East Asia and The World: Past and Present
Sponsored by the Tennessee Geographic Alliance, The National Consortium for Teaching About Asia (NCTA), and The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Asia Program
December 2016-April 2017
We are seeking 20 outstanding Tennessee and North Georgia teachers who are interested in exploring the historical and contemporary interactions of China, Japan, Korea, and Taiwan—both within Asia and with non-Asian nations. The content of the professional development program will have practical pedagogical applications for a wide variety of participants, classrooms, and schools.
Program topics include the geographies of East Asia, “hands-on” calligraphy, Chinese dynasties, the samurai: fact and fiction, understanding Japanese gardens, East Asian immigrants and America, World War II in the Pacific, US-East Asia: economics and national security, and teacher opportunities for East Asia study tours.
Anticipated instructors and facilitators include:
Kurt Butefish, Tennessee Geographic Alliance Coordinator
Lucien Ellington, The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Asia Program and School of Education
Ron Kalafsky, The University of Tennessee Department of Geography
Asami Nakano, The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Asia Program
And two outstanding area teachers who are NCTA graduates
Collectively, the instructors for this professional development program have conducted Asia-related professional development programs for several thousand teachers.
Teachers who are selected to participate and successfully complete this professional development program will receive stipends and curriculum materials. Participants who complete the professional development program will also earn enough credits to qualify as NCTA Alumni.
The National Consortium for Teaching About Asia (NCTA), funded by the Freeman Foundation, is a multi-year initiative to encourage and facilitate teaching and learning about East Asia. Launched in October 1998, this nationwide program is a collaboration of the East Asian Studies programs of five national institutions: Columbia University, the Five College Center for East Asia Studies, Indiana University, the University of Colorado, and the University of Washington. More than 17,000 teachers have participated in NCTA seminars since the program began. The UTC Asia Program is a Columbia University NCTA partner site.
Who is eligible for this professional development program?
Public or private school Tennessee or North Georgia 4th grade through 12th grade social studies teachers, humanities teachers, visual and performing arts teachers, elementary teachers with a special interest in Asia, teachers of gifted students, and curriculum supervisors and coordinators.
What are the expectations of participants?
Accepted participants will be expected to complete short digital readings and assignments for the professional development program. Participants will attend two, one-day workshops conducted at The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga on Saturday, January 21st and Saturday, February 18th.
Before March 31st, all participants are expected to prepare two lessons based upon what they learned from the readings, websites, and two workshops. Upon successful completion of the lesson plans, participants will be certified as NCTA alumni.
How do I obtain an application and what is the deadline for application?
An application may be downloaded by clicking this link
Because of the chance to become an NCTA alumni and earn stipends, we expect more applicants than spaces available. The final deadline for receiving applications is December 16th, 2016. Qualified applicants will be selected on a first come-first served basis.