AAS 100 Spring 2014 Syllabus

5/26/2018 AAS 100 Spring 2014 Syllabus

1/9

AAS 100Introduction to sian merican StudiesSpring 2014

(tentative syllabus: the professor reserves the right to change any part of this syllabus)

Instructor: Eunai Shrake, Ph.D. Office: JR 346A (677-2151)

Time: T, R 12:30-1:45 pm, 2:00-3:15 pm. Office Hours: R 3:30-5:00 pm & by appointmentClassroom: SH 321 E-mail: [email protected]

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course provides an overview of Asian American experiences and perspectives. This course

begins with a brief review of the history of Asian Americans, then proceeds to discuss social,cultural, economic, and political issues facing Asian Americans through critical analysis. Some

of the substantive areas covered in this course include assimilation patterns, economicintegration, family and community formation, education, anti-Asian violence, inter-group

conflict, media stereotypes, and political participation. Most of the materials are presented froman interdisciplinary perspective. The course format will be both lecture and discussion.

The first part of each class will be a lecture given by the instructor. The latter part of the class

will be interactive, integrative discussion of the reading, film, and lecture.

REQUIRED TEXTS

1. Shrake & Chen (2012),Asian Pacific American Experiences: Past, Present, and Future

(This book is also available for purchase directly from the publisher at

http://www.kendallhunt.com/shrake/)2. http://www.asian-nation.org(To check articles from this website, go to the website and click

ISSUES menu on the left corner, the title of each article will show up)

In addition to the required texts, I may also assign extra short readings and youtube clips basedon class interests and current events. You will find these extra resources on moodle course

webpage.

Students with disabilitiesmust register with the Center on Disabilities and complete a services

agreement each semester. Students who are approved for test taking accommodations mustprovide an Alternative Testing Form to their faculty member signed by a counselor in the Center

on Disabilities prior to making testing arrangements. The Center on Disabilities is located inBayramian Hall, room 110. Staff can be reached at 818-677-2684.

CLASSROOM POLICY

Be on time. No electronic equipments, such as MP3, I-Pods, cell phone, and laptops while class is in

session.

Show your respect to your class members.


2/9

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

All writing assignments are to be typed with regular margins, double-spaced, and paginated.

No late submission of assignments will be accepted.

Class Participation (10%): This course requires active participation from all class members.

Class participation is based on active participation in class and regular attendance. Activeparticipation is characterized by evidence of preparation, appropriate discussion in class, andparticipation in group activities. Regular attendance is expected, and missing 3 class

sessions without notification & justification will lower the point total by 10%, equivalent to

one letter grade. Should you have to miss class, please let me know beforehand.

Personal Journal (10%): This is a 2-3 page autobiographical writing thatexamines your own

identity development regarding your race and other dimensions of identity. For example,what it means to be belonging to certain racial, ethnic, gender, religious, and cultural

categories such as White, Latino, Asian, Jewish, Moslem, female, or other

identity descriptors? What kind of privilege or challenge has your identity brought to you?

Also reflect on your personal experiences with racism and other forms of prejudice anddiscrimination. How your identity and your life experiences impact your view of society

and people aroundyou?

Guided Reflective Essays (20%): You are expected to write 2 short essays (3-4 pages each) in

which you will be responding to guiding questions posed by the instructor (attached to this

syllabus). These questions are drawn from readings, lectures, and questions raised in classdiscussion. You will be graded on whether or not you addressed the question(s); whether or

not you cited your sources (include a bibliography); and the overall quality of your

argument. You are encouraged to incorporate course readings and your own experiencesin your essay. Any quotes or paraphrased materials should be cited to avoid plagiarism. You

may use any system of citations (e.g., APA, MLA, or the Chicago Style). If you are notfamiliar with citation formats, please consult me or a librarian at Oviatt library.

Community Participation Report (10%): Attend an event of an Asian American group(cultural festival, rally, traditional wedding, religious celebration) ORvisit an Asian

American place (e.g., Chinatown, Koreatown, Little Tokyo, Little Saigon, Little India,

Montrey Park, Manila Town). This does not mean just going to a movie or to a restaurant

with ethnic food. Rather, you need to find an event or a place in which you will be in thecenter of a cultural life of other ethnic group than yours. After you have attended an event

or visited the place, summarize your experience (what you observed, what you did, and

whom you met), and make an analytic evaluation of that experience by applying what you

learned in this course. In this ethnography, I look at1. How well you described what you did and what you observed. Observation shouldinclude physical surroundings (buildings, colors, smells, streets) and happenings ofthe place or the event, cultural interactions between people (vendors, customers,

visitors, attendees, audiences) including cultural mannerism and language use, etc.

2. How well you applied your cultural experiences to class topics and class readings.3. How well you analyzed your experience through the lens of an Asian American

Studies student.


3/9

Mid-term (20%) and Final Exam (30%):All students are required to take two exams.

Mid-term will consist of objective questions (multiple choice, true-false, filling in the

blank.) Final exam will consist of true-false, short answers and one essay question. Theseexams will be drawn from course reading materials, lectures, class discussions, and films.

