Course Outline for Ethnic Studies 10
Introduction to Asian American Studies

Effective: Fall 2017
SLO Rev: 09/11/2019
Catalog Description:

ES 10 - Introduction to Asian American Studies

3.00 Units

(See also SOCI 10 )
An examination of the experiences and perspectives of Asian Americans from mid-1800's to the present. Major topics will include immigration, law, citizenship, racialization, colonialism, imperialism, war, family, political involvement, social movements, education, and employment. Provides a comparative context for understanding the panethnic movement. May not receive credit if SOCI 10 has been completed.
2203.00 - Ethnic Studies
Optional
Type Units Inside of Class Hours Outside of Class Hours Total Student Learning Hours
Lecture 3.00 54.00 108.00 162.00
Total 3.00 54.00 108.00 162.00
Measurable Objectives:
Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to:
  1. describe the impact of exclusionary immigration laws on shaping the early Asian American demographic;
  2. identify the major Asian American communities, their current demographics, and push and pull reasons for immigration;
  3. explain the role racism and xenophobia played in Asian American community development and compare with other ethnic/racial group experiences;
  4. explain the primary issues facing Asian Americans in general and subgroups in particular;
  5. compare and contrast the experiences of Asian Americans and other U.S. minorities;
  6. identify Asian American participation in U.S. institutions;
  7. describe the stereotypes and imagery of Asian Americans;
  8. compare and contrast various ways Asian Americans lead and participate in social change movements and political empowerment;
  9. discuss future trends of Asian Americans.
Course Content:
  1. Asian Americans in the United States pre-1965
    1. Immigration patterns (early Chinese, Japanese, Filipino, Korean, Asian Indian)
    2. Major Political and Economic Policies Impact on Asian Americans (WWII and Japanese Mass Incarceration, Cold War politics, Militarism in Asia)
  2. Immigration and Nationalism
    1. 1790 Naturalization Law
    2. 1882 Chinese Exclusion Laws
  3. Asian Americans in the United States post-1965
    1. 1965 Immigration Act
    2. US role in Vietnam War and Southeast Asian Refugees
  4. Ethnic Enclaves
  5. Family & Religion
    1. Gender roles
    2. Intergenerational conflict
    3. Intermarriage
    4. Transnational/Transracial Adoption
  6. Gender & Sexuality
  7. Model Minority Stereotype and Education
    1. Underrepresented Asian Americans
  8. Work and Social Class
    1. Labor movements & workers’ rights
    2. Poverty & welfare
    3. Glass/bamboo ceiling
    4. Gendered labor
  9. Racism and anti-Asian Violence
    1. Vincent Chin
    2. Anti-Muslim and Anti-Sikh violence in post 9/11 era
  10. Political Participation & Social Movements
  11. Media representations
  12. Identities
    1. Ethnic identity vs. Panethnic identity
Methods of Instruction:
  1. Class and group discussions
  2. Community activities/civic engagement projects
  3. Group Presentations
  4. Lecture/Discussion
  5. Written assignments
  6. Research project
Assignments and Methods of Evaluating Student Progress:
  1. Oral history interview: interview a relative or Asian American community member. Base questions on major themes related to class such as immigration, war, assimilation, resistance, work, or family. Write a reflection essay on the interview process, the interviewee’s life story, and compare and contrast their story with readings from class, analyzing patterns of racialization, settlement, immigration, work, or family.
  2. Essay prompts such as: compare the racialization and immigration process of first wave Chinese, Japanese, Filipino, Korean, or Asian Indian Americans; identify the key factors in the formation of Asian American communities before WWII ; analyze how wars have impacted the Asian American community, including WWII, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and Post-911 era and policies/Iraq War & Afghanistan War.
  3. Research project: select a topic with the approval of the instructor; write a five-page paper including a bibliography of no less than 5 books/journal articles (must include both sources), using MLA style.
  4. Project: interview a staff member from an Asian American Community based organization. Write a short paper explaining the purpose of the organization, population served, community issues, services provided.
  5. In class group exercise/discussion: survey the portrayal of Asian Americans in the local/national press over a one month period, bringing pertinent articles or news items to class. In groups, analyze the content of the articles answering the questions: is there a consistent portrayal of Asian Americans in the media? What are the current Asian American issues/problems identified by the media? Do the articles reinforce any stereotypes and if so are the stereotypes positive or negative?
  1. Exams/Tests
  2. Projects
  3. Class Participation
  4. Final Examination
  5. Homework
  6. Assigned activities
Upon the completion of this course, the student should be able to:
  1. Analyze significant social issues within various Asian American communities.
  2. Learn about the diversity among Asian groups.
  3. Understand the immigration experience of these groups.
Textbooks (Typical):
  1. Zhou M. and Gatewood, J.V. (Eds.) (2007). Contemporary Asian America: A Multidisciplinary Reader (2nd). NYU Press.
  2. Lee, S.S-H (2014). A New History of Asian America Routledge.
  3. Zhou, M. and Ocampo, A.C. (Eds.) (2016). Contemporary Asian American (3rd). NYPress.
Abbreviated Class Schedule Description:
An examination of the experiences and perspectives of Asian Americans from mid-1800's to the present. Major topics will include immigration, law, citizenship, racialization, colonialism, imperialism, war, family, political involvement, social movements, education, and employment. Provides a comparative context for understanding the panethnic movement. May not receive credit if ES 10 has been completed. May not receive credit if SOCI 10 has been completed.