Thoughts on Studying Eastern Civilizations

This semester I have been taking a class on Eastern Civilizations, and we have been delving into Chinese history and philosophy the last few weeks. After finishing this section, I find myself amazed at how my knowledge and understanding of China has grown. It has made me somewhat frustrated that I haven't learned this information before. I've been pondering lately why we, as Americans, know so little about Asian countries and cultures.

I think one reason for this is that we are not normally taught this information in school. I remember having to take United States History and Western Civilizations during high school but never one on Eastern Civilizations. I think this is a shame, because there is so much to learn from the history of these countries. I know that there are a lot of factors that determine what classes are offered, but I also have seen the benefits of taking such classes.

Another possible reason why we don't know about the history or cultures of these countries is because it is difficult for Western minds to understand the different philosophies and worldviews of the East. Even after being immersed in the class, it is still a struggle for me to understand the values and perspectives of people that are opposite from myself. It is often a stretch to try to understand a completely different culture. I know this from personal experience!

This class I'm currently taking on Eastern Civilizations has opened my eyes to understanding more of current events and situations, like the relationship between the U.S. and China. I now know what people are talking about when they mention certain events, like the Opium Wars or Tienanmen Square. I believe we need to understand the history of other these countries, because it is important to understanding our own history.