Taipei American School | 800 Zhongshan N. Rd., Section 6, Taipei, Taiwan | blueandgoldonline.org | VOLUME XXVIII, ISS. 01 | December 6, 2021 NEWS
Drama Production “Peter and the Starcatcher”
2
FEATURE
VERDICT
4
7
Faculty who played college sports
“The Guilty” Review
THE BLUE & GOLD SEMESTER ONE HIGHLIGHTS
History department renovates curriculum to foster global perspective By Lana Lee
Dance Production “The Nutcracker” makes a return The double cast celebrated Mrs. Flemming’s first and last production [ARIEL LEE/THE BLUE & GOLD]
By Ariel Lee “The Nutcracker,” the 2021 Upper School dance production, was held from Nov. 10 to 12. It showcased the hard work of more than 90 students and the choreography of Upper School Dance Teachers Mrs. Cheryl Lagerquist and Mrs. Deborah Flemming and Lower School Dance Teacher Ms. Kendra Ing. This year’s production had a double cast: Two dancers played the same role in alternating performances. The dancers strived to embrace their stage character’s persona. “The biggest challenge for me was finding a connection
to my character, the Nutcracker,” Lucia Vera (‘24, she/her) said. “I’m not a great actor and I have never been cursed ugly by a mouse, so at times it was hard to convey the emotions that fit with the storyline.” Equally important to the dancers is establishing a close connection within the crew. “My favorite part was becoming close with a lot of new friends and the chaotic backstage energy,” Moa Sera (‘22, she/her), who also played the nutcracker, said. The production was particularly meaningful to the crew as it was Mrs. Flemming’s final dance production before she leaves Taipei American School (TAS). This year’s choice of “The Nutcracker,’’ the first production she directed at TAS,
celebrates her final year. At the final show, Mrs. Lagerquist, Ms. Ing and the dancers invited Mrs. Flemming to the stage to take her final bow. “It was wonderful to reflect on how far we have come as the first Nutcracker was the first dance production at TAS and no one knew what to expect,” Mrs. Flemming (she/ her) said. “Now we have established that our dance productions are polished and creative performances with strong dancers, beautiful costumes and fabulous sets.” As she leaves a remarkable legacy at TAS, she feels grateful toward everyone who has supported her and her work. “I am taking away precious memories with a full heart,” she said.
All incoming upper school students at Taipei American School (TAS) will be required to study Asian and world history, starting from the 2022-2023 school year. European history will no longer be a mandatory course. The graduation requirement of three history credits will remain unchanged. However, world history will replace the European history mandate for sophomores. They will have a choice to enroll in the AP or regular curriculum. History of Asia will be the single and mandatory course offered to freshmen. They will no longer have the alternative choice to take AP World History. The renewed curriculum aims to provide students with a more global look at history as opposed to the Eurocentric view previously reinforced by the European history mandate. “Let’s face it, European history focuses a lot on North Western European history… All this stuff gets left out,” History and Social Studies Department Chair Dr. Brandon Maguire (he/ him) said, pointing to the rest of the globe. TAS’s dual identity as an American school in Taiwan reaffirms the necessity for students to gain a comprehensive understanding of world history, including that of East Asia. The renewed history curriculum reflects the school’s mission to provide an American-based education with a global perspective. “We are Taipei American School, which means we should definitely be teaching the history of where we are...and the history of America [as well],” Dr. Maguire said. “The way we approach that can be better.” Beyond fostering a more global perspective of history, the change aims to equip students with valuable skills, including learning to write an academic research paper, at an earlier stage. “Every kid [will get] to learn the skills from History of Asia that first year, so they’re set up for success later on,” Dr. Maguire said. The department plans to redesign the world history curriculum by incorporating essential lessons from the current European history courses. It also plans to address the gaps uncovered in History of Asia and the marginalisation of many populations and regions, such as Native Americans and SubSaharan Africa. “[We will teach students that] it’s a world, not just a European world, or an East Asian world. It’s a world,” Dr. Maguire said. Both the regular and AP European history courses will still be offered as electives. Juniors and seniors who have taken an AP history course or received department permission may enroll in AP European History. An exception will be made for current freshmen in AP World History, as they will still be able to take AP European History next year, as sophomores. “It’s an important change,” Dr. Maguire said. “[The new curriculum will teach students] how we’re more interconnected and similar than we are different.”