21H.153J / SP.421J / WMN.421J Race and Gender in Asian America, Fall 2002

In this seminar we will examine various issues related to the intersection of race and gender in Asian America, starting with the nineteenth century and working our way up to the present. 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 feminism and ethnic nationalism, gay and lesbian identity, class and labor issues, domestic violence, and the "cultural defense." The study of Asian Americans in film will form a significant component of this course. The class will require a final group project of 20-40 pages (depending on group size). In addition, there will be brief oral presentations and writing assignments during the course of the semester, and a bibliography project.