Shreeve

      Shreeve has a positive opinion about use of the word "race" by scientists. He thinks race is biological problem, and is human's variation created by interaction between geography and inheritance. An anthropologist Jonathan Marks says, as Shreeve draws, race should be considered as biological category, not cultural one. On the other hand, unlike anthropologists, medical researchers seem to trust the reality of racial classification.  However, Shreeve disagree with medical researchers' idea because of lack of enough data. In the end, Shreeve cites Smouse's words. He says, of course there are generic diversity between groups of human, but such differences does not matter when we compere them with those between chimps and humans.

　　　I thought this text is not so organized but I could understand mostly. His main idea is,I think, race is a perspective thing. And I think so too. There is no well-established classification of race. We cannot and should not rank races based on genetic differences.

Gould

     In this text, Gould mentions Johann Friedrich Blumenbach, the German anatomist and naturalist who established racial classification.
     Blumenbach divided human into five groups; the Caucasian variety, the Mongolian variety, the Ethiopian variety, the American variety, and the Malay variety. Blumenbach thought Caucasian as the most brilliant race. Blumenbach's idea is that Caucasian, people from small region Caucasus, is the most beautiful people in the world and is original human. Blumenback's racial classification changed human arder from a geographic to a hierarchical ordering based on beauty. Though it seems that Blumenback was a racist, he was the least racist.  He thought that racial diversity arose from differences in climate and habit.
     Blumenback's idea is, as Gould says, based on his subjective sense of beauty. Therefore, I think his idea is not logical at all and I cannot agree with him at some points. For example, Blumenback stated that a Georgian female skull was the most beautiful form of skull. It is obvious for us that the form of skull could not be a criteria to evaluate human. I felt his idea is even humorous. Though, I agree with other his idea--racial differences come from diversity of climate and life style, and we cannot evaluate human's level based on skin color.

essay

Satomi Okada 1

Satomi Okada

Professor Christianson

ARW Section BD

10 October 2011

Outline

Ⅰ. Introduction

A.    Statistics

B.     Definition

C.     Thesis

Ⅱ. Why Korean have anti-Japanese sentiment?

A.    History textbook problem

B.     Anti-Japanese education

Ⅲ. Why good relation is needed?

Ⅳ. Solution

A.    Collaborative research

B.     Culture, tourism

            How Should Japan - Korea relations be improved?

     Last year, Japan’s annexation of the Korean peninsula marked 100 years. The broadcast stations in Japan and Korea reported the result of public perception of each country. The survey asked both sides about the view of relations between Japan and South Korea. Results of the survey showed that 57% of Japanese thought current relations between Japan and Korea were good, and 29% of Japanese thought the relation is bad. By contrast, 27% of Korean thought current relations were good, 73% of Korean thought the relation is bad (“YOMIURI”). This result indicated that there are dissonances in feeling each other.

     One of the reasons Korean have more negative feelings against Japan is related to “history textbook problems”. History textbook problem is various issues which are caused by different realization or interpretation of historical facts. This issue happens not only between Japan and Asian countries, but around Germany or Viet Nam. When people mention the conflict between Japan and Korea caused by history textbook, especially estimate of policy of WWⅡ or the Pacific War and depiction of invasion by Japan come to issues. There is considerable disagreement between two countries, and that have caused some conflicts and interrupted improving relations.

     Thus, in order to improve the relations, Japan and Korea should share recognition of history.

     Japan and Korea have a long history of trade, war, and exchange of culture, people, or thought from a distance past. Furthermore, still now the two nations are trading as important partners, and tourism trade and pop cultural exchange are developing. However, as seen from the above, a lot of Korean have antipathy against Japan. Why do Korean people dislike Japan so much? The main reason is historical issues. As Treaty of Ganghwa was conducted in 1875, Japan began to dominantly interfere with Korean politics. In 1910, Japan annexed Korea. Whether legal or not the annexation and Japanese colonial rule are disputable.

Why is there a big difference in how Japanese and Korean think each other? One of the possible reasons is “history textbook problems”. History textbook problem is, as seen above, issues which are caused by different or opponent descriptions of the same historical facts. History textbook problem between Japan and Korea includes “takeshima mondai” or comfort women problem, which is called juugun ianfu mondai. Some Korean people complain that several Japanese history textbooks do not mention these issues accurately. As an example, in 2007 Korea’s Education Minister sent Japanese counterpart a letter regarding whitewash in Japanese history textbook. In that letter, Korea’s Education Minister stated that distorted interpretation of historical facts could “damage neighborly ties and trust” (“Ed.Minister Protests Distortion”). Korean argued that history textbooks in Japan omit comfort women, and occupation of Takeshima and several Korean islets in East Sea.