Study guides will be provided.

Extra Credit: Skit: You may earn up to 3 points by performing a short skit. As a group of 3-4 people,

write a short script and perform it in class (3-5 minutes). Themes of the skit should be

related to the course topics (e.g., AA immigration experience, model minority, AA smallbusiness, educational pressure, AA stereotypes, inter-racial conflict, etc.)

Pop-quizzes: Occasional in-class pop quizzes will be administered to test whether or not you

read the weeks reading materials. They will be given at the beginning of the class and nomake-ups will be allowed.

CSUN Policy on Plagiarism: . . .Cheating or plagiarism in connection with an academic program

at a campus is listed in Section 41301, Title 5, California Code of Regulations, as an offense forwhich a student may be expelled, suspended, or given a less severe disciplinary sanction. . . .

GRADING

Required Components Percent

Attendance/Participation 10Personal Journal 10

Community Participation Report 10

Guided Reflective Essays 20Midterm Quiz 20

Final Exam 30

Total 100

Grading is based on the following scale:

93+ = A 80-82 = B- 67-69 = D+

90-92 = A- 77-79 = C+ 63-66 = D87-89 = B+ 73-76 = C 60-62 = D-

83-86 = B 70-72 = C- 0-59 = F


4/9

Class Schedule and Reading ssignmentsReadings from required texts are assigned as preparation for each class. Readings should be completed priorto

the week for which they are assigned.

Week 1 Who are Asian Americans?

(1/21, 23)Readings:

Shrake & Chen, Chapters 1 & 22013 Statistical Portrait of AAs, Native Hawaiians, and Other Pacific

Islanders http://www.aasc.ucla.edu/cic/stats2013.aspxDemographic Overview of APA: 2012 Census (Moodle course webpage)

Youtube clip: Margaret Cho Talks about Race

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kc6mLwOa2Ig&feature=relatedActivities:Asian American Mysteries, 4 corners game

Week 2 Overview of the Asian American Experience

(1/28, 30)Readings:

Shrake & Chen, Chapter 3Youtube clips: A Brief History of Asians in America, KenjiFort Minor

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hVlSuuaQhs&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Mc0UWpRRF4

Activity: Understanding Privilege in American Society

Week 3 Contemporary Asian Migration: Traversing Borders(2/4,6)

Readings:Shrake & Chen, Chapter 4

Youtube clip: Louis CKBeing White

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TG4f9zR5yzY&feature=youtu.be

Film:My America, or Honk if You Love Buddha

personal journal due

Week 4 Community Construction and Assimilation(2/11, 13)


Chung, Asian Americans in Enclaves-They are not One Community: NewModes of Asian American Settlement (Moodle course webpage)

Kim, James. First Language Attrition: Why My Parents and I dont Speak the

Same Language

http://www.scpr.org/programs/offramp/2012/04/05/25912/first-language-attrition-why-my-

parents-and-i-dont/


5/9

Asian Nation, Ethnic Communities & Enclaves

Film: Anthony BourdainParts Unknown(Koreatown in Los Angeles)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4f6UcTXBZw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6gXTZNmm1w

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUFaI6QDDsI

Activity:Making a living timeline of Key moments in Asian migration

Asian American History Jeopardy game

Week 5 Work and Economic Patterns I

(2/18, 20)


Yes! Organic Markethttp://www.npr.org/2012/07/04/156221004/the-korean-american-story-of-yes-organic-market

Asian Nation, Asian Small Businesses

Film: Another America

Essay #1 Due

Week 6 Work and Economic Patterns II

(2/25, 27)Readings:

Shrake & Chen, Chapter 9, 10Thai Slave Laborers Freed in El Monte become U.S. Citizens

http://alterx.blogspot.com/2008/08/thai-slave-laborers-freed-in-el-monte.html

Youtube Clips: Roy Choi on Kogi, I am Korean American-Work 1 & 2http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/11/roy-choi-on-kogi-korean-a_n_1665229.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obhqbrGFztI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JpuD2A2G7c0

Activity: Gallery Walk(Create your food truck)

Week 7 Education and the Model Minority Myth(3/4, 6)

Readings:Shrake & Chen, Chapters 12, 13, 14

Asian Nation, The Model Minority Image

Youtube clip:Are Asian Students Smarter?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opBfHXePM2Y&feature=related

Activity: Origami fish

Midterm Study list distribution


6/9

Week 8 Media Presentation and Stereotypes of Asian Americans(3/11, 13)

Readings:

Shrake & Chen, Chapters 15, 16

Film: Slaying the DragonYoutube clips: (William Hung) (Name as Many AA Actors) (Lucy Liu)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UpiomymNivY(Lucy Liu)http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1112o_william-hung-she-bangs_fun

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bo-Y_Vb0wsw&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9FTCpeuJyA (Name as many AA actors)

http://vejiicakes.livejournal.com/254810.html(History of Yellowfacing)

