Discovery Atlas: China Revealed

Jeff Tripodi
Social Studies teacher, grades 9-12
Blackhawk High School
"China Revealed" is a 2006 episode of the Discovery Channel's visually compelling series Discovery Atlas. The 102-minute film offers a brief history of the Middle Kingdom, but invests the bulk of its runtime exploring the dichotomy of today's China, juxtaposing the richness and consistency of Chinese culture with the breakneck modernization of a rapidly modernizing nation.
In this program, China is viewed through the lens of a series of individuals, chosen to represent a cross-section of Chinese society. Several are traditional (a Shaolin monk, a Mongolian horse trainer, rice farmers in Longji terraces, a traditional bowmaker), while others represent a more modern perspective (a 12-year old Olympic hopeful, a wealthy real estate developer, and a policewoman). These subjects illuminate the breadth of Chinese culture, as it maintains its traditional roots while embracing modern -- and Western -- technology and custom.
Most interestingly, two additional subjects illustrate this conflict by straddling the two worlds. A window washer, from a family steeped in traditional rice farming, works in Shanghai and returns home once a year, flush with cash to support his family. A young woman explores plastic surgery to appear more Western, and thus, in her estimation, more viable as a corporate employee.
By exploring the lives of these representatives, "China Revealed" deftly addresses major cultural, economic, and sociological conflicts, among them:

Urban China vs. rural China
Traditionalism vs. modern industrialism
Ideal culture vs. real culture
Intergenerational dissonance
Historical communism vs. capitalism
Despite being nearly ten years old, "China Revealed" remains vital and relevant. The "everyday people" editorial decision brings a humanity to the film. Its production values are strong and visually compelling.
As a teaching tool, it is better as a conversation-starter than a standalone curriculum unit. I use it in the ethnology unit of my Anthropology elective, and draw examples from it to illustrate subculture, geographic determinism, real vs. ideal culture, gender roles, symbolic vs. material culture, and the changing role of rice as a marker of cultural identity. Students respond very positively to this program.