ASIA 198: First Essay Prompt (15 points)

ASIA 198: First Essay Prompt (15 points)

For the first part of our class, we have explored the concept of orientalism, imperialism and empire to understand the new interaction that the Asia developed in relation to the Western encroachment to the region. Here, we explored the “opening up” history of Japan, China, and Korea respectively and learned they had common but disparate reactions to the western “invasion.” We have observed the developments of urbanization, modern administration, new taxation system, education system, and marketization. But the way that each country responded to the “modernization” process showed great differences under the similar themes. You are asked to answer the following three questions on the basis of close reading of assigned reading materials. Each question should include at least one reading material. I highly appreciate that you can show your substantial understanding of reading materials by demonstrating facts, historical timeline, or narratives in a polished manner.

Questions 

1. On the basis of Wang Dong’s chapters, please explain the process in which the Opium wars happened and consequences/meanings the wars had made to China and the Britain.
2. On the basis of chapters by Nancy Stalker or/and Andrew Gordon, please describe the transition from the Edo Era to the Meiji reform; please focus on what changes were made by the reformers and how Japan faced/embraced the West.
3. On the basis of the documentary on Hiroshima, please illustrate the way /reasons that Japan ended up having series of wars and develop three important points that you took from the documentary.

Grading criteria 

1. Word limit: each question should be answered no more than 400 words—if less than 300 words, you will be discredited.
2. Coherence: The answer should be written under a coherent theme.
3. Substance: The writer should show a deep engagement with reading and visual materials, by including facts, timelines, events, important concepts on the basis of close reading with the materials.
4. Clearance: grammatically correct and clear delivery of the writer’s points.
5. No plagiarism: once it is found, the assignment gets 0 point and reported to the university.
6. Deadline: March 5, Saturday Midnight; no late submission is accepted unless there is a pre-arrangement with the instructor.