COURSE NAME: Contemporary Topics of East Asia

SCHOOL DISTRICT: Maple Hill High School - Schodack Central School District

INSTRUCTOR: Mr. Mark Hoyt

HALF YEAR

MAXIMUM TOTAL CLASS ENROLLMENT - ALL SITES: 25

COURSE PREREQUISITES:

This class is designed for students who are interested in exploring the many
countries of East Asia and are willing to learn about this part of the world through
weekly readings, watching videos, and investigative research projects.

BRIEF COURSE DESCRIPTION / OUTLINE:

This semester long course will investigate the historical origins,
development, and current status of numerous contemporary problems or
issues that in one form or another impact the relationship between East
Asian countries as well as with other non-Asian countries. Beyond merely
looking at the historical evolution of key problems within East Asia this
interesting class will also investigate political solutions from the lens of
international relations and comparative politics (domestic, bilateral,
regional, and global approaches). Some of the major topics or issues to be
examined are: Olympics, population control, pollution, political conflicts,
health, crime and corruption, societal ills associated with modernization (e.g.,
drug abuse, teen delinquency, alcoholism, teen pregnancies, fads, etc.),
education, national and international security issues (border conflicts, energy
usage, war and peace, etc.), emerging economic growth models, and issues of
cooperation and collaboration.

OTHER NOTES / MISCELLANEOUS:

This class will involve numerous short readings, many written reviews on these short readings, and the
willingness to work independently as well as within small group settings for projects.

1/8/09