Syllabus

Psychosocial Perspectives of Asian Americans

Asian American Studies 3
TR 3:10-
3:10-4:30pm (and Sections)
2 Wellman Hall

Dr. Stanley Sue

Young Hall 147; (530) 754-
754-6173; email: ssue@ucdavis.edu
Office Hours: TuTh 11:30
11:30--12; 2:10-
2:10-3:00 pm and by appointment
Course units: 4

Teaching Assistants (email, office hours,

office location, sections)
n Meenu Dhindsa
Dhindsa,, mkdhindsa@ucdavis.edu
mkdhindsa@ucdavis.edu,, M 12-12-2pm, 148A Young
Hall, Section 1: M 5:10 – 6:00pm & Section 4: T 5:10-
5:10-6:00pm

n cmmadrigal@ucdavis.edu,, R 4:30-
Carla Madrigal, cmmadrigal@ucdavis.edu 4:30-6pm,TBA, Section 5:
T 6:10-
6:10-7:00pm & Section 7; R 6:10-
6:10-7:00pm

n Gloria Wong, glowong@ucdavis.edu

glowong@ucdavis.edu,, W 11am-
11am-1pm, Section 2: M 6:10-
6:10-
7:00; Section 6: R 5:10-
5:10-6:00pm

n Rim Zahra, rimzahra@ucdavis.edu

rimzahra@ucdavis.edu,, T 1-
1 -3 pm, Hart Hall 3115, Section
3: T 6:10-
6:10-7:00 pm & Section 8: T 5:10-
5:10-6:00 pm

Text: Zane, N. & Kim, B. (Eds.), (2005). Readings in Asian American

Psychology.. Dubuque, Iowa: Kendall/Hunt.
Psychology

1
Date Topic

Sept 24 Introduction: Who Are Asian Americans?

29 Stereotypes: Are They Accurate?
Oct 01 Stereotypes: Consequences
06 Yamashita Video; Group Hetero-
Hetero-Homogeneity
08 Family
13 Acculturation/Assimilation
15 Acculturation/Assimilation/Identity
20 Film
22 Sex Roles or Cultural Values?
27 Midterm Exam
29 Intellectual and Educational Development
Nov 03 Intellectual and Educational Development
05 Leadership and the Glass Ceiling
10 Film
12 Film
17 Utilization of Services
19 Emotional Disturbance/Microaggression
Disturbance/Microaggression
24 Guest lecturer
Dec 01 Treatment and Psychotherapy
03 Videotape of Asian American Students

08 Final Exam (8:00-

(8:00-10:00 am)

Purpose
This course is intended to (1) provide knowledge of Asian American personality, identity,
and mental health and the cultural and societal influences that shape personality and
mental health, (2) analyze psychosocial research pertinent to Asian Americans, and (3)
develop critical thinking skills on Asian American issues. This course satisfies the
following General Education requirements: Social Science, Diversity.

Format
The course will have a lecture/discussion format. Guest speakers, as well as
demonstrations, videotapes, and class exercises, will be included. Students are expected
to participate in the discussion sections (because of holiday, there will be no discussion
sections the week of Nov. 23). You are responsible for all readings, lectures, MyUCDavis
postings, and class activities.

Instructors and Office Hours

This class is taught by Dr. Stanley Sue, who is a faculty member in Asian American
Studies and the Department of Psychology. Listed above are the office hours. These
hours are set aside for this class, so feel free to visit during office hours. If it is impossible
to meet during office hours, you can schedule other times with the instructor. Office
hours are also listed for the teaching assistants.

List Server
Please check MyUCDavis information on additional course requirements, exams, and
notes/slides on the class lectures. It is your responsibility to review this information and
fulfill the requirements that are stated.

2
 Grading and Course Requirements (and percentage weighting of grade)

1. One midterm exam weighted about 27%

2. Final exam weighted about 40%
3. Presentation and one Reaction Paper:= 100 pts. each (together about 18%)
4. Participation discussion sections = 80 points total (weighted about 15%)
Exams are based on all readings and class activities (lectures, demonstrations, guest
speakers, etc.) They will be essay (long and short) in nature. No makeup exams will be
given to students who miss exams, unless a legitimate and written excuse is given to Dr.
Sue. About 60% of the exam will be taken from lectures and 40% from readings, although
there is often overlap in the materials from lectures and readings.

Presentation
You will be responsible for presenting one article from the readings during section. During
the presentation you will be asked to summarize your reaction paper and facilitate
discussion related to the topic of your article. Further details about the presentation will
be handed out during sections.

