Fall 2016

Professor Anantha Sudhakar

Email: sudhakar@sfsu.edu
Office: EP 426
Office hours: T 9:45-10:45 am
AAS 216: INTRODUCTION TO ASIAN AMERICAN LITERATURE
This course offers a brief introduction to Asian American literature, covering a range of classic
works that defined the emergence of the field, as well as more contemporary texts that introduce
new ways of thinking about Asian American identity and experience.
We will engage our course readings using two main analytical approaches. First, we will
consider the historical and political contexts in which our texts were composed, paying special
attention to issues of race, immigration and public policy. Second, we will use close reading
analysis to consider the ways our texts themselves theorize and re-imagine Asian and American
histories, cultures and politics. Adopting this approach will allow us to develop an
interdisciplinary understanding of Asian Americas diverse poetic and narrative traditions. When
relevant, assigned texts will be supplemented by in-class film screenings or additional short
readings.
REQUIRED TEXTS:
Island: Poetry and History of Chinese Immigrants at Angel Island, 1910-1940, 2nd edition (2014)
Fae Myenne Ng, Bone (1993)
Julie Otsuka, When the Emperor Was Divine (2003)
Gene Luen Yang, American Born Chinese (2008)
Patricia Park, Re Jane (2015)
Critical essays and some primary texts will be available on iLearn as downloadable PDF
documents. These items are marked with an asterisk (*) on the syllabus.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
Participation (10%)
Because this class is discussion-based, its important that you attend class on time, complete
assignments and actively engage in class discussion.
Literary Analysis Essay (20%)
Complete a short essay (3-5 pages) analyzing a theme from one or two of our readings in detail.
We will practice the art of literary analysis early in the semester, so you will be familiar with this
skill by the time this essay is due. You will submit this essay online at our course iLearn page.

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Midterm Exam (20%)
This exam will consist of multiple-choice questions and short identifications based on assigned
readings and class lectures.
Angel Island Project (20%)
The first month of our semester will be devoted to studying poetry and fiction that was inspired
by the Angel Island immigration station. You will work in groups to create a lesson plan about
Angel Island poetry for Bay Area elementary school students. Some of these lesson plans may
actually be implemented in area schools, as part of a community-based partnership with the
Angel Island Immigration Station Foundation.
Final Exam (30%)
This cumulative exam will consist of multiple-choice questions, identifications and a short essay
based on assigned readings and class lectures.
Grading
Participation:
Close reading essay
Midterm Exam:
Angel Island Project:
Final Exam:
Final Grade

10%
20%
20%
20%
30%
100%

Late Policy: Students who arrive to class more than 5 minutes late will be marked absent. You
are permitted one absence over the course of the semester.

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CLASS SCHEDULE

Come to class having read the assigned text listed next to each date.
An asterisk (*) indicates readings that can be found on our iLearn course page.

PART I: Reimagining History

Th

8/25: Introduction: The Fiction of Asian American Literature

8/30: *Sui Sin Far, Mrs. Spring Fragrance (1910)

Th

9/1:

*Carlos Bulosan, Life and Death of a Filipino in America

9/6:

WORKSHOP: Close Reading Analysis

Th

9/8:

GUEST SPEAKER: Grant Din (Angel Island Immigration Station Foundation)

Island: Poetry and History of Chinese Immigrants on Angel Island, pages 8-30

9/13: Island, selected poems (to be announced)

Th

9/15: WORKSHOP: Angel Island Project

9/20: Fae Myenne Ng, Bone

Th

9/22: Ng, Bone

9/27: *Ocean Vuong, Toy Boat, DetoNation

*Dear Mom, Dad, Uncle, Auntie

Th

9/29: IN-CLASS SCREENING: Rea Tajiri, History and Memory (1991)

CLOSE READING ESSAY DUE

10/4: Julie Otsuka, When the Emperor Was Divine (2003) (1-105)

Th

10/6: Otsuka, When the Emperor Was Divine (2003) (106-144)

10/11: WORKSHOP: AI Group Project Work Day

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Th

10/13: WORKSHOP: Midterm Review

10/18: IN-CLASS MIDTERM EXAM

PART II: Crossing Generations

Th

10/20: Jhumpa Lahiri, The Third and Final Continent*

10/25: WORKSHOP: AI Group Project Work Day

Th

10/27: Patricia Park, Re: Jane (pages 3-130)

11/1

Th

11/3: Park, Re: Jane (pages 259-338)

11/8: Gene Yang, American Born Chinese (pages 1-40)

Park, Re: Jane (pages 133-255)

Scott McCloud, Excerpt from Understanding Comics*

Th

11/10: Yang, American Born Chinese (pages 41-160)

11/15: Yang, American Born Chinese (pages 161-233)

Th

11/17: WORKSHOP: AI Project Group Work Day

11/22: NO CLASSTHANKSGIVING BREAK

Th

11/24: NO CLASSTHANKSGIVING BREAK

11/29: PROJECT PRESENTATIONS

Th

12/1: PROJECT PRESENTATIONS

12/6: PROJECT PRESENTATIONS

Th

12/8: WORKSHOP: Final Review

12/13: IN-CLASS FINAL EXAM (Cumulative)