This document outlines the objectives and activities for a 4-week online course about Chinese history, culture, and modern issues. The course uses an online classroom platform called Moodle and includes weekly topics on Chinese dynastic history, regional geography and art, current politics and education, and China's role in the world. Students will complete interactive timelines, examine different Chinese cities, explore a topic during their tour of China, and share what they've learned with peers at the end of the course. The goal is for students to gain cultural awareness and be able to integrate their new knowledge into classroom teaching.
2. Become a Global Citizen
Course Objectives
Connect on-tour experiences to cross-cultural understandings
Increase self-awareness and build global awareness
Discover new ways to integrate new materials into classroom instruction
Ability to share the lessons and knowledge gained with others
3. Introducing Moodle
Why use Moodle?
Provides an online classroom for teacher and students
Ability to host syllabus, links, documents, activities in one space
Provides location for online discussion between students
4. Week 1: Historical overview & cultural traditions
Week 1 Objectives
Introduction to China’s long dynastic history and its believed legitimacy
Introduction to the Chinese belief systems and their ability to merge
Exploration of Confucian beliefs focusing on education and society
7. Week 2: Geography, diversity, and art
Week 2 Objectives
Familiarize students with an overview of China’s geographic diversity
Inspire recognition that geography is central to China’s development
Discover the traits of various regions by comparing three major cities
10. Week 3: Current issues in China
Week 3 Objectives
Familiarize participants with an overview of major political events
Examine China’s current education system
Explore politics or economics in modern China with further resources
11. On Tour Activity: Focus your exploration
Guidelines
Choose a topic to explore in China and develop a driving question
Keep a record of observations, reflections, and evidence
Select secondary sources and develop a way to present your findings
12. Week 4: China in the world
Week 4 Activity
Analyze how different media outlets represent current issues in China
Reflect how tour experiences have helped shaped student outlooks
Share On-Tour Assignments with peers; consider implications