Building and Living in Asian America

Inherit within the evolution of American landscapes is a history of racial dominance and resistance. For a very long time, the architectural and spatial experiences of Asian American communities were often associated with assimilation, obscuring the tactics they employed to strive to belong in America. This course centers on the built environment and cultural artifacts in the contemplation and commemoration of Asian American history. We will explore the places Asian immigrants and Asian Americans inhabited as well as the sites they built in America and overseas, including Chinatowns, the architecture of the postcolonial Philippines, Japanese incarceration camps, places of worship, homes, restaurants, shopping centers, and more. Students will learn about the ramifications of racism and racial inequity as well as the struggles and resilience of Asian American communities through studying historical places. In addition, this community-engaged course provides students with a rare opportunity to participate in the local community project—the Immigrant History Trail in Boston’s Chinatown, a project initiated by the Chinatown Community Land Trust. This course is open to freshmen regardless of their department/program affiliations and may particularly interest those who hope to pursue careers in community organizations, historic preservation, and writing about Asian American historical sites.