Mental Health Stigmas in the Asian American Community

Period 3, Room 101

Fall Semester 2021

Instructor(s) name(s): Hansen Han, Christina Lam, Justin Lyu, Brandon Tabata, Chloe Tak

Email address: than018@ucr.edu, clam084@ucr.edu, jlyu015@ucr.edu, btaba002@urc.edu, ctak001@ucr.edu

Office location: Room 101; phone number: 951-010-1010

Course Description
In this class, we will be using the themes from this course to address mental health stigmas in the Asian
American community. We will touch on the systemic implications of racism and how it has negatively affected
mental health for Asian Americans over history. We will also discuss the toxic work ethic perpetuated by the
model minority stereotype. Furthermore, we will address how the traumas of war and colonialism caused many
Asian refugees to come to America and how this history has impacted the values, mindsets, and preservation or
disregard for one’s own Asian culture. Then, we will address how Asian Americans struggle with their identity
and whether to assimilate or not. We will look at mental health stigmas through a modern lens as well such as at
a college level and how Asian Americans struggle with mental health in academia, social environments, and
family life. Overall, the purpose of this project is to destigmatize mental health as a taboo topic in the Asian
American community and advocate for healthy conversations and creating safe spaces to find help so that
people do not have to suffer in silence or suppress their pain. This will be presented in the form of syllabuses,
lesson plans, lecture readings and discussions for specific grades.

Course Units/Goals
• Unit 1: Introduction to Mental Stigmas in the Asian American Community
• Unit 2: History of Mental Health of Asian Americans
• Unit 3: Model Minority Myth
• Unit 4: Modern Implications of How Mental Health Affects the Asian American Community Today
• Unit 5: Conclusion and Additional Resources for Help

Required Texts, Materials, or Equipment

• Access to the classroom website: https://etst005section021group5.weebly.com/
• Required texts will be embedded and cited within each unit’s page.
• A paper notebook or electronic device for taking notes/completing assignments is recommended.

Daily Work/Homework
Homework for this class will be to do the assigned readings, videos, and assignments as required. In order to be
best prepared for the class, have notes ready from your homework to help aid in participating in class reading
tests, discussions, and assignments.

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Major Assignments
Reading Journals: Every week, you will be assigned to complete one reading journal based on the theme of that
week’s lesson. These journals should be MLA format (12 point Times New Roman font, double spaced) and at
least 500 words. You may treat this journal as a personal reflection to discuss what you have learned, how it
relates to your life as well as current times, and any other questions or comments you have on the material.
Unit Tests: At the end of every unit, there will be a unit test to gauge your understanding of the material. These
tests will be closed-note.
Group Work: During class, we may take occasional pauses to complete group work. During this time, specific
assignment instructions will be given accordingly.

Final Research Paper: At the end of this semester, you will be required to write a final essay rather than take a
final exam. The purpose of this essay is to demonstrate how your understanding of mental health impacts the
Asian American community. This will be done by picking one mental illness or issue to focus on and writing a
research paper about how it impacts the Asian American community. This will allow you to tie in themes from
this course as well as outside evidence to support your thesis on how this specific mental illness is impactful. You
will be given 1 week to compete the essay.
Some examples of possible mental illnesses to cover are:
1. Anxiety
2. Bipolar Disorder
3. Depression
4. Eating Disorders (Anorexia and Bulimia)
5. Paranoia
6. Schizophrenia
7. Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
8. Dissociation and Dissociative Disorders
9. Psychosis
10. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
11. ADHD
12. Borderline Personality Disorder
13. Other*: Ask teacher for approval if you choose a topic outside of this list
Class Participation
Class participation will be based on attendance, completion of in-class assignments/group work, and active
participation in discussions. For active participation, it will be out of 10 points each week. Every time you raise
your hand and are called on to participate, you will be awarded 2 participation points. If you are called on to
speak, you will receive 1 participation point. There will be other opportunities to earn active participation points
such as volunteering for a visual example, sharing an insightful article or video you find relating to the lesson,
and more. Points for these will be determined as they occur. Overall, the goal of participation points is to help
you all engage and resonate with the material.