Reaction Paper Guidelines

Students will be responsible for one reaction paper throughout the course. The paper
should be one – two pages, double spaced and will be due on the day you sign up for a
presentation. The paper should include the following:
a) Summary of the findings of the article under review
b) Thoughts of the article as it pertains to your experiences or opinions
c) 2 discussion questions to be asked of your classmates

a) Summary of the findings: This portion should highlight the main findings, you do not have to
document all of the findings; alternatively you can highlight those that are of interest to you. If
you reviewed a conceptual paper or a theoretical paper, you should describe the gist of the theory
or the concept.

b) Thoughts about the article: Describe your reaction to the reading. For example, some questions
to answer are: a) Were the findings expected based on your own observations and/or experiences?
b) What was surprising or what caught your attention? c) Did you agree or disagree with what the
author(s) presented? d) Was the article helpful in understanding a similar issue that you or
someone you know has experienced? These questions are intended to be starting points, you
should elaborate to demonstrate your understanding of the article.

c) Two discussion questions: These questions should be broad and open-ended as they will be used
to generate a discussion surrounding the topic of that day. Refrain from asking simple and
straightforward questions (e.g., What were the gender differences the authors found with regards
to stereotype threat or what is the theory of relative functionalism). Formulate critical questions
that will facilitate discussion. Example: Based on the readings of ethnic identity, what has your
experience been with regards to the different stages of development and what factors contributed
to your ethnic identity development?

3
Papers will be due in section on the date for your presentation; NO LATE papers will be
accepted and all papers must be typed. You will be asked to paraphrase your paper for your
presentation and then facilitate discussion with your two questions.

Grading criteria:
0-25 = Papers not turned in or paper which evinces no effort or adherence to instructions.
26-75 = Paper documents the findings or theory but demonstrated inadequate
understanding of the reading.
76-100 = Paper documents the findings and demonstrated adequate understanding and
interpretation of the reading.

Participation
In this course, the discussion section is important; much learning takes place in
the discussion sections. Your teaching assistant will discuss what the format of the
discussion sections will be. Participation in the sections is important—it is graded.

Academic Integrity
It is the students’ responsibility to refrain from cheating on examinations,
plagiarizing, or other forms of misconduct. Students suspected of violating university rules
will be referred to Student Judicial Affairs.

Required Readings
Sept 28
Tim Fong. The History of Asians in America. 19-38.
Oct 1
Steele, C. M. A threat in the air: How stereotypes shape intellectual identity and performance. 51-76.
Mok, T.A. Getting the message: Media images and stereotypes and their effect on Asian Americans.
77-95.
National Asian Pacific Legal Consortium. Audit of violence against Asian Pacific Americans. 129-130.
Oct 9
Ying, Y., Coombs, M., & Lee, P. A. Family intergenerational relationship of Asian American adolescents.
428-448.
Chao, R. K. Extending research on the consequences of parenting style for Chinese Americans and
European Americans. 451-468.
Houston, J. W. Beyond Manzanar: A personal view of Asian American womanhood. 545-553.
Oct 16
Zane, N., & Yeh, M. The use of culturally-based variables in assessment: Studies on loss of face. 217-230.
Phinney, J. S. When we talk about American ethnic groups, what do we mean? 371-386.
Alsaybar, B. D. Filipino American youth gangs, "party culture," and ethnic identity in Los Angeles.
387-401.
Kitano, H. H. L., Fujino, D. C., & Sato, J. T. Interracial marriages: Where are the Asian Americans,
and where are they going? 603-627.
Oct 23
Triandis, H.C., Bontempo, R., Villareal, J.J., Asai, M. et al. Individualism and collectivism:
Cross-cultural perspectives on self-ingroup relationships. 189-216.
Xiong, T., & Tatum, B. D. “In my heart I will always be Hmong”: One Hmong American woman's
Pioneering journey toward activism. 341-352.
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4
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Oct 30
Sue, S., & Okazaki, S. Asian-
Asian-American educational achievement: A phenomenon in search of
an explanation. 691-
691-704.
Kim, R. Y. Ethnic differences in academic achievement between Vietnamese and Cambodian
children: Cultural and structural explanations. 705-
705-724.
Nov 6
Leong. F. Career development and vocational behaviors. 657-
657-690
Young, K., & Takeuchi, D. Racism. 136-
136-163.
Nov 13
Root, M. Multiracial Americans: Changing the face of Asian America. 628-
628-654
Chua, P., & Fujino
Fujino,, D.C. Negotiating new Asian-
Asian-American Masculinities: Attitudes and
gender expectations. 525-
525-544
Nakajima, G. A., Chan, Y. H., & Lee, K. Mental health issues for gay and lesbian Asian
Americans. 554-
554-568.
Nov 20
Chun, K.M., Eastman, K.L., Wang, G.C.S., and Sue, S. Psychopathology. 741-
741-763.
Zane, N.W.S., & Huh-
Huh-Kim. Addictive behaviors. 783-
783-810.
Chan, S. Cambodia’s darkest hours. 816-
816-841.
Dec 1
Sue, S., & Zane, N.W.S. The role of culture and cultural techniques in psychotherapy: A
reformation. 881-
881-896.
Redick,, L.T., & Wood, B. Cross-
Redick Cross-Cultural problems for Southeast Asian refugee minors. 916-
916-
921.
Yoshihama, M. Battered women’s coping strategies and psychological distress: Differences
Yoshihama,
by immigration status. 859-
859-878.

Background
n B.S., University of Oregon, 1962-
1962-1966
n Ph.D., UCLA, 1966-
1966-1971
n Assist.--Assoc. Prof., University of
Assist.
Washington, 1971
1971--1981
n Prof., UCLA, 1981-
1981-1996
n Prof., UCD, 1996-
1996-present