Fall 2003

This information effective for Fall 2003. Check with instructor the first day of class for any changes.

American Studies

[AMST-080C]

80C. Introduction to Asian American Studies

TTh 2:00–3:45 p.m.
College Eight 240

Instructor: Judy Yung (yung@ucsc.edu)
Office: Oakes 207, 459-4725
Office hours: Wed, 3:00–4:30 p.m. or by appt.

TA: Emily Moberg (emoberg@ucsc.edu)

Course Description:

This course introduces students to the history, politics, and culture of Asian Americans (primarily the Chinese, Japanese, Koreans, Filipinos, Asian Indians, Vietnamese, Laotians, and Cambodians) since their arrival in the mid-19th century to present day. Each Asian ethnic group is different in terms of their respective histories and cultures, but they share a common legacy of discrimination and exclusion as "Orientals" in their quest to make a home for themselves in America. To understand the diversity and complexity of who Asian Americans are, we will study their past and present, high points and low points, and similarities and differences. Specifically, we will be looking at their immigration and settlement patterns within a global context; World War II as a watershed for all groups, but particularly Japanese Americans; family relations and multiple identities in relations to race, gender, culture, and nationality; and group efforts to resist discrimination and attain political empowerment, cultural equality, and social justice for all. Students should come away from this course with a better understanding of how socioeconomic and political developments in the United States as well as U.S. neocolonialism and global capitalism have shaped the lives of Asian Americans and, in turn, how Asian Americans have also influenced U.S. history and society.

Reading List

1. Ronald Takaki, Strangers from a Different Shore: A History of Asian Americans (1998 ed.)
   
2. Helen Zia, Asian American Dreams: The Emergence of an American People
   
3. John Okada, No-No Boy
   
4. Yen Le Espiritu, Home Bound: Filipino American Lives Across Cultures, Communities, and Countries
   
5. Readings on electronic reserve at McHenry Library (password = AMST80C)

(All books are available at Bay Tree Bookstore and on reserve at McHenry Library.)

Course Requirements:

• Attendance and engaged participation in class (20% of grade)
  
• Midterm exam 10/30/03 (40% of grade)
  
• 8-10 page research paper due 12/9/03 (40% of grade)

Course Website: http://ic.ucsc.edu/~yung/amst80c

This course website will provide outlines for lectures that will be posted before the class meets. Students are encouraged to print these outlines and bring them to class. The website will also have details on the midterm exam and research paper. Students can also use the website to obtain e-reserve reading and to send messages to the instructor.

Schedule of Topics, Films, and Reading Assignments:

(Be sure to complete reading assignments before lecture dates. All films will be shown in class that day and will be on reserve at McHenry Library for the remainder of the quarter.)