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Course Grading
Statement of Grading Approach or Philosophy
Grading will all be done by the instructor. Depending on the class average, exams will be curved if necessary.
Extra credit may be offered but is not guaranteed.
Explanation of Grading System

• Reading Journals: 15%

• Unit Tests: 30%
• Group Work: 5%
• Final Research Paper: 35%
• Participation: 15%
• Total: 100%
Sample Grade Cutoffs
90% + A
80% + B
70% + C
60% + D
Below 60% F
Course-Specific Support or Supplementary Instruction
If you ever need any additional help, have questions, or want to discuss the material further feel free to stop by
the classroom. You may come during lunch or after school on Wednesdays from 3-4pm. If these times do not
work for you, feel free to email and we can set up an appointment that fits your schedule.

INCLUSIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT STATEMENT

Learning environments should be a safe space for everyone involved. It is a place where knowledge and ideas
are shared to cultivate better understandings of the world around us. No one should ever feel discriminated
against or in danger of harassment. Please practice inclusive and respectful behavior AT ALL TIMES. We will be
holding some serious and tough conversations as we explore mental health in more detail that may challenge
people’s initial beliefs or opinions. We encourage you all to come to class with an open mind and willingness to
listen and engage vulnerably and fully.

If you ever feel in danger or fall victim to harassment, racism, or feel violated in any other way, please contact a
trusted advisor and file a report if you feel the need to do so. There are many resources on campus such as the
school counselors who are here to assist with any trauma as well.

Late Work, Extensions, and Makeup Exams Policy

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Late work will not be penalized for up to 1 week. As long as you submit the assignment within 1 week of the due
date. Extensions will be given on a case-to-case basis. If you miss an exam due to illness or other emergency
circumstances, please contact us directly as soon as possible so that a makeup exam can be organized.

Academic Integrity

As high school students, you are expected to practice and maintain ethical behavior at all times. Please refer to
the school’s academic integrity policy in the Student Handbook as necessary. Violations with these policies will
be handled by the Academic supervisors and principal on campus as needed. Please remember to always cite
your sources, do NOT plagiarize off of anyone, and do NOT cheat on any assignment given. I trust that you all
will uphold this precedent.

Disclaimer

As the semester progresses, updates to the syllabus may be made as needed. Any changes made will be
communicated appropriately.

Schedule of Topics, Readings, and Assignments

Date Topics/Assigned Readings/Homework Major Assignments

and Deadlines
Unit 1 RJ #1 due 9/3
8/30-9/15 - Assignments and content are all posted on the unit page on our RJ #2 due 9/10
NO class website. Due dates for assignments listed will be announced Test #1 on 9/15
SCHOOL in class accordingly.
9/6
9/16-10/5 Unit 2 RJ #3 due 9/24
- Assignments and content are all posted on the unit page on our RJ #4 due 10/1
class website. Due dates for assignments listed will be announced Test #2 10/5
in class accordingly.

10/6-10/25 Unit 3 RJ #5 due 10/15

- Assignments and content are all posted on the unit page on our RJ #6 due 10/22
class website. Due dates for assignments listed will be announced Test #3 on 10/25
in class accordingly.
10/26- Unit 4 RJ #7 due 11/5
11/15 - Assignments and content are all posted on the unit page on our RJ #8 due 11/12
class website. Due dates for assignments listed will be announced Test #4 on 11/15
NO in class accordingly.
SCHOOL
11/11

11/16- Unit 5 RJ #9
12/10 - Assignments and content are all posted on the unit page on our RJ #10 due 12/10
THANKSGI class website. Due dates for assignments listed will be announced Test #5 on 12/10
VING in class accordingly.
BREAK

4
(11/22-
11/26)
12/10- Time to work on research paper Research Paper due
12/17 - Research 12/17
- First Draft
- Peer Review/edits
- Final Draft