Teaching East and Southeast Asia through Asian Eyes

Tracy C Barrett

doi:10.16995/ane.79

Abstract

Colonialism and indigenous responses to its varied forms dominate modern Asian historiography and imbue the history of the region with rich and multifaceted connections to world history. As a result, the histories of East and Southeast Asian nation-states since 1500 cannot be viewed outside of the context of global affairs. Imagining Asian peoples and cultures during this time is problematic for students, who typically approach colonialism from a western perspective. This presentation explores various means of incorporating into the classroom pedagogical materials and diverse media sources that facilitate a more grounded examination of East and Southeast Asian colonies, peoples, and nation-states.It pays special attention to teaching colonialism, anti-colonialism, nationalism, and transnationalism from the perspective of Southeast Asia’s indigenous peoples.

Highlights

Colonialism and indigenous responses to its varied forms dominate modern Asian historiography and imbue the history of the region with rich and multifaceted connections to world history
A recent thread on the H-Asia listserv, for example, questioned the value of teaching Asian history beyond the survey level to students unfamiliar with Asian languages. The crux of this dilemma seemed to center upon two questions: can one effectively introduce Asia to non-Asian students and, if so, how? I believe that a solution to this difficulty can be found in a careful reevaluation of the types of sources used in the teaching of Asian history
Adam Woelders (2007, 365) argues for a distinction between ineffective teaching with film and the immensely useful process of “teaching about history with film,” which “challenges students to construct their own historical knowledge based on inferences, speculations, and conclusions drawn from evidence, not solely from any authoritative source such as the teacher, the textbook, or the information” they glean from other course materials like film, fiction, and memoir

Summary

Introduction

Colonialism and indigenous responses to its varied forms dominate modern Asian historiography and imbue the history of the region with rich and multifaceted connections to world history. Barrett is an Assistant Professor in the Department of History, Philosophy, and Religious Studies at North Dakota State University to expose students to the breadth and depth of Asian memoirs, fiction, and film available for classroom use.

Results

Conclusion