The history of Silla's now being taught in the US? That's what thought when I first saw
this article, but it seems it's just in
an elementary school teaching aid.
According to the Korea Society, on May 1, the world history magazine “Calliope,” which has been used as additional world history reading material for U.S. high school students, covered the history of the Silla Dynasty in the entire 50 pages of its March issue.
It seems a little pathetic to write a whole article on this--who cares if a tiny magazine covers part of Korean history? This quote is also odd:
I thought it would be a good chance to acknowledge Korea and Silla properly through this special edition since Korean ancient history has been inappropriately appraised between Japan and China in the U.S.
Inappropriately appraised? How much do US 'tweens really know about ancient Japanese and Chinese history?
1 comment:
I think once again you have a different interpretation on what US schools versus what Korean schools do. I've certainly never heard of this magazine, and I'm not sure how many average classes use it. So the idea that it would make a big impact on US understanding of ancient Korean history is, sadly, a little ridiculous. US World History courses, if I remember correctly, focus on Europe, with a little bit about China, and discuss Japan only when WWII breaks out. I didn't know anything about Korean history until I heard Silla mentioned in a Chinese history course, and nothing in depth until this class. I don't think this trend is going to change any time soon.
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