In a world shaped by rapidly evolving geopolitical dynamics and digital connectivity, teaching Asian history requires new approaches that move beyond narratives of the nation-state to engage with global frameworks, transregional interactions, and contemporary relevance. More than just a survey of major historical events across different countries, recent courses on Asian history often highlight shared themes such as nationalism, empire, borderlands, imperialism, and modernity, while also addressing critical issues of gender, labor, and class. Emphasizing diverse historical sources, multimedia materials, and thematic focuses, this roundtable invites historians to explore strategies for teaching Asian history to a new generation of students immersed in digital literacy and an era of information abundance.

This roundtable brings together scholars from private and public institutions across the United States to discuss diverse experiences and challenges in teaching Asian history across different levels, class sizes, and political contexts. Lina Nie explores how integrating Japanese and Chinese history into a transregional framework helps students analyze sources in different languages and move beyond nation-state boundaries. Jinghong Zhang examines the use of gender as a critical lens in survey courses, drawing on women’s images, mythology, and historical writings to uncover marginalized voices. Mian Chen highlights the pedagogical value of propaganda materials across different periods, regions, and media, demonstrating how they reveal both state narratives and individual agency. Chang Xu shares strategies for teaching the history of medicine, science, and technology in Asia, emphasizing its global interconnectedness and relevance beyond regional studies.