SOCIOLOGY 51

Asian American Family & Community

MWF 10:00-10:50A, SSL 290 (69140)
UCI/Fall 2014
TA: Anna Penner, annapenner@uci.edu

Dr. Shampa Mazumdar

E-Mail: s2mazumd@uci.edu
(see email policy below)
Office Hrs:
Mondays 1:00-2:00P
@ Phoenix Grill and by appt.

Final: Mon, Dec 15, 10:30A 12:30P

Drop course Nov 14, 5p WebReg

Secretary: Vicki Ronaldson

824-5487/SSPA 3143, vmronald@uci.edu

SYLLABUS
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course will focus on the family, socialization patterns, religious lives and ethnic enclaves of the Asian American
community. It will briefly examine the history of different Asian American groups, immigration, and provide an in-depth
analysis of issues related to family composition, mate selection, impact of American culture on traditional family structure,
changing gender roles, bi-cultural identity, family networks, role of the elderly, inter-generational conflict and family
violence.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
Understand and apply key theoretical concepts.
Understand family composition, mate selection, gender roles, and the role of the elderly in Asian American
families.
Understand critical issues facing the Asian American family today.
REQUIRED BOOKS:
Available at the UCI Bookstore, students are absolutely required to have these books.
1. Fifth Chinese Daughter, by Jade Snow Wong
2. Promises Kept, by Akemi Kikumura
3. From the Ganges to the Hudson, by Johanna Lessinger
4. Family Tightrope: The Changing Lives of Vietnamese Americans, by Nazli Kibria
Readings on reserve: Additional readings will be placed on reserve.
EXPECTATIONS:
CELL PHONES MUST BE TURNED OFF AND PUT AWAY. NO EXCEPTIONS.
On exam day, be prepared to present your UCI ID.
No IDno examno exceptions.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
Readings:
All weekly readings must be completed by the end of the assigned week. Please come to sections well-prepared so that
you can actively participate in sections.
Exams:
There will be three exams, designed to test your knowledge and understanding of the concepts presented in class lectures
and in the readings. The exams are a combination of multiple choice and short answer questions. The first two exams are 50
minutes long, the final is two hours. The final exam is cumulative, although greater emphasis will be placed on materials
covered in the latter half of the class, and carries 40% of your grade.
Please double-check the course outline for the day of the first two exams, and the schedule of classes for final exam time
and day. To repeat, without verifiable medical documentation, NO MAKE-UPS will be given. Make your plans (travel
and otherwise) accordingly.
Extra Credit Assignments: Extra credit work is occasionally assigned, almost always completed in class. Again, no
make-ups are allowed. This is also to ensure that you come to class regularly.
TA SECTIONS: Attending TA sections is mandatory. The readings will be discussed in section meetings. Enrollment in
a TA section is your responsibility. The TA has the option of assigning additional work as part of 8% of your TA section
grade.
GRADES:
Grades will be based on the successful completion of "ALL" assignments and requirements.
Exam #1
22 %

m #2

30 %
Final Exam
TA Sections

40 %
8%
COURSE OUTLINE AND READINGS

WEEK
1

INTRODUCTION
Sociology: Theoretical perspective
Functionalism
Conflict theory
Symbolic interactionism
Sociology of the family: Important concepts & definitions
Immigration
Push pull factors
THE CHINESE AMERICAN FAMILY
Immigration and brief history
Split Households families
Small Producer families
Reading: Wong: Fifth Chinese Daughter (start reading)
THE CHINESE AMERICAN FAMILY (Continued)
Contemporary Chinese American families
Gender roles
Intergenerational relations
The role of extended kin
Maintaining identity
Ethnic enclaves
Reading:
Wong (finish the book),
Shih and Pyke Power, Resistance and Emotional Economies in Womens Relationships
with Mothers-in-Law in Chinese Immigrant Families (this reading will be discussed in
section)
THE JAPANESE AMERICAN FAMILY
Brief history and immigration
The Issei family
Arranged marriages
Picture brides
Reading: Kikumura: Promises Kept (entire book)
THE JAPANESE AMERICAN FAMILY (contd)
World War II and Internment
Internment and its impact on the family
The Nisei family
The Sansei and intermarriage
Contemporary Japanese American families
Assimilation and symbolic ethnicity
Review Session Friday Oct 31th

4
(contd)

INTRODUCING INDO-AMERICAN FAMILIES

Readings:
Finish Kikumura
Lessinger, From the Ganges to the Hudson (start reading)
THE INDO-AMERICAN FAMILY (continued)
Role of religion in mate selection, marriage and family
Arranged marriages
Changing gender roles
Intergenerational conflict
Maintaining identity

Reading: Lessinger (finish the book)

Reading on Reserve:
Invisible Americans by Kar, et al
EXAM #1 - Monday, Nov 3rd
6

THE VIETNAMESE AMERICAN FAMILY

Brief history and Immigration
The refugee experience
Reading: Kibria: Family Tightrope (begin reading)

THE VIETNAMESE AMERICAN FAMILY (contd)

Resettlement in America: Rebuilding families
Rebuilding community
The role of places like Little Saigon
Changing gender roles
Intergenerational conflict
Reading: Kibria: Family Tightrope (complete the book)
Review session Friday, Nov 21st

THE KOREAN AMERICAN FAMILY

Brief history
Different waves of immigration
Readings on Reserve:
Pyke -The Normal American Family as an Interpretive Structure of Family Life Among Grown
Children of Korean and Vietnamese Immigrants (this reading will be discussed in section)
Exam #2 - Mon, Nov 24th
No Class Friday, Nov 28th Thanksgiving Holiday

THE KOREAN AMERICAN FAMILY (contd)

Gender roles
Small businesses and impact on the family
The role of the church and its impact on family relations
Intergenerational conflict

10

CONCLUDING DISCUSSIONS:
Family violence
Role of the elderly in Asian American family
Other issues and challenges
Reading: Treas and Mazumdar Kinkeeping and Caregiving: Contributions of Older People in
Immigrant Families (this reading will be discussed in section)
Readings on Reserve:
Hom: Stories from the homefront: Perspectives of Asia American
Parents with lesbian daughters in Asian Americans:
Experiences and Perspectives, pp. 359-366.
REVIEW SESSION - Friday, Dec 12th
FINAL Monday, Dec 15, 10:30A - 12:30P