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On February 1, 2012, the Reischauer Scholars Program (RSP) embarked on its ninth year with a new class of 27 exceptional high school students from across the United States. Named in honor of former Ambassador to Japan Edwin O. Reischauer, the RSP is an online course about Japan and U.S.–Japan relations for high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors that is supported by a grant from the Center for Global Partnership, The Japan Foundation, and the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies. The primary instructor of the RSP is Naomi Funahashi, Stanford Program on International and Cross-Cultural Education (91�Թ�). The RSP was established in 2002 with a grant from the United States–Japan Foundation.

The RSP is a rigorous, college-level course that provides students with a broad overview of Japanese history, literature, religion, art, politics, economics, and contemporary society, with a special focus on the U.S.–Japan relationship. Ambassadors, top scholars, and experts throughout the United States and Japan provide online lectures and engage students in live discussion sessions. Students also complete readings and weekly assignments, with the coursework culminating in an independent research project.

Students were welcomed to the course with recently videotaped remarks by Ambassador Ichiro Fujisaki, Japanese ambassador to the United States, and Ambassador John Roos, U.S. ambassador to Japan. Ambassador Roos commented, “The relationship between the United States and Japan today is closer than it has ever been. As strong as our ties are, though, they are not self-sustaining. I encourage all of you to become the ‘Reischauers’ of your time, guiding the way to an even stronger friendship between our two great countries.”

The 2012 Reischauer Scholars are deeply engaged in the course, and have been active participants in meaningful dialogue about a variety of Japan-related topics. Topics discussed thus far in 2012 include Shinto and Buddhism in Japanese society, feudal Japan, the modernization of the Meiji era, Japanese colonial legacies, World War Two and war memory, and the impact of the 3.11.11 earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear disaster in northeastern Japan. Concerning 3.11.11, Ambassador Fujisaki commented, “The tremendous goodwill and support from American friends and people around the world… we will never forget it. We count on you to be a future bridge between Americans and the Japanese.”

The 2012 RSP class is comprised of students from the following 14 states: California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, South Dakota, Texas, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin. Upon completion of the RSP in June 2012, students will earn Stanford Continuing Studies Program credit and a Certificate of Completion from 91�Թ�, 91�Թ�. The RSP has the goal of equipping participants with a rare degree of expertise about Japan that may have a significant impact on their choice of study and future career. Since 91�Թ� started offering the RSP in 2003, Funahashi has noticed that many RSP students have continued to pursue Japan-related academic and extracurricular interests in college and beyond.

The advisory committee members are Consul General Hiroshi Inomata, Consulate General of Japan in San Francisco; Ambassador Michael H. Armacost, Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center, 91�Թ�; Professor Emeritus , 91�Թ�; Professor Emeritus Nisuke Ando, Doshisha University; Professor Phillip Lipscy, 91�Թ�; and Gary Mukai, Director, 91�Թ�, 91�Թ�.

The 2012 91�Թ� catalog is now available.  91�Թ� developed five new curriculum units in 2011.

Nuclear Tipping Point: A Teacher's Guide

The documentary Nuclear Tipping Point tells the story of how four Cold War-era leaders—former Secretary of State George Shultz, former Secretary of Defense Bill Perry, former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, and former Senator Sam Nunn—came together to address the threat of nuclear power falling into the wrong hands. Produced by the Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI), the film is narrated by actor Michael Douglas and earned wide media attention when it came out in 2010. 

Now, through a partnership between 91�Թ� and NTI, the film is accompanied by a new teacher’s guide for classroom use of the documentary. The guide underscores the importance of teaching for critical literacy and addresses specific connections to the National Standards for History in the Schools. Student activities include multiple choice quizzes, persuasive writing and analysis, and ideas for creative projects. 

China in Transition: Economic Development, Migration, and Education

China in Transition introduces students to modern China as a case study of economic development. What are the characteristics of the development process, and why does it occur? How is development experienced by the people who live through it, and how are their lives impacted? How do traditional cultural values—such as China’s emphasis on education—contribute to and/or evolve as a result of modernization? Students examine these questions and others as they investigate the roles that migration, urbanization, wealth, poverty, and education play in a country in transition.

Legacies of the Vietnam War

The 20-year war in Vietnam was a prolonged and devastating conflict. In its aftermath, South Vietnamese civilians fled from the Communist takeover on perilous boat journeys that led to the formation of diasporic communities. Others faced lengthy detention in post-war re-education camps. This unit aims to help students learn and appreciate these and other important legacies that have shaped Vietnam and the world at large.

Angel Island: The Chinese-American Experience

Angel Island: The Chinese-American Experience is a graphic novel that tells the story of Chinese immigrants detained at Angel Island Immigration Station in San Francisco Bay between 1910 and 1940. It offers a stark contrast to the more celebrated stories of European immigrants arriving at Ellis Island on the East Coast and poses important questions about U.S. immigration policy, both past and present.

An Introduction to Ukraine

As the second-largest country in Europe, Ukraine has always stood at a crossroads of cultural influences. It is a key part of Europe–and the management of its relationships with other countries (in particular, Russia) is key to the future of the whole of eastern Europe. This unit seeks to provide high school teachers and students with a broad introduction to Ukrainian history with activities that touch upon Ukrainian culture.