Week 9 Mid-Term (Tuesday in class)(3/ 18, 20) no class on Thursday (3/20)

Week 10 Second Generation, Culture Conflict, and Ethnic Identity

(3/25, 27)Readings:

Shrake & Chen, Chapters 17, 18

Asian Nation, Asian American Gangs

Youtube clip: I am Korean American: Identity 1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePDwLiU8udEYoutube clip: Gene Yang, American Born Chinesehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FYCZqt5WSOM

Youtube clip: Caught between two cultures (Canadian Aborigines)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORog_-2ovz8Film: Kelly Loves Tony

http://www.pbs.org/pov/kellylovestony/full.php#.Ug4KeYVRFe4

Activity: Circle of Multicultural Self

Essay #2 due

Week 11 Intermarriage and Mutiracial Identity(4/1, 3)

Readings:Shrake & Chen, Chapters 21, 22

Hidalgo & Bankston, Blurring Racial and Ethnic Boundaries in Asian American

Families: Asian American Family Patterns, 1980-2005 (Moodle webpage)Asian-Nation, Interracial Dating & Marriage


7/9

Youtube clip: I am Korean American: Biracial Identity

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-Dd3ZyJKM8

Film: All American Girl : Mom, Dad, This is Kyle(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4Q8HhKT3MY)

Week 12 Spring Recess(4/8, 10)

Week 13 & 14 Inter-group Relations and Inter-Racial Conflict: LA Riots(4/15, 22, 24) (No class on 4/17, Instructor will be in AAAS conference)

Readings:

Shrake & Chen, Chapter 24

Youtube clip: Dont be a Menace

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STTvxw1Ra0Q

Youtube clip: LA Riots Documentaryhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uI3QSxbl3R0

Film: Clash of Colors

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=An8LJ_fv0mo

Community Participation Report due

Week 15 Racism and Anti-Asian Violence(4/29, 5/1)

Readings:Shrake & Chen, Chapters 25, 26

Kang, Racial Violence against Asian Americans (Moodle course webpage)Asian Nation, Anti-Asian Racism & Violence

Film: Who Killed Vincent Chin?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6MiHqj5QBAU

final study list distribution

Week 16 Politics and Political Participation(5/6, 8)

Readings:

Shrake & Chen, Chapter 29

Why did AAs vote for Obama?http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/view_from_chicago/2012/11/why_did_asian_a

mericans_vote_for_president_obama.htmlwww.asian-nation.org, Participating in Politics

MBCnews clip: Asian American votes could impact

http://video.msnbc.msn.com/msnbc/49314009#49314009

Youtube clip: Koreatown 20 Years After (LA City Council Districting)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHApvRPZ2YI&feature=related


8/9

Final Exam 12:30-1:45 class : May 15, 12:45-2:45 pm

2:00-3:15 class: May 15, 3:00-5:00 pm

Essay Questions

Essay #1 Asian Americans had been excluded from entering the U.S. for more than half a

Century through the litany of anti-Asian immigration legislation passed in theyears (1882, 1917, 1924, 1934) leading up to WWII. How did the 1965

Immigration Act (Hart-Cellar Act) change this situation? Why have so many

well-educated Asians immigrated into the U.S. after the passage of this act? Towhat extent will Asian immigrants continue to enter the U.S. in the 21

stcentury?

Drawing upon evidence presented in the course reading (Fong's chapter), make a

case that Asian immigrants will continue to come in a steady pace to the U.S., orslow down significantly, or halt altogether.

Essay #2 Critical media scholars have argued that the mainstream media has symbolicallyannihilated the images of Asian Americans from their early presence in the U.S.

Discuss the ways in which the images and stories of Asian Americans have been

distorted or rendered invisible by the mainstream film, television, and the news.What are the main media stereotypes of Asian American males and females?

Where did these stereotypes come from? Why do they continue? What can be

done to lessen stereotypical portrayals of Asian Americans in the media?


9/9

Guidelines for Community Participation Report

This assignment is community ethnography (participant observation). You are supposed toparticipate and observe either an Asian American place or an Asian American event. Describe

and analyze your experience utilizing your knowledge of Asian Americans you learned in thisclass. This assignment counts toward 10% of your final grade. Please be prepared to discuss

your experience during class.

PlacePick a place where you see Asian America. This place may be somewhere close to you or

somewhere far away. If you wish, use the following questions to structure your report.

1. Where is the place you have chosen?

2. What makes it "Asian"?

3. What makes it "American"?4. Who belongs in this place?

5. Why do they belong here?

6. How do they interact with each other?

7. Do you feel like you belong in this place? Why or why not?

EventPick an Asian American event. The event you choose should have occurred recently. If you

wish, use the following questions to structure your report.

1. What is the event you have chosen?

2. What makes it "Asian"?3. What makes it "American"?4. Who participates in this event?

5. Why do they participate?

6. How do they interact with each other?7. Do you feel like you may join in this event? Why or why not?

AAS 100 Spring 2014 Syllabus

Documents

Transcript of AAS 100 Spring 2014 Syllabus