SOCJ 1150 - Living on the Edge: The Asian American Experience

Goals: To familiarize students with various Asian American communities, their origins and immigration to the United States, current conditions in Asian American communities and the challenges they face.

Content: We will learn about Asian immigrants and refugees, read Asian American literature, experience Asian American art and meet members of the local Asian American community. Among the topics we will discuss are stereotype (such as the “model minority”), the role of women in the Asian American community, racism (including the American concentration camps) and assimilation. Students examine the role of cultural heritage in how one views oneself, one’s own ethnic group, and community cultures.

Prerequisites: None.

Credits: 4 credits