Topics in Asian American Studies: Introduction to Asian American & Pacific Islander Studies

Who are Asian Americans? What is the history of Asian Americans presence in the U.S.? How can we study and address the cultures, stereotypes, differences, and popular media representation of such a widely diverse ethnic group through literature? This course aims to build foundational knowledge of Asian American cultures, historical presence, internal diversities, and stereotypes to unpack the term "Asian American." Students will read the texts ranging from writings by European colonizers to contemporary texts, television and film where Asian Americans have been progressively constructed as exotic, foreign, perilous, savage, feminine, and model minorities. Showcasing chronological and thematic, historical and contemporary diversity from the gold rush to colonialism, empire, immigration, stereotyping, and social movements, this course will take students on a journey of histories, cultures, developments, and collaborations among Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in order to gain a nuanced understanding of their complex experiences and material conditions. We will comparatively study texts, poems and dramas that represent writers with cultural ties to China, Japan, Vietnam, Korea, Cambodia, The Philippines, Pakistan, India, and more. This course will provide a deep historical and theoretical foundation to understanding contemporary Asian American issues, and show continuities and divergences across time and space. No previous knowledge of Asian American and/or Pacific Islander studies is required. Texts of study include diverse literary genres, film, and popular culture.
Course Attributes: EN S; BU Hum; BU BA; AS SSC; AS SD I; FA SSC; AR SSC; AS SC

Topics in Asian American Studies: Introduction to Asian American & Pacific Islander Studies

AMERICAN CULTURE STUDIES 250

Section 01