University of Toronto
University College
Fall 2013
UNI307 Asian Cultures in Canada
Class: Mondays, 2-4pm
Location: UC67
Instructor: Serene TAN [email protected]
Office Hours and Location: Mondays, 11-1pm; UC B304
This course is an exploration of the cultural histories and creative productions of a wide range of Asian
communities in Canada. It is interdisciplinary in nature and content, and a highly participatory course that
combines theoretical knowledge with practical material.
We will engage in issues that the material and readings highlight and those that we encounter in our lives
everyday in Canada – diasporic Asian identity, cross-cultural challenges and rewards, home, belonging, exile,
multiculturalism and its many faces, and hyphenation
The core objective of this course is to familiarize students with the key concepts involved in migrant and
diasporic cultures in Canada, with particular focus on Asia. It also engages students in analyzing the
relationships between theoretical and practical materials. The course encourages students to think critically
about culture and cultural values, as well as concepts of nation and region.
REQUIRED READING
Refer to course schedule for required readings. Please arrive in class prepared by having read the readings and
reviewed the material beforehand. Readings are accessible via electronic resources through the UToronto
library website (links will be provided).
The following texts will be used extensively in the course, and it is recommended that you purchase them. They
are available at the campus bookstore. There is also a limited number of texts available at the Laidlaw Library
(and various other university libraries), where a copy of each is on reserve.
The Jade Peony, Wayson Choy, 2005
Hungry Ghosts, Shyam Selvadurai, 2013
Obasan, Joy Kogawa, 1981
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COURSE FORMAT AND ASSESSMENT
This is a practical course that combines theoretical readings with practical material, and requires preparation
and participation on the part of the student. Participation and dialogue make this course a lived experience.
Reading the assigned texts before the class and active discussion during the class is a requirement. Additionally,
the course includes minor fieldwork elements. Students are encouraged to explore course concepts in their
everyday life and physical environments.
Artist and author visits offer added value to the course, and a rare and excellent opportunity to engage with
the course material in innovative ways. There is no final exam in this course. Hence, regular attendance and
participation are required and carry 20% of the evaluation.
PARTICIPATION – 20%
Every class.
Your participation mark in this course is worth 20%. You will be evaluated on your active participation in and
thoughtful contribution to class discussions. You are encouraged to develop creative and critical thinking skills
through the discussions, which will focus on the theme and assigned reading for the week.
The participation grading and assessment rubric can be found at the end of this document (pages 8-9).
WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS – 80%
Reflection piece (10%) - 2 pages/500 words: FOOD
DUE Monday September 23, 2013
This reflection piece requires your consumption of an “Asian” cuisine of your choosing. In the piece, you should
describe the food, as well as the experience of consuming the food. You should reflect critically and creatively
on how the food reflects or represents the culture, particularly in the context of Canada.
Short essay 1 (15%) - 3 pages/750 words: LANDSCAPE
DUE Monday October 7, 2013
This short essay requires you to explore an “Asian” neighbourhood or landscape of your choosing. In the essay,
you should describe the place and your experience within the space. Reflect critically and creatively on how the
place reflects or represents the culture, paying particular attention to themes and topics discussed within the
course. Your descriptions and reflections should consider the context of the space within Canada. Secondary
sources are not a requirement in the short essay, but you should reference them if you find them useful in
explaining or clarifying your analysis of the space.
Short essay 2 (15%) - 3 pages/750 words: FILM
DUE Monday October 28, 2013
For this short essay, you are to select and watch an “Asian-Canadian” film of your choosing (NOT Breakaway by
Robert Lieberman). In the essay, provide a brief synopsis of the film. Reflect critically and creatively on how the
film reflects and represents the Asian culture in Canada. Describe the issues raised and how they are illustrated
in the film. Secondary sources are not a requirement in the short essay, but you may reference them if you find
them useful in explaining or clarifying your analysis of the film.
I will provide a short list of films you may use, but you are encouraged to source your own.
