8 Asians

PENN: Asian American Studies department funding

What is it with Ivy League schools and their Asian American Studies programs? After similar cases at Harvard and Yale, I came across a posting on Angry Asian Man about the University of Pennsylvania and their article on the Asian American Studies program in the student paper:

“Last week the University notified officials in the Asian American Studies (ASAM) department that their budget, which was decreased for this academic year, will likely remain at the same lower level for the 2008-2009 academic year. This decision, however, has received negative feedback from many students and department officials. University administration cut back on the budgets of several departments, including ASAM, this past academic year to allow for certain expenses, like bringing Kalpen Modi (Kal Penn) to campus … In addition, the ASAM department is already at a point where there are no full-time staff members, said department administrators.”

Is there are any decent Asian American Studies program in the Ivy League? or on the East Coast in general?

Other posts you might be interested in:

• Students say Kal Penn’s Asian American studies class was a hit
• Professor Kumar: Actor Penn to teach at Penn
• Harvard Crimson: Asian American Studies Still Waiting for an Entrance
• From Stoner to Gogol
• L.A. County Fire honors its first Asian American deputy chief

Comments (1) to “PENN: Asian American Studies department funding”

1. jaehwan wrote:

   I think a main problem with Asian American Studies is the quality of the work that comes out of such departments. People question whether it exists, but people rarely question whether it exists in a way which benefits Asian Americans or social justice or even artistic/intellectual empowerment. The truth is that reading another Maxine Hong Kingston or Amy Tan or David Henry Hwang work isn’t going to help anyone, especially since their works tend to perpetuate stereotypes rather than fight or exceed them.

   In any case, I think it’s good for people to raise awareness of the issue because with the amount of interest among young Asian Americans, these programs are clearly necessary. But people need to also begin discussing what kind of programs we want. Do we want programs that echo the same orientalist programs of the past? Or do we want something newer and more exciting?

   I posted a bit about this question on The Fighting 44’s (with respect to the Harvard situation).

   http://www.thefighting44s.com/archives/2008/01/27/the-fight-for-asian-american-studies/

   Posted on 04-Apr-08 at 4:31 pm | Permalink

Post a Comment