 In addition to history textbook problems, education makes antipathy against Japan. In Korea, teachers are still conducting anti-Japanese education (“Anti-Japanese Education”). Thus, not only elderly people who experienced World War Ⅱ, but young people have negative feeling against Japan.

Current relation should be improved and more good relation should be built. However, why is good relation needed? Japan and Korea have been already doing well on economic point, like export and import trade. Isn’t it enough? Is it really needed to improve sentiment toward each other? The answer is yes. There are three reasons why it is necessary to improve relation. The first reason is that good relation could be helpful at the time of crisis. On March 11, a catastrophic earthquake, Great East Japan Earthquake hit Japan. Having had such painful experience, people could recognize the need and importance of cooperation with nearby countries. Of course, aid from other nations, such as United States or European countries is indispensable. However, support from nearby countries is important especially in a state of emergency that demands immediacy. Such support to cope with unexpected situation requires cooperative ties or harmonious relations. In addition to this kind of emergency situation, other issues surrounding Japan and Korea require cooperative relations from medium- to long-term viewpoint. Particularly, to cope with several problems related North Korea, Japan and Korea have to stay in collaborative relation. It is impossible for Japan by itself to resolve those problems, such as abduction, nuclear weapon, and missile. Delicate problems related to North Korea demand cooperation from international community, especially Korea. In addition, China has been significantly increasing its presence in world politics. In order to keep Japan’s position in diplomacy in East Asia, partnership with Korea is necessary. Likewise, Korea has an increased necessity for tie with Japan. It is difficult to deal with other countries for the long term with resentment. For all these reasons, Japan-Korea relation should be improved.

What Japanese and Korean should do to improve the relation? The most important element to resolve this problem is understanding of history. Japan and Korea have different and incorrect recognition of history. The two countries have conducted “Japan-Korea collaborative history research” twice from 2002 to 2010 (“Nikkan”). Many Korean media reported that the collaborative research worked well. On the other hand, committee in Japan stated that they talked at cross purposes and could not reach an agreement in many of their discussion. In contemporary history part, Korea claimed that especially Dokto and comfort women problem are so heavy and serious that they could not even bring up the topic. Each countries’ recognition were completely different, so the discussion made slow progress. However, discussion about historical facts cannot help running into trouble because perception of history inevitably contains subjective viewpoint. It is almost impossible to have a completely objective analysis. Thus, research of history demands showing willingness to compromise of both countries.

In addition, culture or tourism could be helpful. Recently, Japan and Korea are developing interaction by pop culture or tourism trade. The two countries can take this opportunity to know each other and establish friendly relations.

In conclusion, in order to survive in difficult situation in Japan or in East Asia, good relations with nearby country, Korea, is important.

Works Cited

“Anti-Japan Education in Korea” YouTube. 10 February 2009. Web. 18 October 2011.

“Anti-Japanese sentiment in Korea” Wikipedia. 14 October 2011. Web. 18 October 2011.

“Ed. Minister Protests Distortions in Japanese Textbooks” The Chosunilbo. October 2007. Web. 26 October 2011.

“NikkanRekishiKyodokenkyu” [Japan-Korea collaborative history research committee] Searchina. 24 May 2010. Web. 1 November 2011

“Japan-Korea disputes” Wikipedia. 24 October 2011. Web. 18 October 2011.

“Nikkan Kankei” [Japan-Korea Ralations] YOMIURI ONLINE 17 April 2010. Web. 10 2011

20×20

     I felt 20×20 presentation is a very interesting method. Compared with usual presentation style, we can more concentrate on presentation without getting bored. Also, many of section-mate used interesting and clear-cut picture on slides.
     It was not hard to manage the time because time limit is set, but at the same time it was difficult to keep speaking for 20min on every slides. Sometimes I couldn't find anything to say and stopped. I needed more practice.

Summary and Reaction to Diamond

   In this text, Diamond states there are three causes that effect on variety of human or animal. The three causes are natural selection, sexual selection, and the last one has no function at all. Diamond lists several way to classify human into some groups, race. Many types of classification Diamond lists indicate that there is no absolute way of grouping human into race.

