Reference no: EM133769328
Case: You will complete an interview project (either individually or in a group of no more than 3 people) with an individual who identifies as Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) -- this can include a relative -- at least 21 years old. The interview may focus on the subject's life experience or professional experience in a given area. The interview subject can also be the representative of a local Asian American organization. Note: the more interesting the interviewee is, the more interesting (i.e. better) your project will be. Consider using pictures, video, even music, to make your project a multimedia experience and therefore more interesting to watch
Please be aware that the term "Asian American Pacific Islander" (AAPI) does not mean the interview subject has to be both Asian American and a Pacific Islander. The term refers to people in the United States who are usually of Asian or Pacific Islander decent. Of course, it is possible for someone to be both. AAPI also refers to anyone of Asian or Pacific Islander descent; therefore, it can refer to first generation, second generation, third generation, etc. In other words, it doesn't only refer to someone who has migrated to the United States. It also refers to people who were born in the United States.
Central to the interview (i.e. the subject matter of the questions) with your subject must be the theme of Asian American identity and historical experience. Students will write up their findings (2-3 pages), and present these findings to their classmates as a 5 to 10-minute recorded video presentation. Consider using pictures, video, even music, to make your project a multimedia experience and therefore more interesting to watch.
Don't forget the analytical component to your presentation.
Some ideas:
For interviews: Is the experience of your interviewee typical or atypical? Does it support or challenge interpretations of such experiences we have discussed in class?
For organizations: What is the organization trying to accomplish or change? Is it simply about preserving culture and ethnicity, or is it addressing a need that exists for structural reasons we have discussed in class or that have been addressed in the readings.
You will find a guide to Oral History Interview Questions attached to this document (scroll down!).
Remember - the purpose is twofold. One is to uncovered elements of Asian American history and experience that is unfolding around you while the other is to address that history with an informed and critical eye.