curriculum

Asian American Studies: Hawaii
Pacific Islander Communities

July 5 - August 9, 2008

AsianAm-Hawaii Curriculum

Curriculum

All courses are 4 quarter units each.

Required Courses:
Asian American Studies 143C: Asian Pacific American Communities in Hawai'i: Field Studies
Instructor: Roderick N. Labrador

This course combines the conceptual study of multiculturalism in Hawai'i with practical fieldwork and experience. Students in this course will learn about multiculturalism in Hawai'i and how it relates to representations of Hawai'i and Native Hawaiian history, society, and sovereignty. In class, students will present research on some aspect of multiculturalism in Hawai'i and conduct fieldwork outside of class that serves as the data for group projects.

Choose one of the following:
Asian American Studies 143A: Asian Pacific Communities in Hawai'i: Critical Issues Past and Present
Instructor: Jonathan Y. Okamura

This course is concerned with the continuing construction, expression and persistence of ethnic identity in various cultural forms and social contexts throughout the contemporary world. Recent examples abound including in the Middle East, the Philippines, and here in Hawai'i. In addition, the course examines individual and group problems of identity, identity conflict, cultural conflict, and inter-ethnic relations.

Asian American Studies 187D: Immigration and Multiculturalism in Hawai'i (course number subject to change)
Instructor: Roderick N. Labrador

In popular and academic discourse, Hawai'i is fabled for its multicultural “racial paradise” and perceived harmonious race and ethnic relations. But how did this “racial paradise” develop? This course critically explores the development of Hawai'i’s contemporary multicultural and multiethnic social formation. In addition, the course examines how Hawai'i's multiculturalism relates to representations of Hawai'i and Native Hawaiian history, culture, and society.

Optional Course:
Asian American Studies 199: Directed Research (requires instructor consent)

You may earn independent study units by writing an academically rigorous 10-15 page paper (in addition to the paper and projects for 120A, 187C, or 187D and 120B). The final project is due by September 9. Please note that these dates apply even if you plan to travel after the program ends. There is an additional fee for this independent study course.

Grading

Grades are based on attendance, class participation, journals, a mid-term examination and a final examination. The instructor reserves the right to vary this format.

Schedule

All schedules, itineraries, and group activities are subject to change at the discretion of the instructor.

Daily Schedule

Lecture: M, T, W, Th, F, 9:00 a.m. -10:15 a.m.

Field Studies: M, W 10:30 a.m.-11:45 a.m.

Field Trips: T, Th, and some Saturdays 10:30 a.m. -3:00 p.m.

Discussion Section (Field Studies): F, 10:30 a.m. -11:45 a.m.

Classes generally do not meet on Saturdays or Sundays.

Field trips will possibly include: museums, cultural festivals and shows, cultural and historical walking tours, visits to community centers, taro and aqua culture farms.

Textbooks

You are responsible for purchasing your own textbooks. All course materials will be available in Hawai'i.