Reference no: EM133770100

Assignment: Critical Reflection for East Asian Study

Each student is expected to submit two short responses addressing one of the discussion questions posed at the end of each lecture. You must submit one response related to a China-related lecture/reading, and one related to Japan-related material.

The first response is due by 2/18, and the second response by 3/17.

Pay attention to the questions posed by the professors either during or at the end of each lecture and choose a question or a group of related questions to respond to in the form of a short essay. Although your response will not constitute a full-fledged essay, you still need to make an argument and back up your claim with original argumentation, analysis, and evidence from the lecture and at least one assigned reading.

The response essay should

• Answer the chosen question(s) by making an argument that goes beyond mere description (analogous to the more developed thesis statement you would include in an essay)

• Speak to the examples and points from the readings and the lectures

• Be well organized

• Be clearly written

You are encouraged to cite additional sources, but should mainly engage the course materials.

Choose one out of those 3 questions

I. Can you think of any specific examples of the representation of the First Emperor in media (books, films, video games, comics, etc.)? How does it represent him? What aspects of his character does it emphasize? Describe your personal experience with this media artifact and directly quote it.

II. Sima Qian criticized authority, including the First Emperor's centralization of power, to the point of great personal harm. At the same time, he benefited from centralized power by working as a court scribe, a position inherited from his father. Is it right for Sima Qian to criticize the founder of systems that would later support him? Why or why not? Have you ever criticized power structures that have benefited you? Describe a case where you did or did not do so, and your reasoning for your decision, drawing parallels to Sima Qian.

III. The traditional Chinese concept of authorship is deeply influenced by Sima Qian's unique situation, in which people give vent to pent-up feelings after being wronged. What are some alternative ways of thinking about authorship? What might be other reasons for writing history or literature? Have you ever written something--a poem, a diary entry, a letter--for one of these reasons? Describe it and compare it to Sima Qian.