Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2026 - GA 388 D100

Topics in Queer Global Asias (4)

Queer Relations: Int, Kin, & Community Asian NA

Class Number: 3178

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 9 – Dec 7, 2026: Wed, Fri, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    15 units.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Focuses on the experiences, histories, knowledges, and activism of marginalized gender and sexual subjects across Asia and its diasporas from the perspectives of feminist, queer, and trans studies. May be further organized by region or historical period. The topic will vary by instructor. Students may repeat for credit up to three times under a different topic. Students with credit for GSWS 388 under the same topic may not take this course for further credit.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

In 2026, the extraordinary popularity of Heated Rivalry made the story of a gay mixed-race Asian Canadian hockey player global news. This course offers students the opportunity to further explore Asian Canadian and Asian American experiences of gender, sexuality, intimacy, kinship, and community from queer, feminist, and trans Asian perspectives. How do gender and sexuality matter for people of Asian origin and descent as they navigate complex social landscapes in diaspora? What kinds of tactics have queer and trans diasporic Asians adopted to survive hostile environments, both within and beyond their families and communities? What can we learn from queer, feminist, and trans Asian diasporic thinkers both past and present about the kinds of lives and communities we want to build? How might we queer intimacy, kinship, and community and why would we want to?

To answer these questions, we will read recent scholarship in queer and feminist Asian diaspora studies; and discuss films, television shows, graphic novels, memoirs, poems, and zines by feminist, queer, and trans Asian diasporic artists like Andrew Ahn, Zaiba Baig, Joella Cabalu, Richard Fung, Kama La Mackerel, Helen Lee, Jennifer Phang, and Leah Piepzna-Samarasinha. Together, we’ll hone our skills of cultural analysis and critical thought, with the option of producing creative work as well.

Note: cross-listed with GSWS 388. Students who took GSWS 321 with Dr. Attewell in Fall 2021 or Fall 2022 cannot take either GSWS 388 or GA 388 for further credit.

Grading

  • Participation 15%
  • Portfolio of in-class reflections (4 @ 250 words each) 20%
  • Short Essay (1000 words 25%
  • Final Project (2500 word essay or creative project) 40%

NOTES:

This course counts towards a minor in Global Asia. For more information on adding a Global Asia Program, please visit the website or reach out to gaadv@sfu.ca.

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

All course texts will be either available through Canvas or shown in class.


Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.

To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit: 


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.