Chinese Migrant and Diasporic Networks

(4 Credits)

This course introduces students to the history and cultural formations of worldwide Chinese migrations and diasporic communities, including change over the last two centuries and evolving global diasporic relationships and interactions. Some topics of interest include Zheng He’s legendary maritime travels on the imperial treasure fleets, the opium trade and its implication for early transnational Chinese capitalism, labor migration and exclusion in North America, socio-political and cultural indigenization of Chinese communities in Southeast Asia, and the coolie trade in the Caribbean region. Materials of study include history, essay, literature, and film. Prerequisite: GPS. Fulfillment: CORE HPC/IPC; GCS China and the World; Humanities Introductory course (18-19: topic).