Course Description: As the Asian American population grows, the need for discourse about the Asian American LGBTQ+ community is imminent. This is an interdisciplinary layout to explore the topic. Objective: 1. Understand and apply queer theory to explore Asian American sexuality 2. Analyze and critique the two films Wedding Banquet and Saving Face Readings: 1. “Influences of Culture on Asian Americans’ Sexuality” by Sumie Okazaki in The Journal of Sex Research (JSTOR) 2. Queer Theory: An Introduction by Anna Marie Jagose, “Introduction” and “Theorising same-sex desire” (pg 1-21) 3. Asian…
Category: LGBTQ+
Class 1: Wedding Banquet
Readings before class: 1. “Influences of Culture on Asian Americans’ Sexuality” by Sumie Okazaki in The Journal of Sex Research (JSTOR) 2. Queer Theory: An Introduction by Anna Marie Jagose, “Introduction” and “Theorising same-sex desire” (pg 1-21) WATCH MOVIE: WEDDING BANQUET, before or after 3. Asian America : Straitjacket Sexualities : Unbinding Asian American Manhoods in the Movies. “Asian American Manhoods in Hollywood.” (pg 102-110) Discussion Questions: Did you watch the movie before or after reading the excerpt from “Asian American Manhoods in Hollywood”? How do you think it affected your experience?…
Class 2: Saving Face
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
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,…