This class will examine an aspect of the Asian-American immigrant and refugee experience: how experiences (such as war and extreme poverty) and cultural practices and beliefs in their former homelands shaped attitudes and courses of action in their new American home. This class is especially timely, given the rising wave of anti-immigrant sentiment. These earlier experiences had profound impacts on the lives not just of first-generation immigrants and refugees, but also their American born children. The course shall focus on the stories of immigrants from China, Japan, and the Philippines, as well as the stories of refugees from war-torn Southeast Asia. Students will study the historical settings triggering departure as well as their adjustment to life in the new land. Finally, students will also write and present a brief work of fiction (flash fiction) written from the perspective of the new arrivals and/or their American-born children.
Anticipated Credit Equivalencies:
4 - Asian-American Literature
Registration
Suitable for all undergraduates