     By reading this text, I realized how uncertain the race is. If people in old-time have focused on different aspect of human character, current classification of race may be different. If so, “black” may not be called “black”, and may not be discriminated. I thought it’s nonsense to classify people into race. This was a good opportunity to reconsider critically about the existence of race.

outline

Research Question
      Is it possible to make an improvement in relations between Japan and Korea? How to do it?

Thesis Statement
     Japan and Korea should try to reform current relations.

Ⅰ.Introduction
    A. Statistics
    B. Background
    C. Thesis

Ⅱ. History textbook problem
   
Ⅲ. How should we deal with the problem
    A. textbook
    B. culture, communication

Ⅳ. Conclusion
   

Essay Idea

1. the issue
        relationship between Japan and Korea
2. Why is the issue important?
       The relationship between Japan and Korea seems not to be good, and actually there has been a lot of conflicts between them. I think such situation should be inproved.
3. Why am I interested in this?
        In the newspaper, TV, or Internet, I heard or saw some comments by Japanese that have a bad word to say about Korea. I was shocked some Japanese have a strong antipathy for Korea even now.
4. questions
        ・current situation
        ・history
        ・causes/reasons
        ・how Japanese think
        ・how Korean think
        ・is it possible to make an improvement?

Reaction to Fisher

     The Fisher's text was easy to understand and  interesting. I thought Fisher's text, "Perception of Self", was easier than Barna's one because explanations were simple and examples were understandable. And this text was interesting because it taught me how we perceive something that we are not usually conscious of. Each explanations were convincing, so I could be awere how inperfect and inaccurate our perception is.
     I've not think about "perception" deeply because it is an unconscious action. But through reading this text, I become interested in such area, like perception or conception.

Reaction to the Barna text

    

     The Baran text "Stumbling Blocks in Intercultural Communication" was interesting and simple to understand. I’ve never been abroad, so actually I have not been faced with difficulties related to intercultural communication. But I think what Barna said could help me cope with such difficult situations.

     I think most of us have “stumbling blocks” unconsciously but do not notice about that. Even noticing that we have stumbling blocks would make intercultural communication smooth. In addition, if we make efforts to study and understand another culture each other, it would go more smoothly.

     As seventh stumbling block, our group found “xenophobia”, which means a strong feeling or fear of people from other countries. I think Japanese also have such a feeling and it is a challenge to be addressed.

Summer Reading

Title
     The Giver
Author
     Lois Lowry
Why I Chose This
     I read book review posted in Amazon and thought it interesting and thought-provoking work.
The Plot
     There is a world like an utopia. In that utopia, everything is completely controlled. People could live in the community peacefully and evenly because there is no pain, evil, desire, struggle, or war. Their jobs are also controlled because the committee asigns jobs to each citizen.
     People's whole life in the community is like that; There are Birthmother who give birth as a job. Newchildren that Birthmother bear are taken care in the Nurturing Center at first, then they are sent to each home. There are Ceremony for children in December every year. When a child becomes twelve-year-old, they are given Assignment, which means job, in the Ceremony, and begin job training. There are many assignments, like Nurture, Caregiver, Doctor, Recreater, Birthmother, and so on. When people get old, they start to live in the House of the Old.
     The life in the community is organized, and seem to be comfortable to live because there is no pain or war and safety is promised. But actually there is no real happiness. That is, there is no color, music or even love. Every feeling is completely ontrolled.
     The hero, Jonas, is assigned a job as "Receiver", who receives old memories  from the Giver. In that memories, there were still pain, saddness, war, happiness, and love. As receiving old memories, Jonas comes to think this community is somewhat strange and desire to change it. And Jonas takes action.
Reaction
     It was interesting scenes that Jonas receives the memories from the Giver. In this community, natural environment does not exist. People don't know sunshine, snow, warmth or coldness. People also don't know concept of color, music, and love. As Jonas sees the memories, he is very impressed how beautiful the previous world was. I cannot imagine the world that does not have color or music or nature at all! Of course sometimes nature cause disaster that destroy our lives. But if there were no nature, how dull? how monotone the world will be? These scenes made me notice that what a beautiful and wonderful world we live in.
     And another impressive scene was Christmas party in the memory. At home, there are children, parents, and grandparents. For the first time, Jonas learned about real family and love. I thought it was a very heartwarming scene and thought how fortunate it is to have family.