About the Author
Esperanza Ramirez-Christensen is Professor of Japanese Literature in the Department of Asian Languages and Cultures at the University of Michigan. Her publications include “Theory vs. Practice/East vs. West, a Commentary by Discussant”; “The New Historicism and Japanese Literary Studies: Introduction; Resisting Figures of Resistance,” and “Renga Discourse and the Dissemination of Classical Literature.” She is editor of The Father-Daughter Plot: Japanese Literary Women and the Law of the Father and coeditor of Heart's Flower: The Life and Poetry of Shinkei. Her academic interests include classical Japanese language and premodern Japanese literature. She has received numerous grants and awards for her research.

About the Lesson Plan Author
Angela Lee teaches world history at Weston High School in Weston, Massachusetts. She has developed the modern world history curriculum and the AP World History curriculum for the district and has been an AP World reader for the College Board for three years.