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 |