This course examines how US institutions ideologically constructed the category of Asian-ness and materially engaged with “Asian” peoples within the United States and its territories. Ethnic Studies theory will be applied to describe critical events in Asian American histories, cultures, and intellectual traditions including an examination of how "Asian" communities interact with each other and other racialized/ethnicized communities. This includes a focus on topics ranging from self-determination to imperialism in a move toward building a just and equitable society.