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from the issue of November 9, 2006
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Oakley guides UNL's first Asian American lit class
BY SARA PIPHER, UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS
When English professor Seanna Oakley arrived at UNL, she was eager to work with the Institute of Ethnic Studies, particularly the African and African American Studies program, which aligned with her area of specialty.
| | LISTENING IN - Seanna Oakley (right) listens to Jamaican-born poet Pamela Mordecai during a Oct. 26 reading. Oakley, the guiding force behind Mordecai's visit, is also teaching UNL's first Asian American literature course. Photo by Troy Fedderson/University Communications.
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As she learned more about the Institute, she discovered an Asian American literature class was not offered.
"It seemed strange to me that we have an institute of Ethnic Studies which only considers ethnic studies to be Native American, African and African American and Latino/a studies," Oakley said. "I felt badly because I looked around and I saw in the Lincoln community lots of Vietnamese and other Asians...I felt that it was kind of a slap in the face, and that their history and ethnicity should be acknowledged."
Oakley took the initiative and designed a course in Asian American literature.
The response to the new course has been enthusiastic.
"The attitude of students in the course is so engaged," Oakley said. "I feel like I got lucky. The students are really interested in the readings. We touch on politics and culture, and discuss what it means to live in this country."
UNL junior Colleen McBride, a secondary English education major, agrees.
"I'm really enjoying the class," she said. "The book selection is wonderful, and we have great discussions." McBride chose to take the class because she feels it's important, as she prepares to teach high school, that she be well versed in many different types of literature.
Students are reading novels and poetry by authors representing a cross-section of Asia, from India to China, Japan and Vietnam. They are also watching documentaries to broaden their understanding of Asian American experiences.
Oakley hopes that it's just a matter of time before the university will hire a full-time professor of Asian American studies.
"I do plan on teaching this course next fall, and it's certainly a joy for me to teach," she said. Ideally a PhD in the field could be hired, she said, "who can take students farther."
GO TO: ISSUE OF NOVEMBER 9
NEWS HEADLINES FOR NOVEMBER 9
Profs meld architecture, humanities
Oakley guides UNL's first Asian American lit class
Sheldon seminar aims to integrate art, coursework
'Ethanol's Lost History' presented Nov. 16
Labor force grows despite population declines
National honors council finds home at UNL
Students volunteer for ABC
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