibetans' response to Chinese control.  How is this similar to and different from points the author made in the article you read about Tibet?

Read and respond.
http://tibet.net/2013/01/18/as-tibet-burns-china-makes-arrests-seizes-tvs/

Liu Xiaobo 2

In this argument by an Radio Free Asian reporter, reasons to free Liu Xiaobo are detailed.  What are the strengths of his argument and its construction?  Are there any weaknesses that you can detect?

Read and respond.

http://www.rfa.org/english/commentaries/lxb-12142012121159.html

Liu Xiaobo

Two of your readings centered around recent Nobel Peace Prize winner Liu Xiaobo.  The following brief article details the circumstances surrounding his imprisonment and the more recent house arrest of his wife.

Read and respond.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/thor-halvorssen/nobel-laureate-liu-xiaobo_b_1166012.html

Ha Jin

In this short video excerpted from an interview, Ha Jin discusses the importance of conflict and tension in fiction writing.  Did you see this in his short story Saboteur?  Be specific in your response.  Think of stories or novels that you have liked or disliked - does his theory hold true, based on your own experiences as a reader?

Watch and respond.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkvzq3RmAfQ

Another Poem by Tu Fu

Here is a poem "Ballad of the Army Carts" by Tu Fu.  Compare and contrast it to his other poem "Song of P'eng-ya."

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/ballad-of-the-army-carts/

Injustice to Dou E

On this website, you will find links to the play's actual performance in China.  If you have never experienced a traditional Chinese play, it is worth a look.  The "wedge" link will show you the actual performance.  Other links will show photo stills.

After looking at one or several of these links, what did you think?  Did it help or hinder your understanding of the play?  What are your reactions?

Read and respond.

http://www.xip.fi/atd/synopsis/snow-in.html

More Etiquette

Here is a more complete listing of rules for Chinese etiquette.  Some of these are completely foreign (pun intended) to western philosophies.

Read and respond.

http://www.ediplomat.com/np/cultural_etiquette/ce_cn.htm

Etiquette

The following is a list of etiquette guidelines to assist westerners in creating goodwill with native Chinese.  What, if anything, surprised you?  Connect these discoveries to other readings if possible.

Read and respond.

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/23615910/ns/today-travel/t/chinese-etiquette-tips/#.UOwEJqU1sX0

Zheng He

In this article from Yale Global, the author describes the conflict between Chinese nationalists and the official governmental response to Zheng He.  If this information had been made available, would it have supported or refuted Kahn's article?  Would it have empowered or weakened his argument?

Read and respond.

http://yaleglobal.yale.edu/content/chinas-cautious-pride-ancient-mariner

Legalism, Confucius, and Camel Kuo

Here are blogs that seem to be responding to a question posed by an introductory college course.  Both of them define the differences between government philosophies.  In your opinion, which one makes the better argument and why?

Read and respond.


http://jjsarge.blogspot.com/2012/11/history_2386.html



http://jadasbrown.blogspot.com/2012/10/history-111-ancient-chinese-religions.html

China's Civil Service Exam 2

In this article from The Economist, the author uses details from a worker's life to explain why he took the exam and how his life has or has not changed.  How does this information support or refute that presented in the article you read for class?

Read and respond.

http://www.economist.com/news/china/21567124-young-graduates-once-risk-takers-now-want-work-government-again-golden-rice-bowl

China's Civil Service Exam

Here is an article about the 2011 civil service exam in China.  What facts surprised you, if any?  Do these details support or refute the information presented in Miyazaki's article?

Read and respond.

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/photo/2010-12/05/content_11654354.htm

Great Wall of China myths

My two favorite stories about the Great Wall can be found on this link.  What did you think about them?  If the author of the magazine article that you read had included any of these details, would it have helped or hindered the overall argument?

Read and respond.

http://www.travelchinaguide.com/china_great_wall/culture/jiayuguan.htm

Great Wall of China construction

Here is a link briefly explaining how the Wall was constructed and how materials were transported.  Did anything surprise you?

Read and respond.

http://www.travelchinaguide.com/china_great_wall/construction/principle.htm

Pandas and Zoos

In the following blog, the author discusses what he feels are disadvantages to breeding pandas in captivity.  What are his strongest points and how does he support them?  Is there any additional information or points you would raise?

Read and respond.

http://www.bornfreeusa.org/bfusablog.php?p=3396&more=1

More Warriors

This video gives more detail about the creation of the warrriors.  The closeup views of the statues are amazing.

Watch and respond.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RsUE-ZtcUFg

Terracotta Warriors

The following link is Smithsonian's introduction to the traveling exhibit of China's terracotta soldiers (replicas).

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/multimedia/videos/Uncovering-the-Terra-Cotta-Soldiers.html#ooid=RxdzhwOqF5B8utGSRHsNlP8J0JaulEFU 

Watch and respond.  Connect to the reading you completed.