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Short essay 3 (15%) - 3 pages/750 words: TEXT
DUE Monday November 18, 2013
This short essay requires you to select and read an “Asian-Canadian” text of your choosing. It may be fictional
prose, a play, or a poem that is NOT being used in the course (i.e. NOT The Jade Peony, Hungry Ghosts, nor
Obasan). Provide a brief summary of the text. Reflect critically and creatively on how the text reflects and
represents the Asian culture in Canada. Describe the issues raised and how they are illustrated in the film.
Secondary sources are not a requirement in the short essay, but you may reference them if you find them
useful in explaining or clarifying your analysis of the text.
I will provide a short list of texts you may use, but feel free to use your own.
Final paper (25%) - 8 pages/2000 words: THEME
DUE WEDNESDAY December 4, 2013
This final essay will require independent research and thoughtful preparation. You are to address a theme or
concept that we have studied in the course in relation to Asian Canadian Culture. The essay will be a thorough
examination of the theme or concept, illustrated and analyzed using any combination of food, landscape, film,
and text. You may use the foods, landscapes, films, and texts that you have already written about in the
previous 4 assignments, in addition to the texts and films we have used in the course. You should also draw on
material from the class (discussions, guest lectures, etc.) to discuss your theme or concept.
You will be evaluated on your use of secondary sources, your essay's argumentation and organization,
the originality and creativity of your critical analysis, and the clarity of your writing. Detailed
guidelines will be provided in class.
Students should arrange a consultation with the instructor well in advance of the submission deadline
(December 4) to discuss the scope and theme of their final papers.
All written assignments are due at the beginning of class on their respective dates, and must be handed in to
the course instructor. It is your responsibility to ensure that the instructor receives your assignment.
Late Policy
Please note: There is a penalty of 5% per day (including weekends) for late assignments and essays.
Assignments submitted on the due date, but not at the beginning of the class period, will be penalized by 2%.
Late assignments will not be accepted after one week without a valid medical certificate. Late assignments
should be submitted and date-stamped in the Program Office in UC173. The course instructor will not be held
responsible for any late course assignments or essays that go missing. Be sure to retain a copy of your paper
and keep all your notes and drafts.
Turnitin
Policy regarding Turnitin is on the following page (4).
Students must upload all assignments to Turnitin on the day they are submitted to the instructor. Assignments
will not be marked unless they are successfully uploaded.
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COURSE POLICIES
Blackboard
This course uses Blackboard. All course materials, including course syllabus, assignments, course readings and
other supplementary materials will be made available on Blackboard. The course instructor will frequently post
materials on Blackboard, so students should check the course site regularly. Emails will also be sent out
through Blackboard; students must regularly check their utoronto email accounts.
Email Policy
Communication with students will be through their utoronto.ca email address. Students should check their
utoronto email regularly for communications through Blackboard. All email communications should be brief
and courteous. Please do not expect an immediate reply to your email, but every effort will be made to get
back to you within 48 hours (weekends not included). ALL EMAIL CORRESPONDENCE SHOULD HAVE UNI307
CLEARLY IDENTIFIED IN THE SUBJECT HEADING OR THE EMAIL WILL NOT BE READ. Assignments will not be
accepted by email.
Turnitin
Normally, students will be required to submit their course essays to Turnitin.com for a review of textual
similarity and detection of possible plagiarism. In doing so, students will allow their essays to be included as
source documents in the Turnitin.com reference database, where they will be used solely for the purpose of
detecting plagiarism. The terms that apply to the University’s use of the Turnitin.com service are described on
the Turnitin.com web site.
Concerns about Grading
Questions about assignment marking and course grades cannot be addressed effectively via email. Individual
attention is available during office hours or by appointment. The Faculty of Arts and Science only permits the
re-marking of assignments within ONE MONTH of the date of the assignment’s return to you.
