In this seminar course, students will survey the political and historical contexts underpinning the misrepresentation and marginalization of Asian Americans vis-a-vis popular media. Through the close study of films and TV shows; historical personal letters and propaganda imagery; news articles and theoretical texts; and literature and poetry, students will analyze and synthesize materials to form new holistic conclusions as to how such historical precedents led up to the wave of anti-Asian backlash and violence at the onset of the Covid-19 Pandemic. Towards the end of the semester, the class will be devoted to the rediscovery and celebration of the current Golden Age of AAPI representation in popular film, TV, music and, increasingly, political representation. Through the lens of visual culture, research will involve archival and museum exhibition visits, screenings and readings. Students will demonstrate learning by producing a creative research project in the form of a final essay documentary, written essay or other form of new genre project. Dependent on instructor approval. Course content will include but is not limited to: Classic films such as Breakfast at Tiffany’s, M.A.S.H., Breakfast Club, Do the Right Thing, Gremlins, Full Metal Jacket, Farewell My Concubine, Joy Luck Club etc.; Archival News Clips; Popular commercial trends such as K-Pop; the commodification of “Eastern” spirituality; imported goods and merchandise; and culinary mainstreaming.