Syllabus

Course Meeting Times

Lectures: 2 sessions / week, 1.5 hours / session

Course Description

In this seminar we will examine various issues related to the intersection of race and gender in Asian America, starting with the nineteenth century, but focusing on contemporary issues. Topics to be covered may include racial and gender discourse, the stereotyping of Asian American women and men in the media, Asian American masculinity, Asian American feminisms and their relation to mainstream American feminism, the debate between feminism and ethnic nationalism, gay and lesbian identity, class and labor issues, domestic violence, interracial dating and marriage, and multiracial identity.

Grading

ACTIVITIES PERCENTAGES
Class Participation 30%
Final Project 40%
Oral Presentations 10%
Bibliography / Proposal 20%

Attendance

Attendance at every class is mandatory. I expect students to have completed the readings and be prepared to participate actively in discussion. No unexcused absences.

No class absence, except in cases of illness, or family emergency. Please inform me in advance.

Extensions

No extensions are given except in cases of illness or family emergencies.

Calendar

WEEK # TOPICS KEY DATES
1 Introduction

Film: Slaying the Dragon
 
I: Images and Counter-Images
2 Early Immigration / Early Images  
3 Early Asian American Cultural Criticism: Cultural Nationalism vs. Feminism  
4 Early Asian American Cultural Criticism: Cultural Nationalism vs. Feminism (cont.)  
II: Contemporary Issues and Activism
5 Between Black and White? Choose groups for final project, brainstorm project ideas
6 Global Capitalism and Labor Migration Library workshop
7 Asian American Activism: Feminist Issues / Queer Issues  
8 Negotiating Gender Ideology in Diasporic Communities

Film: My Son the Fanatic
Project proposals and bibliographies due, proposal presentations

Open workday for group projects
9 Negotiating Gender Ideology in Diasporic Communities (cont.)  
III: Interracial Intimacy and Multiracial Identity
10 Interracial Marriage - Historical Perspectives Contributions to class archive due
11 Contemporary Perspectives / Multiracial Issues

Film: Chasing Daybreak
Articles from class archive
12 Multiracial Issues (cont.) Student presentations
13 Student Presentations Student presentations (cont.)

Open workday for group projects
14 Conclusion Final group projects due, class party