I-Hsien Lee (Georgia State University)
Since the coinage of the term “Asian American” in the late 1960s, the fields of Asian American literature and Asian American studies have since then grown remarkably. Now in recent decades, more and more widespread interdisciplinary connections are made between Asian American fields and other disciplines, such as history, religion, media, and cultural studies. As Asian American fields continue to evolve and create new discourses of understanding and new approaches of interpretation, long-standing traditions should not be forgotten, for they play a major role in shaping the future of Asian American literature and studies. This panel aims to take a close look at the “then and now” of Asian American fields of study in hopes of continuing and furthering not only existing discourses, but furthermore encouraging innovative scholarly work that explores new ways of (re-)understanding, (re-)analyzing, and (re-)interpreting Asian American literature and/or Asian American studies.
This panel welcomes submissions on any aspect of studies in Asian American literature and/or Asian American studies. Related comparative or interdisciplinary research, diaspora studies, and (multi-)cultural studies in tune with the NeMLA 2021 convention theme “Tradition and Innovation: Changing Worlds Through the Humanities” are also welcome. Please submit a 250- to 300-word abstract, a short bio, and any media needs through the NeMLA submission page.In tune with the 2021 convention theme of “Tradition and Innovation: Changing Worlds Through the Humanities,” this session aims to take a close look at the “then and now” of Asian American fields of study in hopes of continuing not only existing discourses, but furthermore encouraging innovative scholarly work that explores new ways of (re-)understanding, (re-)analyzing, and (re-)interpreting Asian American literature and/or Asian American studies. Related comparative or interdisciplinary research, diaspora studies, and (multi-)cultural studies in tune with the convention theme are also welcome.