Philippine Studies

Independent Study allows individual students to explore academic interests in Philippine Studies through guided research projects. Students are required to either write a research paper or give a presentation on their work.

This course examines traditional and contemporary characteristics of the Filipino family with an emphasis on the impact of colonialism on family dynamics in the Philippines and Filipino communities in the diaspora. Other issues to be discussed in the context of the Filipino family include emigration and immigration, belief systems and faith, the evolution of cultural values, intergenerational conflict, colonial mentality, colorism, sexuality, gender identities, and transnationalism.

This course examines various cultural themes, sociopolitical, geographical, and historical factors of Philippine culture and society through cinema. Various cultural themes and sociopolitical influences on the Filipino experience through time discussed in this course include, but are not limited to the following: images of Filipinos, language distribution, interpersonal relations, ideas of self, belief systems, indigeneity, sex roles, the "Filipino Dream," immigration, and alienation.

A survey of Philippine literature written in English and Filipino (in translation) from the early period to contemporary times. The course includes the study of folk literature, canonical texts as they relate to the development of national identity, and how social and historical contexts are presented through forms of literature such as poems, short stories, and essays. Themes and topics such as colonialism, national identity, emigration, political activism, and language.

A survey of literature written in English and Filipino (in translation) by Filipino authors in the diaspora. The course includes the study of texts as they relate to the development of Filipino identity in the diaspora, and how social and historical contexts are presented through forms of literature such as poems, short stories, and essays. Themes and topics such as post-colonialism, identity, immigration, political activism, language, and home.

An interdisciplinary analysis of contemporary, social, political, economic, and cultural issues that significantly affect the Filipino community, including the following areas: identity development, immigration and acculturation, socioeconomic status, labor, racial and ethnic diversity, colorism, gender identity, political empowerment, cultural appropriation, and indigeneity.

A survey of Philippine visual, performing, and material arts in the context of the country's historical and contemporary contexts, from precolonial to contemporary periods. We will explore the role of the arts in cultural and national and global identity construction and representations of Philippine aesthetics in the diaspora.

This course examines the experiences of the Filipinx LGBTQ+ communities in the Philippines and the diaspora. Using an intersectional approach, topics include, but are not limited to, the histories and legacies of colonization, belief systems and faith, queer cultural values, family dynamics, sexuality, gender identities, struggles for acceptance, liberation, colonial mentality, and contemporary efforts of advocacy and activism by the queer Filipinx community.

Introductory course in Filipino (Tagalog) grammar, composition, and reading. Practice in speaking and understanding Filipino (Tagalog).

Second semester course. Completion of elementary grammar, composition, and reading; Continued practice in speaking and understanding Filipino (Tagalog).