ASIAN AMERICAN STUDIES

THE SOUTHEAST ASIAN AMERICAN EXPERIENCE

Among the many leagcies of the Vietnam/American Conflict was the massive migration of immigrants and refugees from Southeast Asia to the United states and many other countries. These immigrants and refugees came in successive movements since the fall of the government of South Vietnam. This course will examine in some details the historical context of the conflict as well as the background characteristics of the movements by getting the students involved in a number of community projects at the Southeast Asian Community Center. This approach will allow the students of AA42 to get acquainted with many aspects of the resettlement process and the adaptation isssues that Vietnamese newcomers have to face in the new society.

AA42 is also linked with ESL 62 where students can learn to put this experience in class writing assignments which include essays, diaries, and reports. The objective of this joint service learning class is twofold: a) students will acquaint themselves with the background and experience of Vietnamese immigrants; b) improving their English language skills through extensive interaction with classmates and the community.