Study of Women and Gender 233 - GEND&SEX IN ASIAN AMERICA

Dragon ladies, lotus blossoms, geisha girls: The U.S. cultural imaginary is saturated with myths regarding Asian sexuality andgender. This interdisciplinary course intervenes into this dominant imaginary by exploring feminist and queer frameworks derived from Asian American contexts: immigration, labor, militarism, so-called “terrorism,” beauty, family, and movement-building. Through a mix of scholarly, creative, activist, literary, and media texts, we will challenge preconceived notions of Asian Americans as “model minorities,” repressed, politically regressive, or hyper-sexual, as well as explore the diversity of Asian Americangenderand sexuality offered within literature, film, performance, and culture. Prerequisite: SWG 150.