In the spring of 1986, UCSD has had its first Asian American Studies class. Instructed by Dr. James Lin, this class aims to fill the gap between East Asian Studies and American History in the UCSD curriculum. However, according to the syllabus, this is more than an academic class. It is also a personal development class for Asian and non-Asian students to rediscover their ethnic heritage in the United States and its relationship to the treatment of Asians in America. This class examines the Asian American experience through two view: conventional and radical and provides basis for each student’s own redefinition and reevaluation of Asian American identity, history, and community life.

Source: University of California San Diego University Records, Special Collections, RSS 1000 B8 F6.