Book & Film Groups
Global Asia Book Group
Explore “Asia” in its many manifestations through the lens of Global Asias (the notion of studying Asia transnationally and transculturally through the movement of people, ideas, and culture across place and time). Through a curated series of online book groups designed for high school teachers, this course will focus on stories that center the human experience against the backdrop of war. This series features four novels that link Asia (China, Tibet, Korea, Japan, and India) to North America (the United States and Canada) through multifaceted exploration of identity, migration, war, and resilience. Each book provides a unique lens through which to examine history complexities of life across our global community, making them valuable resources for educators looking to enrich their curriculum with diverse narratives and historical contexts.
This series will enrich educators’ understanding of diverse cultures and histories across Asia and equip them with tools to foster a more inclusive and global perspective in their classrooms. Each of these books offer a fantastic resource to explore themes of migration, identity, war and resilience with students, encouraging a deeper appreciation for the complex interconnections that define our world.
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- Time Detail:
- 4:30pm to 6:30pm (PT)
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- Type of Course:
- Book & Film Groups
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- Registration and Info:
This program is now full and registration has closed.
Participation to this program is free and it includes a copy of each book in the series. Participants will choose to attend at least one of the following sessions:
Monday, April 1: “Buddha in the Attic” by Julie Otsuka – This story shares the collective experiences of Japanese “picture brides” who sailed to San Francisco in the early 20th century, hoping for a better life. Otsuka’s novel, narrated in the first person plural, offers a poignant look at their dreams, struggles, and the harsh realities they face in America against the backdrop of anti-Asian racism.
Monday, April 15: “We Measure the Earth With Our Bodies” by Tsering Yangzom Lama – This novel offers a meditation on colonization, displacement, and the enduring connections to family and ancestral land. Spanning fifty years and told through the lives of four individuals, this book paints a picture of the Tibetan-in-exile community.
Wednesday, May 8: “Pachinko” by Min Jin Lee – This epic saga follows four generations of a Korean family in Japan, exploring themes of identity, survival, and the quest for a home. The novel delves into the experiences of the Korean-Japanese community, highlighting the impacts of World War Two and the personal stories of those caught in between.
Monday, June 3: “The Island of Sea Women” by Lisa See – Set on the Korean island of Jeju, this novel focuses on the lives of haenyeo, female divers, over several decades. The story of friendship, love, and the challenges faced by these women against the backdrop of historical events (WWII, the Korean War, and the Post-War) provides a glimpse into a matriarchal community and the strength of women in shaping their destinies.
