Month: May 2016

Class 2: Saving Face

An Ha

Reading before class:streaming movie Mad Max: Fury Road 2015 Culturally Responsive Counseling with Asian American Men. “The Face of the Asian American Male Client” (pg 21-23). WATCH SAVING FACE Discussion Questions: How is the idea of “face” incorporated into this film? How does it affect Wil’s relationship with Vivian? How is “face” maintained or affected in a lesbian relationship? Describe possible underlying meanings in the scene where Vivian teaches Wil how to fall without hurting herself. Wil was hesitant to fall at first but immediately did it as Vivian was…

Class 3: Wedding Banquet v. Saving Face

An Ha

Last class Reading before class: How Movie Critics and Moviegoers View Films Differently Discussion Questions: After reading the excerpt below in mind, critique Wedding Banquet and Saving Face from an average audience member’s perspective then a movie critic’s perspective. An established movie critic views a film from a much different perspective than does the average audience member. First, they are attuned to the critical aspects of cinematography studied in films; they are instead looking for cinematic elements such as proper stage setting (Mise en scène), directing, plot, character development, cinematography,…

Overview of Masculinity Curriculum

Helen Mun

This set of lesson plans centers around Asian American masculinity and identity formation. Objectives include seeking answers to the following questions: What role do laws and policies (immigration, labor market, anti-miscegenation) play in the historical construction of Asian American masculinity? What role do discourses, such as the trope of yellow peril, play in the construction of Asian American masculinity? How do Asian American men today engage in various practices in order to construct their own sense of identity and masculinity? What is the relationship between Asian American masculinity and the…

Masculinity Session 1: Discourse in Media

Helen Mun

Introduction through new media and pop culture   Answer the bulleted questions in discussion among peers or in writing independently. What stereotypes comes to mind when you think about Asian American men and masculinity? Spend about five minutes brainstorming and free-writing about whatever comes to mind. Think about how stereotypes might be beneficial or harmful. How does the media perpetuate such stereotypes about Asian American masculinity? What impact does new media, such as YouTube, have on perceptions of Asian American masculinity?   Select two YouTube clips that are created by…

Masculinity Session 2: Historical Context and Origins

Helen Mun

The role of immigration policies and practices in the construction of Asian American masculinity   Read before class: Shek, Y. S. (2006). Asian American masculinity: A review of the literature. Journal of Men’s Studies, 14(3), 379-391.   Asian masculinity has not always been stereotyped as passive and lacking. Consider the below depictions of Asian immigrants as “yellow peril” from the 1800s. Source: Sharp, G. (2014, June 20). Old “yellow peril” anti-Chinese propaganda. The Society Pages. Retrieved from https://thesocietypages.org/socimages     How do these images portray Asian (specifically, Chinese) men and…

Masculinity Session 3: Constructing and Reclaiming Masculinity

Helen Mun

Read before class: Thangaraj, S. I. (2015). Desi hoop dreams: Pickup basketball and the making of Asian American masculinity. New York, NY: New York University Press.   Discuss each of the themes and ideas from Desi Hoop Dreams listed above. Using a graphic organizer such as the one below, develop each idea and draw connections between them. Be sure to discuss concrete practices that the South Asian American basketball players used to construct their masculine identity. Stages of identity formation (ex. Basketball court as a stage, strip club as a…

Download and Watch Movie Split (2017)

Helen Mun

Split (2017) HD Director : M. Night Shyamalan. Writer : M. Night Shyamalan. Producer : Mark Bienstock, Jason Blum, M. Night Shyamalan. Release : January 19, 2017 Country : United States of America. Production Company : Universal Pictures, Blumhouse Productions, Blinding Edge Pictures. Language : English. Runtime : 117 min. Genre : Horror, Thriller. Movie ‘Split’ was released in January 19, 2017 in genre Horror. M. Night Shyamalan was directed this movie and starring by James McAvoy. This movie tell story about Though Kevin has evidenced 23 personalities to his…

Our Davidson Asian dad

An Ha

This is Mount Fuji. Besides the name, it’s unrelated to Fuji, our advisor of this independent study class the past semester. The first time I officially met Fuji was at his house. The Asian Culture & Awareness Association had a welcome dinner in the beginning of my freshmen year. His living and dining room were so packed that some people ate their Singapore noodles standing up. He was sitting on his couch, looking completely at ease in his crowded home and poking fun at various students with his boisterous voice. This photo…