Academic Catalogs

ETHS G137: Introduction to Asian American and Pacific Islander Studies

Course Outline of Record
Item Value
Curriculum Committee Approval Date 11/19/2024
Top Code 220300 - Ethnic Studies
Units 3 Total Units 
Hours 54 Total Hours (Lecture Hours 54)
Total Outside of Class Hours 0
Course Credit Status Credit: Degree Applicable (D)
Material Fee No
Basic Skills Not Basic Skills (N)
Repeatable No
Open Entry/Open Exit No
Grading Policy Standard Letter (S), 
  • Pass/No Pass (B)
Local General Education (GE)
  • Area 4 Social and Behavioral Sciences (GD)
Diversity Requirement (GCD) Yes
California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC)
  • Cal-GETC 4 Social & Behavioral Sciences (4)
Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC)
  • IGETC 4 Social&Behavioral Sci (4)

Course Description

This course is the study of Asian and Pacific Islander American (APIA) histories, cultures, and social experiences in the United States, with a focus on critical theories and contemporary approaches. Emphasizing a thematic exploration of race, ethnicity, gender, and class, the course examines the impact of imperialism, colonialism, and resistance movements, and integrates academic community-based scholarship to understand APIA contributions and struggles within a border socio-political context. Transfer Credit: CSU; UC.

Course Level Student Learning Outcome(s)

  1. Course Outcomes
  2. Apply theory and knowledge produced by Asian Pacific Islander American artists, authors, and community members to describe the critical events, histories, cultures, intellectual traditions, contributions, lived-experiences, and social struggles with a particular emphasis on agency and group-affirmation.
  3. Evaluate the intersection of race, ethnicity, class, gender, sexuality, immigration, and additional social identities within APIA communities, using an intersectional approach to understand how these identities influence experience of oppression and strategies for liberation.
  4. Evaluate the impact of decolonization efforts within APIA communities, considering both historical and contemporary examples to assess their effectiveness in challenging colonial legacies and advancing justice and empowerment.
  5. Examine major themes of racism, racialization, anti-Asian sentiment, ethnicity, white supremacy, liberation, decolonization and anti-racism through the application of local contexts and personal experiences.

Course Objectives

  • 1. Describe and actively engage with anti-racisst and anti-colonial issues and practices and movements in Asian American and Pacific Islander communities to build a just and equitable society.
  • 2. Explain and assess how struggle, resistance, racial and social justice, solidarity, and liberation, as experienced, enacted, and studied by Asian American and Pacific Islander communities are relevant to current and structural issues such as communal, national, international, and transnational politics as, for example, in immigration, reparations, multiculturalism, and language policies.
  • 3. Examine the relationship between cultural identity and social movements, focusing on how APIA individuals and communities navigate and resist systemic oppression.
  • 4. Examine key moments of decolonization resistance and activism within APIA communities, evaluating their impact on both local and global scales.
  • 5. Analyze the development of community and solidarity within APIA movements, emphasizing the strategies used to foster collective empowerment.
  • 6. Critically reflect on personal positions within society, identifying ways to contribute to ongoing struggles for liberation and justice through personal and collective action.
  • 7. Engage in critical praxis, applying Ethnic Studies principles to current and past lived experiences.
  • 8. Apply strategies for community-based action and advocacy.
  • 9. Analyze and articulate concepts such as race and racism, racialization, anti-Asian sentiment, ethnicity, white supremacy, liberation, decolonization, and anti-racism as analyzed in Asian American and Pacific Islander studies.
  • 10. Critically analyze the intersection of race and racism as they relate to class, gender, sexuality, religion, spirituality, national origin, immigration status, ability, tribal citizenship, sovereignty, language, and or/age in Asian American and Pacific Islander communities.

