Film 117 - Freshman Seminar: Asians in American Film

Institution:

Washington University in St Louis

Subject:

Description:

This course surveys the history of Asian representations in American cinema from the silent period to the contemporary era. Throughout the semester we focus on images of Chinese, Japanese, Koreans, Filipinos, and Vietnamese that have become most ingrained in American popular culture over the past century, from Fu Manchu and Madame Butterfly stereotypes popular during the classical studio era to more recent reconfigurations of racialized imagery in Jackie Chan and Jet Li films. We also examine selected works by Asian-American independent writer-directors; films and videos such as Chan is Missing, History and Memory, and Better Luck Tomorrow that challenge the stereotypes and normative tropes of "Orientalism" still permeating mainstream media. Students are asked to frame textual analyses of key films (such as The Cheat, Daughter of Shanghai, Battle Hymn, Flower Drum Song, and Enter the Dragon) within various political, social, cultural, and industrial contexts (e.g. anti-Asiatic immigration and labor policies; U.S. foreign policies; the practice of "yellowface;" censorship codes; wars in East and Southeast Asia; anti-miscegenation laws; grassroots campaigns to stem the tide of stereotypes and hate-crimes; etc.). Required screenings.

Credits:

3.00

Credit Hours:

Prerequisites:

Corequisites:

Exclusions:

Level:

Instructional Type:

Lecture

Notes:

Additional Information:

Historical Version(s):

Institution Website:

www.wustl.edu

Phone Number:

(314) 935-5000

Regional Accreditation:

North Central Association of Colleges and Schools

Calendar System:

Semester

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