Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2025 - GA 400 D100

Selected Topics in Global Asia (3)

Global Theories of Asian Racialization

Class Number: 7119

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Thu, 11:30 a.m.–2:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    45 units.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Content will vary according to interests of faculty and students but will involve Global-Asia-related study within one or more of the social science or humanities disciplines. This course may be repeated for credit only when a different topic is taught.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course looks to introduce to theories and histories of Asian racialization from the fields of postcolonial, Asian American, and Asian studies. We will contemplate what kinds of global historical, cultural, and political forces shape, maintain, and challenge “Asiatic difference” and grapple with how anti-Asian racism upholds other systems of oppressions. In other words, we are exploring how “Asia” or “Asian” is given meaning. We will work slowly through theories of Asian racialization and supplement them with field trips, as well as historical, political, and aesthetic texts. These include colonial-era eugenics writings by John Crawfurd and C. Vlieland, exclusion and hate crime laws in North America, think pieces on Chinese privilege from Southeast Asia, migrant worker literature (from writing competitions held in Taiwan and Singapore as well as Filipinx/Indian call center literature), and social media discourse on Asian North Americans (Reddit and Tik-Tok). A unique component of this course will be the portfolio assignment, which will ask students to build an archive of everyday objects (e.g., songs, social media posts, household items) or observations (e.g., an encounter you had on the bus) that connect with the course readings.  

Grading

  • Participation 15%
  • Short presentation 10%
  • Portfolio (with weekly entries) 15%
  • Midterm essay 25%
  • Final project (essay or creative option) 35%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Most course texts will be made available on Canvas or in class. Students will be asked to purchase Ling Ma’s novel Severance from the bookstore.


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

RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.