This course examines how film and television have reflected and shaped Asian culture and identity in American history. Through screening of feature films, documentaries, and television shows produced by Asian Americans and non-Asians, we study shifting representations of Asians across historical periods from the 19th century to the present.

How have the movies and TV shaped American conceptions of Asians? How do images of Asians as “coolies,” “yellow peril,” “dragon ladies,” “gooks,” and “model minorities” circulate in American popular culture? Have Hollywood stars like Bruce Lee, Sandra Oh, Ali Wong, and Hasan Minaj broken down stereotypes or created new ones? How have independent filmmakers generated new and more complicated conceptions of Asian American identity and culture?

In this course, you will learn to analyze:
? How American wars, hate crimes, immigration policy and Asian American identity have been influenced by racial stereotypes
? How images of Asian women and interracial romance have shaped American culture
? How the representation of Asian Americans compare to other racial groups

Ethnic groups examined include, but are not limited to, Chinese, Japanese, Filipino, Southeast Asian, Korean, and South Asian Americans.

Course materials include films and videos ranging from silent movies featuring white actors in “yellowface” to recent independent and Hollywood releases. Lecture/readings provide deeper bases for interpretation of film and video content.

Course Requirements:

Course requirements include regular participation, viewing films and videos, completion of readings, written journals, and two exams. Assignments and exams for this course will be asynchronous, to be submitted via Canvas during a designated time frame.

Intended Audience:

This course is accessible to all undergraduate students, and is intended for those with sophomore standing or above. It is open to undergraduates across all departments and programs, including LSA, the Honors Program, the Residential College, as well as students in Film, Television & Media, Theatre, Art and Design, architecture, business, engineering, sciences, etc., especially those who may be considering majoring in American Culture, Ethnic Studies, or minoring in Asian/Pacific Islander American Studies.

Class Format:

For Winter 2022, this class will be taught in a blended format, face-to-face and remotely online. Class sessions may alternate between in-person weekly meetings/lectures with the instructor and synchronous sessions with guest speakers on Zoom and/or viewing films asynchronously online. For remote online sessions, students should have access to the internet with a web camera and microphone. Arrangements can be made if the student has an unreliable internet connection. This course will use Canvas for all asynchronous online components, including uploading readings, assignments, and exams.