Spring 2023 - GA 101 D100

Introduction to Global Asia (3)

Class Number: 4880

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 4 – Apr 11, 2023: Tue, 12:30–2:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Apr 18, 2023
    Tue, 11:59–11:59 p.m.
    Burnaby

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Introduces developments in Asia from a comparative and transregional perspective, focusing on economic interactions, cultural influences, as well as migrations. Surveys various issues, both historical and contemporary, including those involving diasporic Asian communities. Students with credit for ASC 101 may not take this course for further credit. Breadth-Humanities/Social Sciences.

COURSE DETAILS:

In this course, we will explore different aspects of Asia’s global story through films, short stories, essays, visual art, and oral accounts that depict the interconnected, border-crossing worlds of Asian and Asian diasporic people. We will begin by examining BC’s history as a point of departure for encounters with Asia as well as a site of settlement by people of Asian descent from all over the globe, as shaped by histories of Indigenous presence, settler colonialism, and anti-Asian racism. Key texts will include Alejandro Yoshizawa’s film All My Father’s Relations and art projects by Cindy Mochizuki and Henry Tsang. Next, we will follow the global movement of Asian people and goods (including food and land) through films like Richard Fung’s Dal Puri Diaspora and Kalyanee Mam’s Lost World; and Shani Mootoo’s short story “Out on Main Street.” In Unit 3, we will take a closer look at how people from different racial, national, and religious backgrounds are brought together as a consequence of this movement: how do they experience and negotiate the tensions that often characterize relationships amongst Asian and Asian diasporic people as well as with people from other parts of the world? Here, our conversations will center on films like Baby Ruth Villarama’s Sunday Beauty Queen, Jon Chu’s Crazy Rich Asians, and Mira Nair’s Mississippi Masala. Finally, we will watch Bong Joon-ho’s film Parasite to think about Cold War afterlives and the global circulation of Korean popular culture. Throughout the course, short writing assignments will enable you to hone your skills of critical thinking, analytical writing, and clear argumentation; and practice thinking with key Global Asia concepts and frameworks.

Grading

  • Introductory statement 5%
  • Participation (with asynchronous options) 10%
  • Micro essay (1 @ 300 words) 15%
  • Short essays (2 @ 1000 words each) 55%
  • Final keywords exam 15%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

All course texts will be uploaded to Canvas or shown in class.  


REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity website http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating. Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the university community. Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the university. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the university. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html