ASIA 366 Mapping Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Oral Histories and Geographies in Memphis: Methods and Fieldwork

Students will engage directly in collecting, documenting, and visualizing the oral histories and geographies of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities in Memphis. Using oral history, GIS storytelling and mapping, and community-engaged research methods, students will examine how race, migration, labor, culture, and urban policies shape AAPI lived experiences and place-making in the U.S. South. Through readings, workshops, and fieldwork, students will learn to ethically collect, analyze, and present oral histories while critically reflecting on power, representation, and ethics in community-engaged research. The course emphasizes hands-on documentation practices—such as interviewing, oral histories, mapping, fieldwork, and public storytelling—and culminates in a collaborative project that contributes to community-accessible archives, exhibits, or digital platforms.