Schedule
All readings in this schedule should ideally be completed by the day under which they are listed, although this requirement is only assessed during TRAs and team Application Exercises. All numbers in the schedule are page numbers unless otherwise noted.
CAUTION: I reserve the right to make revisions to on-line materials prior to their discussion in class at the relevant point in the semester. Therefore WAIT until that time to print out materials you wish to have on hand, such as terms, excerpts and assignment guidelines.
Unit 2a: The Classical Period of Ancient China (15th century BCE - 2nd century CE)
| Dates | Tasks | Readings |
|---|---|---|
| Tue, Oct 9 & Thu, Oct 11 |
orientation to readings *Unit 1 Guided
Reflection* |
FIND TERMS & EXCERPTS from the reading guide in these primary sources:
FIND * TERMS from the reading guide in these overviews:
|
| Tue, Oct 16 | iTRA
#2a DUE by 11:30 am Application Exercise 2a |
(same as above) |
| Thu, Oct 18 | Application Exercise 2a (*NOTES REQUIRED* - use optional application worksheet if helpful)
|
REVIEW
IN DEPTH:
PREPARE NOTES responding to the following situation: BACKGROUND: The Oak Park/South Sac (OPSS) City Repair Initiative is inspired by Portland's City Repair Project (see the YouTube video, "Transform Space Into Place") City Repair has just kicked off its fall "Placemaking" efforts in one Oak Park neighborhood whose residents have been wanting to strengthen community ties. OPSS City Repair staff provided organizing tools and materials to help them paint a central intersection, where they then sponsored two events designed to bring people together through engaging practices. 1a. a bonfire gathering at the heart of the intersection, around which people gathered to hear songs and offer written statements of commitment and prayer to the fire at both dawn & dusk on the summer solstice day. 1b. a two panel sculpture placed on NW & SE sides of the intersection, made by local artists and interweaving scenes from key stories about Middle-Eastern prophets: Abraham, Moses, Isaiah, Jesus--but being careful not to depict Mohammad out of respect for Muslim sensibilities. (Two more panels are planned which will integrate scenes from the tribal history of Latin America & West Africa, to acknowledge the rich heritage of those who do not identify with Christian or Muslim traditions.) THIS APPLICATION EXERCISE: Knowing that you are a scholar of ancient Chinese practices that inspire deep reflection, OCSS City Repair has asked you participate in evaluating a set of three more modern practices they are considering for the next stage of their efforts. Both the above-mentioned events drew enthusiastic participation not only from the targeted neighborhood but from those all around. During these events, many participants drew attention to the particular needs of young adults of this and surrounding neighborhoods who are in their late teens & early 20s, many of whom are drifting in the face of high unemployment and crime. So now the OPSS City Repair staff would like to develop a project specifically for this age group, and they are considering three options: A. a regular study group, to meet three times a week, dedicated to studying and disseminating the principles and research being by the Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley, which is "devoted to the scientific understanding of happy and compassionate individuals, strong social bonds, and altruistic behavior." (Wikipedia overview). B. working with artistically talented young adults to create a combination mural & sculpture for the private courtyard behind the governor's office at the State Capitol, which would represent the complex tensions & power of the California neighborhoods which he serves. (Though the work would not be viewed by the general public, it would be on display for all future governors.) C. a group expedition to climb Mount Shasta, reviewing along the way the colorful history of the route associated with John Muir & other naturalists as well as the various Native American & recently even New Age legends associated with the peak (see Wikipedia overview). The expedition would design and then carry to the top an altar at which they would then offer a statement of dedication to serve the greater good of their community Having heard from you that these proposed projects are similar to China's Confucian practices and its traditions of monumental art, the program planners have asked you to evaluate these proposals in light of the success of ancient Chinese efforts. Your goal is to help them decide which project to try first. YOUR NOTES: Gather evidence from the sources associated with the three ancient Chinese practices assigned for this unit (see reading guide) that helps you evaluate which of the above projects the OPSS City Repair staff should try first, given that their goal is to deepen the reflection of young adult participants. Keeping in mind the distinctive socio-historical context of ancient China, identify people, actions, objects, words and spaces/locales associated with the Chinese sources that show the way(s) the associated practices reinforced the reflection of people engaged in them. *MAKE SURE TO CITE PAGE NUMBER(S) FOR EACH EXAMPLE* |