Teaching East Asia: Korea Teaching East Asia: Korea | Page 101

History Today Talk Shows
East Asia Today
Students of World History and United States History can create their own talk shows and
become more informed about major issues throughout the world. Their project will involve
working in groups, extensive research from reliable sources, and presenting a History Today
Talk Show for approximately 15-20 minutes during class. This project will be a long-term
endeavor and presentations will be spread out over the course of the school year. Before the
students can present their History Today Show, they must submit a proposal to demonstrate that
they will fulfill the necessary requirements.
For example, four students represent the following countries: China, Japan, South Korea, and the
United States. Each student will act as either the leader of China, Japan, South Korea or the U.S.
Secretary of State and will be prepared to discuss concerns from the perspective of his/her
country. A fifth person will act as the moderator/host. The suggested format of a proposal is as
follows:
Topic: East Asia Today: China, Japan, South Korea, and the United States
To: Director and Executive Producer of East Asia Today
From: The Creative Team (students list their names)
Possible topics that students might select for the show: The students will discuss the most
important concern or concerns of the country they represent. Possible issues: 1) conflicts over
islands in East Asia, 2) China’s military activities in South China Sea, 3) North Korea’s nuclear
program, 4) free trade, 5) cybersecurity, 6) U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense System
(THAAD), 7) human rights issues in China and North Korea, 8) North Korean defectors in South
Korea, 9) China and Russia’s strong ties with North Korea, and 10) illegal fishing.
The Guest List: Leaders of China, Japan, South Korea, and the U.S. Secretary of State
Leaders will briefly introduce themselves and express their point of view on issues that are
currently the most important to their country. As students prepare for their news show, they
should have some agreement on the main issues that they discuss; however, each leader might
have a particular issue that they wish to also mention.
A bibliography must be presented before the News Today project can be approved. Topics that
would be relevant: U.S. immigration ban, the role of the U.S. in the Middle East, deregulation of
banks and businesses in the U.S., the Dakota Access Pipeline, and gun control.
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