A Warning about Plagiarism
The code of academic conduct disallows the following:
 to represent as one’s own any idea or expression of an idea or work of another in any academic
examination or term test or in connection with any other form of academic work, i.e. to commit
plagiarism;
 to submit, without the knowledge and approval of the instructor to whom it is submitted, any
academic work for which credit has previously been obtained or is being sought in another course or
program of study in the University or elsewhere
The University of Toronto takes academic honesty very seriously. Any suspected cases of plagiarism will be
investigated. “How not to plagiarize” can be located on the university’s writing web site, at
http://www.writing.utoronto.ca/advice/using-sources/how-not-to-plagiarize.
Writing Resources
University College has an excellent Writing Centre (http://www.utoronto.ca/ucwriting/) that is open to all UC
students and students enrolled in UNI courses. They provide individual instruction in intensive 50-minute
consultations. Appointments can be made online. The UC Writing Centre also provides a range of other
resources; see their website for more information.
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Accessibility Needs
Students with diverse learning styles and needs are welcome in this course. If you have a disability/health
consideration that may require course format accommodation, please feel free to approach the course
instructor to discuss your needs. If you require accommodations for a disability, or have accessibility concerns
about the course, the classroom or course materials, please contact Accessibility Services as soon as possible:
[email protected] or http://studentlife.utoronto.ca/accessibility.
Illness and Absences
Please obtain lecture notes from a classmate if you miss one or more classes and see your course instructor if
you have questions about the material that was covered during your absence. Notify your course instructor as
soon as possible if a serious illness or other concern is affecting your ability to keep up with the course. It is also
wise to contact your college registrar if you are experiencing academic and/or personal difficulties.
Drop Date
The last date to drop courses with an F section code from your academic record without penalty is Monday,
November 4, 2013.
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COURSE SCHEDULE
September 9, 2013
1. Introduction, Course Structure, Key terms
September 16, 2013
2. Seeing & Placing Culture
Readings: Bonnett, A., and Nayak, A. (2003), “Cultural Geographies of Racialization –
the Territory of Race”, in Anderson, K., M. Domosh, S. Pile, and N. Thrift (eds.),
Handbook of Cultural Geography, Sage
Anderson, Kay, (1987), “The idea of Chinatown: The Power of Place and Institutional
Practice in the Making of a Racial Category”, in Annals of the Association of American
Geographers, 77(4): 580-598
September 23, 2013
3. Transnationalism and Identity
Reflection piece (Food) due in class
Reading: Walton-Roberts, M., and Pratt, Geraldine, (2005), “Mobile Modernities: A
South Asian family negotiates immigration, gender and class in Canada”, in Gender,
Place and Culture, 12(2): 173-195
September 30, 2013
4. Belonging
FILM SCREENING: Breakaway (2011) Robert Lieberman
Media Commons Theatre, 3-025, Third Floor, Robarts Library
October 7, 2013
5. Representation, Conflict
Short essay 1 (Landscape) due in class
Reading: The Jade Peony, Wayson Choy, 2005, Part 3
October 14, 2013 – THANKSGIVING – NO CLASS
October 21, 2013
6. Belonging, Home – Author visit
Shyam Selvadurai, Author, Hungry Ghosts
Reading: Hungry Ghosts, Shyam Selvadurai, 2013, part 2
October 28, 2013
7. Returning Home
Short essay 2 (Film) due in class
Reading: Hungry Ghosts, Shyam Selvadurai, 2013, part 2
November 4, 2013
8. Multiculturalism; Guest visit
Last day to drop F courses without academic penalty
David Yee, Artistic Director, fu-GEN Asian Canadian Theatre
Reading: Mitchell, Katharyne, (2004), “Geographies of identity: multiculturalism
unplugged”, in Progress in Human Geography, 28(5): 641-651
November 11, 2013 – STUDY BREAK – NO CLASS
November 18, 2013
9. Power
Short essay 3 (Text) due in class
Reading: Obasan, Joy Kogawa, 1981
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November 25, 2013
10. Diaspora
Reading: Obasan, Joy Kogawa, 1981
December 2, 2013
11. Course wrap-up, conclusions.
December 4, 2013 – WEDNESDAY – NO OFFICIAL CLASS – Final paper DUE 2pm
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Participation Grading and Assessment Rubric
A+
Participates in every class exercise, provides multiple insightful comments during discussion that shows
consistent thoughtful, reflective analysis of course content. Demonstrates exceptional knowledge and
understanding of course material through spoken participation. Encourages peers to participate in group work
(if any) and discussions, and provides engagement with ideas put forth by each of class materials, peers, and
the instructor. Always pays attention in class, no matter who is speaking or what is being done.
