Program Introduction and Description

Mission

The National Consortium for Teaching about Asia (NCTA) is a multi-year initiative to foster a permanent place for the teaching and study of Asia at the middle and secondary school levels. It is coordinated by 5 universities and reaches educators in 40 states; the program is funded by a grant from the Freeman foundation.

The program objective foster a lifelong approach to professional development by providing Teaching about Asia seminars, curriculum development, texts, and resources, continuing education program and study tours to East Asia.

Eligibility

The program targets grade 6-12 teachers of world history, world cultures, and world geography. Teachers of the arts, English, East Asian languages, librarians, and curriculum consultants are also eligible.

Summer 2008 Program:
Michigan State University’s Asian Studies Center presents this program in Traverse City. It meets the week of August 11, 2008. It will run from august 11-15, from 9:00 am until 4:15 pm each day..

Teaching about East Asia Seminars

These 30 hour seminars introduce the history and culture of China, Japan, and Korea, and give teachers the opportunity to discuss classroom applications and resources. Seminars feature implementation tips form seminar alumni. To obtain a copy of the 2008 syllabus for the MSU seminar, please click on the sidebar called syllabus or please contact Marilyn McCullough at the Asian Studies Center (mccull67@msu.edu) or phone: 353-1680.

Date, Time and Location

Summer 2008 :
The MSU extension facility is located at 520 West St, suite A, Traverse City, MI.

Graduate Credit Option

Teachers may opt to earn 2 graduate credits for this seminar. The course is TE 891: Special Topics in Teaching, Curriculum and Schooling. To register please contact Doug Campbell: campbell@msu.edu.

Participant responsibilities

-attend all classes or do a make up project
-create and implement three lesson plans: One each on China, Japan, and Korea
-Attend one continuing education program in the year after the seminar.
-integrate East Asian content wherever possible in the curriculum.

Benefits

-free 10 week “Teaching about East Asia” seminar
$200 worth of texts and resources for your personal library
-$500 personal stipend
-$300 in resources for your school
-continuing professional development opportunities
-study tours to East Asia

Instructor

The course will be taught by Marilyn McCullough, currently Assistant Director of the Asian Studies Center at MSU. She has been teaching university courses about Asia since 1970, speaks Mandarin Chinese and has traveled extensively in Asia, especially Korea, china, and Japan. She has also led a number of study tours to China and Vietnam, for both students and educators.

Study Tours

Each participant who completes the Teaching about East Asia program is eligible for a 2-3 week study tour of East Asia. Each tour consists of 20 teachers, an East Asian scholar, a curriculum specialist and staff members and includes visits to historical, cultural and religious sites, school visits, and home-stays.