• The Chinese Home [Reading]
The traditional architectural plan of Chinese homes, as well as a diagram of "Family Hierarchy in a Beijing House." Includes discussion questions for students.

• Chinese Names [Reading]
An introduction to how generations in a Chinese family are connected through the traditions governing the naming of children.

• The Good Earth [Reading]
This unit introduces the novel The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck. While not considered Chinese literature per se, this book is widely used and valued for its portrayal of Chinese society — particularly the family. The unit includes an introductory reading for teachers (providing background on the author), followed by a student reading summarizing the novel. Discussion questions are included.

• Guide to "Heart of the Dragon" [Teacher's Guide]
"Heart of the Dragon" is a twelve-part video series on Chinese society produced by PBS and available in over 2000 libraries around the United States. The full text of the teacher's guide is included here to enable teachers to select those segments they may wish to show in class: Remembering, Eating, Living, Believing, Caring, Marrying, Mediating, Working, Correcting, Creating, Understanding, and Trading. (The part on Marrying is highly recommended as accessible and informative for high school audiences.)

• Family Organization in China [Reading — PDF file: Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader]
This reading explores traditional Chinese family organization, social forces, and family change in modern China, and the family in contemporary China. Included are a list of "Issues for Discussion" and "Selected Readings" for further study of the topic. The reading is taken from Asia: Case Studies in the Social Sciences, Myron L. Cohen, editor (M.E.Sharpe, 1992). Professor Cohen, who teaches anthropology at Columbia University, is also the author of the reading.

• Religion in a State Society: China [Reading — PDF file: Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader]
This reading discusses Chinese religious traditions, "official religion," popular religion, and dissent in Chinese religion in modern China. Included are a list of "Issues for Discussion" and "Selected Readings" for further study of the topic. The reading is taken from Asia: Case Studies in the Social Sciences, Myron L. Cohen, editor (M.E.Sharpe, 1992). Professor Cohen, who teaches anthropology at Columbia University, is also the author of the reading.