HHIS-316: Asian Americans in Film

This course explores media representations of Asian Americans, with a focus on motion pictures, from the early twentieth century to the contemporary period. Starting with the silent film era, we will examine Hollywood portrayals of Asians and Asian Americans and consider how these depictions have changed-and persisted-over time. We will also look at the participation of Asian American performers and filmmakers in both mainstream and independent productions, including the emergence of an Asian American cinema movement and the creation of new or alternative representations of and by Asian Americans. Throughout the course, we will analyze the intersections of race, ethnicity, gender, and class in films while situating these works within their relevant social and political contexts.