URBS 284 - Chinatowns: Then and Now

Semester Offered: Spring
1 unit(s)

(Same as AMST 284 and ASIA 284) Since their formation in the late-nineteenth century era of immigrant exclusion, Chinatowns have been a fixture of urban life in cities across the United States. They served as a haven for workers fleeing anti-Asian violence, a home for immigrant families, and a hub for tourism. This course examines the histories and contemporary conditions of Chinatowns. We primarily focus on Chinatowns in major U.S. cities, including New York, Philadelphia, Boston, and San Francisco, though we also discuss the development of suburban Chinatowns and Chinatowns around the world. We explore questions including: what spurred the formation of Chinatowns? What purpose do they continue to serve, and for whom? How have residents and outsiders made meaning from these urban spaces? What has been their role in Asian American and American history? Vivian Truong.

Two 75-minute periods.

Course Format: CLS