[Grad_history_students] History 384-302 Spring 2004

[Judy Ossello]

TOPICS IN AMERICAN HISTORY: THE ASIAN IMMIGRANT EXPERIENCE, 1800-1965

(History 384 Section 302 Spring 2004; Prerequisite Hst 199 or instructor =
consent; Instructor: Ling Arenson) =20
     =20
This course focuses on the history of Asian immigrants and their citizen   =
descendants in the United States from the early nineteenth century to =
1965=97a century and half of survival and struggle that culminated in a =
major transformation in the national immigration and naturalization =
policies of the United States in 1965.=20

The major groups covered include Chinese, Filipino, Japanese, Korean, and =
South Asian immigrants as well as the heterogeneity within the various =
ethnic communities.  It deals with the following broad themes: causes and =
processes of migration, responses from American society, and experience of =
immigration. Specific topics for discussion include global context of =
Asian migration, settlement patterns, immigration laws and policy, =
orientalism, racialization, racism, ethnic communities and identities =
(including multiracial and transracial identities), meaning of citizenship,=
 gender roles/stereotypes, class, family, and Asian Americans in American =
popular culture. =20

Through lectures, reading of both primary and secondary sources, and other =
multi-media approaches, the course hopes to challenge students to take a =
fresh perspective and a critical look into the familiar history of our =
nation based on the unfamiliar and often neglected story of Asian =
Americans.  Get ready for an enriching and engaging cross-cultural and =
transnational revelation of American history.