GLOBAL ASIA: YESTERDAY, TODAY AND TOMORROW
3
LESSON ONE
GLOBAL ASIA: YESTERDAY, TODAY AND TOMORROW SERIES
Pair with “Premodern Empires of Asia” by Anand Yang. (The article appears in The Seattle Times on April 30, 2015.)
INTRODUCTION
The lessons in this teaching guide, paired with four articles appearing in The Seattle Times Newspapers In Education series, introduce students
to the history of Asia, including the ebb and flow of its economic, military and cultural powers in the region and around the globe. In this first
lesson, students will begin to learn about the rise of empires in Asia. This historical overview will provide a foundation as the students tackle
key issues and themes in Asian history for the past 2,000 years.
OBJECTIVES
• Students will build their geographic knowledge of Asia
• Students will begin to think about “empire” and identify key elements
• Students will research the political, artistic, religious, economic, technical and literary achievements of one of the premodern empires of Asia
• Students will create and present a timeline or infographic concentrating on one element, theme or statistic
FOCUS QUESTIONS
1.
Why is it important to study the history and culture of Asia?
2.
How do you define empire?
What are key elements present in most empires?
3.
What were some noteworthy themes or elements from some of the premodern empires of Asia?
MATERIALS
• The Seattle Times article “Premodern Empires of Asia”
• Copies of a modern political outline map of Asia for the entire class (recommended source:
• Timeline materials (butcher or poster paper, glue, markers, etc.)
• Computer/Internet access
• Projector
ACTIVITIES
Before Reading
1.
Assess students’ prior knowledge of Asia. Which countries are located in Asia? Ask students in pairs to write down as many Asian
countries as they can. Next, hand out the political outline map of Asia and ask them to label these countries on the map
(India, Pakistan, China, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, North Korea, Mongolia, Taiwan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam,
Laos, Cambodia, the Philippines, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan). Project the map at
on the board for students to complete labeling the countries.
NOTE: If basic background information would be helpful, view this website to build students’ knowledge:
BBC Country Profile. Full profiles provide an instant guide to history, politics and economic background of countries and territories, as well as background
on key institutions. They also include audio and video clips from BBC archives.
2.
Discuss: Which of these countries are often in the news today? Why? Is there a particular current event or country that you like to
follow? Why is it important to understand the history and culture of this region?
3.
Next, ask students to define “empire.” According to Merriam-Webster: “an empire is a major political unit having a territory of great
extent or a number of territories or peoples under a single sovereign authority.” What are some empires that they have studied? What
elements contributed to their rise — and fall? If time permits, you may want to project the following World History Map (from 3500 B.C.
until the present):
As you move forward through history, students can watch the rise
and fall of empires. For more detailed history corresponding to the article, click on the orange time button until you reach 200 B.C.
and then click on South Asia and/or East Asia.
