Fall 2013 Courses

ASAM 77. Tattoos in American Popular Culture.
T. Honma, PZ, TR 9:35-10:50 a.m.
This course examines how tattoos are depicted in U.S. popular culture and the meanings and significations that accompany these representations. Through close readings of texts and other visual materials, we will investigate how corporeal difference is constructed with regard to race, class, gender, sexuality, and belonging in the United States.

ASAM 90. Asian American and Multiracial Community Studies.
K. Yep/T. Honma, PZ, TR 12:00-1:10 p.m.
Introduces students to studying and working beside Asian American and Pacific Islander communities through the exploration of the politics of place. Issues to be addressed in the course include ethical considerations of community projects and social topography as it changes in the Asian, Asian American, and Pacific Islander diasporas. Course will be project-based and working with community-based organizations.

ASAM 102. Fieldwork in Asian American Communities (1/2 credit).
K. Yep, PZ, M 6:00-9:00 p.m.
The goals of this class are for students to understand the difference between service-learning and social justice education and to understand the roles of power, privilege, and positionalities in working in partnership with community members. The college students will provide English conversation support or provide coaching one-on-one with adult immigrants who have naturalization exam dates.

ASAM 179D. Mixed Race Experience.
E. O’Brien, HMC, F 1:15-4:00 p.m.
This course looks at Asian American mixed race experience through history, literature, video, film, visual art and contemporary pop culture. We will examine the diversity of Asian American mixed race identities and racial formation and identifications in the United States; gender and sexuality; pervasive stereotypes; family; ethnic and interethnic communities. This class will examine the socio-political implications of mixed race identities and honor the voices of the mixed race communities and cultural expression. Field trips and guest lectures will highlight the vibrant voices and communities active in the Southern California area and beyond.

ASAM 188. Decolonizing Education.
K. Yep, PZ, TR 2:45-4:00 p.m.
This project-based seminar will explore theoretical work on decolonizing education drawing from Asian, Asian American and Pacific Islander scholar/activists. For this upper-division seminar, students should have familiarity with theories of coloniality, intersectionality, and racial formations. Work-load is high. Community teaching. Pre-requisite: One (1) Asian American Studies course.

ASAM 190a/190PO. Asian American Studies Senior Seminar: Applications, Analysis, and Future Directions.
S. Goto, PO, T 1:15-4:00 p.m.
This is the capstone seminar for senior Asian American Studies majors (minors optional). The seminar is designed to bring seniors together to discuss and assess their understanding of Asian American Studies practice and theory at the Claremont Colleges and beyond. We will engage in minor research activities, read & analyze provocative books and articles, and revisit key issues & controversies.

ENGL 180. Asian American Fiction.
W. Liu, SC, TR 9:35-10:50 a.m.
This course will focus on Asian American Fiction and will explore the function of representation (both political and aesthetic) in relation to questions of race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, and class. The course will involve readings in both primary and secondary texts including critical and theoretical work in Asian American studies.

HIST 125AA. Introduction to Asian American History, 1850-Present:
T. Venit-Shelton, CMC, MW 1:15-2:30 p.m.
Survey course examines journeys of Asian immigrant groups (and subsequent American-born generations) as they have settled and adjusted to life in the United States since 1850.  Address issues such as the formation of ethnic communities, labor, role of the state, race relations, and American culture and identity.

HIST 128. Immigration and Ethnicity in America.
H. Barron, HMC, MW 1:15-2:30 p.m.
A study of the experiences of different ethnic groups in the U.S. from the colonial period to the present, which addresses the meanings of cultural diversity in American history.

MUS 126. Music in East Asia and its American Diasporas.
Y. Kang, SC, MW 2:45-4:00 p.m.
This course introduces the “traditional” music of China, Korea, and Japan and explores the ways in which traditional performing arts have been transformed, adapted, and given new meanings in these modern nation-states and the East Asian diasporic communities of the United States.  A survey of these musical traditions will be followed by a closer study of pungmul, kabuki, taiko, Chinese opera, and pansori.

SOC 150AA. Contemporary Asian American Issues.
D. Nakano, PO, R 1:15-4:00 p.m.
Survey of contemporary empirical studies focusing on Asian American experiences in the U.S. and globally; major themes include race, class, gender, sexuality, marriage/family, education, consumption, childhoods, aging, demography, and the rise of transmigration. Readings and other course materials will primarily focus on the period since 1965.