Lecture Content

Birth of Asian American Studies and its Purpose Origin in student movements and community activism for liberation Third World Liberation Front strikes of the 1960s Goals of empowerment, decolonization, and community representation The Establishment of an Identity Formation of a collective identity as a decolonial act Intersectionality of race, ethnicity, and nationality Resisting colonial stereotypes and asserting community agency Theoretical Frameworks Theories of race, ethnicity, nationality, and class Theories of gender and sexuality Decolonization, liberation, agency, belonging, community identity formation The Immigration of Asian and Pacific Islanders: A Historical Overview Chinese immigration and settlement Economic and political situation in China Discovery of gold in California and Chinese employment in the U.S. Impact of Chinese Exclusion on community identity and resistance Japanese immigration and settlement Economic and political situation in Japan Japanese immigration to Hawaii and the U.S. mainland Employment in rural and urban areas in the U.s. Internment resistance and post-war reparations Filipino immigration and settlement The Spanish-American War and legacies of colonialism Immigration of Filipinos and labor in the U.S. Labor movement involvement Delano Grape Strike South Asian immigration and settlement British colonization of India and its impact on migration Indian immigration to the U.S. and labor dynamics Colonial Resistance Ghada r Movement and transnational participation South East Asian immigration and settlement Colonial impact on migration Immigration to the U.S. and labor dynamics Resistance movements Korean immigration and settlement Economic and political situation in Korea Korean labor in the United States and Korean War Community agency and U.S. imperialism Middle-Eastern and Arab immigration and settlement Economic and political situation in the Middle-East 9/11, War on Terror, and community identity development Engagement in civil rights and anti-discrimination activism Pacific Islands Colonization, labor, tourism, and environmental degradation Decolonial strategies and resistance to U.S. influence Community efforts for sovereignty and cultural preservation Anti-Asian Bias/Violence in American Society Xenophobia, nationalism, and homonationalism Vincent Chin Impact of COVID-19 political rhetoric Anti-Asian sentiments The Chinese Exclusion Movement and related legislation Japanese internment and community resilience Liberation movements challenging systemic oppression Asian and Pacific Islander American Resistance The Asian American Movement and Yellow Power Multi-ethnic coalitions and student movements from community liberation Unionization and labor activism as acts of community resistance Challenging myths "Model Minority" and "Yellow Peril" Decolonial resistance and empowerment strategies Involvement in the Civil Rights Movement and cross-racial solidarity Lary Itliong 21st century activism Stop Asian Hate Decolonization Understanding the impact of colonization on APIA communities Strategies for reclaiming cultural identity and history Community-led initiatives for cultural preservation Decolonial education and its role in empowering communities The role of art, literature, and media in decolonization efforts Popular Culture, Art, and Literature Representation of APIA communities in media and entertainment Contributions of APIA artists, writers, and performers Literature and storytelling as a means of preserving history and identity Critiques of stereotyping and cultural appropriation in mainstream media The rise of independent APIA media and cultural productions Asian and Pacific Islanders in the Current American Social and Political Experience Evolution of race, ethnicity, and identity External and internal perspectives on experiences Hate crimes, anti-Asian violence, and neo-colonialism Multi-ethnic and multi-racial realities and the quest for community liberation Participation in contemporary movements Anti-Immigration resistance Stop Asian Hate Movements The Future of Asian and Pacific Islander Americans Demographic shifts and identity evolution Political and social engagement Cultural preservation and innovation Advancements in education and technology Visioning a decolonized future

Method(s) of Instruction

  • Lecture (02)
  • DE Live Online Lecture (02S)
  • DE Online Lecture (02X)

Reading Assignments

Textbooks: students may explore foundational theories and concepts in Asian Pacific Islander American Studies, providing a framework for analyzing and interpreting additional course material. Qualitative and quantitative studies: by examining statistical data and in-depth interviews or observations, students may evaluate the complexities of Asian Pacific Islander American communities, enabling them to apply APIA produced knowledge and theory to a variety of lived experiences. Case studies: students may analyze personal, community based, and broader APIA societal concerns and scenarios to understand how APIA produced knowledge and theories apply to various aspects of the APIA community. Primary texts and literature: students may explore foundational experiences, concepts, and reflections through the evaluation of texts produced by APIA community members. APIA and Ethnic Studies Journals: students may explore foundational concepts and experiences through recent academic contributions. Online content and social media posts: students may engage with contemporary online content and critically evaluate popular discourses on APIA communities.

Writing Assignments

Research paper: students may conduct independent research on a current event, historical event, location of importance, social movement, or person of importance within APIA studies and communities, synthesizing theoretical concepts with empirical evidence. Reflection papers: students may conduct personal reflections on a current event, historical event, location of importance, social movement, or person of importance within APIA studies as it relates to themselves, their family, or their community. Oral History Reflection: students may conduct an interview with an APIA community member, analyze their narrative in the context of APIA studies themes and movements, reflecting on a deeper, communal understanding of social issues and community experiences. Exam essays and short responses: students may demonstrate their understanding and application of APIA produced knowledge and theory to analyze and interpret various scenarios and case studies. Discussion boards: students may engage in online dialogue with peers, discussing course topics, sharing insights, and applying APIA produced knowledge and theory to analyze historical and contemporary issues.

Out-of-class Assignments

Preparatory readings: students may engage with assigned readings to prepare for in-class discussions and assessments. Community Engagement: students may engage and interact with local activists and leaders in the community to localize their applied knowledge of experiences within the APIA community. Historical/Cultural Site Visits: students may visit historical and cultural sites relevant to APIA communities to deepen their understanding of the community s vast experiences and heritage. Museum Visits: students may visit museums featuring exhibitions on APIA communities to enrich their understanding of the community s history and cultural contributions. Community Events and Performances: students may attend community events and performances that highlight APIA experiences, allowing them to engage with the community s cultural expressions and traditions. Reflection assignments: through reflective written, oral, or visual communication, students may connect their lived experiences or community observations to course content and theories. Research paper: students may produce a research paper on a selected topic, applying theoretical frameworks to analyze empirical data and prepare for in-class presentations.

