Week 2 Reading Guide

Every week, usually on Thursday I will post the readings that should be done before discussion section of the following week. I will also post reading guides. This will mostly consist of questions that you should be able to answer after having read the week’s assignment. This week will be a little weird because you won’t know the blog address until after discussion.

Here is the reading guide for Week 2 discussion sections (which will be on the 12th and 13th)

Pages 1-9 in Murphey, A History of Asia
What are the characteristics that define Asia?
What is the problem with seeing these as defining characteristics of Asia?
Are they unique to Asia? Does only Asia possess them?
What do we mean by Monsoon Asia?

Look closely at pages 8 and 9. What sort of perspective does the author have? How could this affect how he presents Asia? Who are you? How does who you are affect how you see Asia?

I will also sometimes include questions that are based not on readings but on lecture, as well as some which should encourage us to think:
What do we mean by traditional Asia?
Can there be new traditions? Can traditions change and still be considered traditional?

One last thing, you can do more reading than what I have mentioned in the reading guide but please don't do less!