A
Participates in every class exercise, provides some insightful comments during discussion that shows consistent
thoughtful, reflective analysis of course content. Demonstrates exceptional knowledge and understanding of
course material through spoken participation. Encourages peers to participate in group work (if any) and
discussions, and provides engagement with ideas put forth by each of class materials, peers, and the instructor.
Always pays attention in class, no matter who is speaking or what is being done.
AParticipates in every class exercise or misses one lecture exercise, provides some insightful comments during
discussion that shows consistent thoughtful, reflective analysis of course content. Demonstrates solid
knowledge and understanding of course material through spoken participation. Encourages peers to
participate in group work (if any) and discussions, and provides engagement with ideas put forth by some of
class materials, peers, and the instructor. Always pays attention in class, no matter who is speaking or what is
being done.
B+
Misses one or two class exercises, provides the occasional insightful comment during discussion that shows
some thoughtful, reflective analysis of course content. Demonstrates solid knowledge and understanding of
course material through spoken participation. Provides engagement with ideas put forth by some of class
materials, peers, and the instructor. Almost always pays attention in class, no matter who is speaking or
what is being done.
B
Misses one or two lecture exercises, provides the occasional insightful comment during discussion that shows
analysis of course content. Demonstrates some knowledge and understanding of course material through
spoken participation. Provides engagement with ideas put forth by some of class materials, peers, and the
instructor. Almost always pays attention in class, no matter who is speaking or what is being done, with the
rare episode of texting or checking twitter or Facebook on phones or laptops.
BMisses one, two or three class exercises, provides a rare insightful comment during discussion that shows
analysis of course content. Demonstrates some knowledge and understanding of course material through
spoken participation. Provides engagement with ideas put forth by some of class materials, peers, and the
instructor. Almost always pays attention in class, no matter who is speaking or what is being done, with the
occasional episode of texting or checking twitter or Facebook on phones or laptops.
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C+
Misses two or three class exercises, provides a rare comment during discussion that occasionally shows
analysis of course content. Sometimes demonstrates knowledge or understanding of course material through
spoken participation. Provides engagement with ideas put forth by some of class materials, peers, and the
instructor, but seems to focus on anecdotes with little connection to course materials. Sometimes is distracted
in class and is not paying attention, with the occasional episode of texting or checking twitter or Facebook on
phones or laptops.
C
Misses two, three or four class exercises, rarely speaks during discussion and demonstrates minimal analysis of
course content. Very rarely demonstrates knowledge or understanding of course material through spoken
participation. Does not provide engagement with ideas put forth by class materials, peers, and the instructor,
but instead seems to focus on anecdotes with little connection to course materials. Sometimes is distracted in
class and is not paying attention, with the occasional episode of texting or checking twitter or Facebook on
phones or laptops.
CMisses two, three, four, or five class exercises, rarely speaks during discussion and shows minimal analysis of
course content. Does not demonstrate much knowledge or understanding of course material through spoken
participation. Does not provide engagement with ideas put forth by class materials, peers, and the instructor,
but instead seems to focus on anecdotes with little connection to course materials. Often is distracted in class
and is not paying attention, with lots of texting or checking twitter or Facebook on phones or laptops, or offtopic talking.
D
Misses three, four, or five class exercises, rarely speaks during discussion and shows minimal analysis of course
content. Does not demonstrate much knowledge or understanding of course material through spoken
participation. Engages only with personal ideas and anecdotes that only relate incidentally to course materials.
Very often is distracted in class, is not paying attention and is actively disrupting other students with texting,
surfing or talking.
F
Missed six or more class exercises.
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