Demonstration of Critical Thinking

Critical thinking may be assessed through a variety of assignments and engagement with course materials that allow students to analyze and interpret complex societal dynamics from an APIA perspective. In-class discussion, informed by preparatory readings, allow students to apply theoretical frameworks to real-world scenarios, personal reflections, and community engagement, fostering critical analysis and debate. Out-of-class assignments, such as reflection papers and research projects, and community engagement prompt students to connect APIA produced knowledge and theories to their lived experiences and conduct independent inquiries into contemporary and historical issues. Exam essays, online discussion boards, and reflection assignments serve as platforms for students to articulate and defend their perspectives and analysis, engage in dialogue with peers, and critically evaluate different viewpoints.

Required Writing, Problem Solving, Skills Demonstration

Students may engage in essays, oral history reflections, and personal reflections that serve as a platform for them to critically analyze and synthesize course materials, applying APIA produced knowledge and theories to real-world scenarios and contemporary issues within APIA communities and experiences. Visual and oral assessments provide opportunities for students to creatively express their understanding and problem-solving skills through presentations, multimedia projects, or debates, showcasing their ability to communicate complex ideas effectively. Multiple choice assessments evaluate students' comprehension of foundational concepts and their ability to apply sociological theories to different contexts, requiring them to demonstrate their analytical and problem-solving skills.

Eligible Disciplines

Ethnic studies: Master's degree in the ethnic studies field OR a master's degree in American studies/ethnicity, Latino studies, La Raza Studies, Central American studies, Latin American studies, cross cultural studies, race and ethnic relations, Asian-American studies, or African-American studies OR the equivalent OR see interdisciplinary studies. Master's degree required.

Textbooks Resources

1. Required Lee, E. The Making of Asian America (Classic), 1st ed. New York: Simon Schuster Paperbacks, 2016 Rationale: classic 2. Required Revoyr, N. Southland (Classic), 1st ed. Akashic Books, Ltd., 2003 Rationale: Classic. 3. Required Lee, E. America for Americans: A History of Xenophobia in the United States (Classic), 1st ed. Basic Books, 2019 Rationale: Classic 4. Required Zhao, X., Park, E.J.W. Asian Americans: An Encyclopedia of Social, Cultural, Economic, and Political History (Classic), ed. Greenwood, 2013 Rationale: Classic. 5. Required Azuma, E., Yoo, D.K. The Oxford Handbook of Asian American History (Oxford Handbooks)(Classic), 1st ed. Oxford University Press, 2016 Rationale: Classic. 6. Required Cheng, C.I. The Routledge Handbook of Asian American Studies (Routledge Handbooks)(Classic), 1st ed. Routledge, 2019 Rationale: Classic. 7. Required Choy, C.C. Asian American Histories of the United States (ReVisoning History), 1st ed. Beacon Press, 2022 8. Required Ling, H. Asian American History (Asian American Studies Today), 1st ed. Rutgers University Press, 2023 9. Required Wong, K.S. Schuland-Vials C.J., Chang, J.O. Asian America: A Primary Source Reader (Classic), 1st ed. Yale University Press, 2017 Rationale: Classic. 10. Required Wu, J.Y.S., Thomas, C.C., Lee, R.G., Okihiro, G.Y., Zia, D.L., Engl, S.H., et al.. Asian American Studies Now (Classic), 1st ed. Rutgers University Press, 2010 Rationale: Classic. 11. Required Camacho, K.L. Reppin: Pacific Islander Youth and Native Justice, 1st ed. Seattle: University of Washington Press, 2021 12. Required Camacho, K.L. Sacred Men: Law, Torture, and Retribution in Guam (Classic), 1st ed. Duke University Press, 2019 Rationale: Classic. 13. Required Chiang, M. The Cultural Capital of Asian American Studies Autonomy and Representation in the University (Classic), 1st ed. New York: New York University Press, 2009 Rationale: Classic. 14. Required Danico, M.Y., Ng, F.. Asian American Issues (Classic), 1st ed. Westport: Greenwood Press, 2004 Rationale: Classic. 15. Required Ono, K.A. Asian American Studies after Critical Mass (Classic), 1st ed. Malden: Blackwell Publishing, 2005 Rationale: Classic. 16. Required San Francisco State University, Asian American Studies Department. At 40: Asian American Studies @ San Francisco State: Self-Determination, Community, Student Service (Classic), 1st ed. San Francisco State University, 2009 Rationale: Classic.

Other Resources

1. Instructor prepared materials. 2. Ethnic studies journals. 3. Asian Pacific Islander American Studies Journals. 4. Digital Public Library of America Early Chinese Immigration to the U.S. 5. Digital Public Library of America Japanese American Internment During World War II