Bonita Vista High (BVH) counselors strive to add a new Advanced Placement (AP) ASIA 113- Asian-American studies course for BVH students during the second semester of the 2023-2024 school year. On Nov. 7, BVH Counselor Lorena Serrano released a Jupiter message in regards to the offer of a new Southwestern College (SWC) college course at BVH. The email briefly summarizes the opportunity to enroll within the course by completing a Google survey linked below and a flyer as to when the class would be offered with further details.
The new course focuses on three units of Asian-American history and its various impacts on civilization. Furthermore, the course obtains major themes that include the study of economic developments, occupational patterns, anti-Asian movements, inter-ethnic exchanges, gender and intergenerational issues. SWC Assistant Professor of Ethnic Studies, Asian-American Studies, Director of Asian-American Studies Program and advisor for SWC’s Asian & Pasifika Business Association, Joseph Ramirez, further goes in depth as to what the course will be covering.
“We will dive into memory studies, monster studies and hauntings, speculative futures through graphic memoirs, comics, film, music, and other forms of art. [Art that is] really disturbing the ways how Asian-Americans and Pasifika communities have been restricted in a linear historical structure that does not allow the mundane, spectacular and the randomness that occurs in the daily lives of these communities in diaspora,” Ramirez said.
Ramirez is taking a change of the school environment when it comes to teaching and is excited to spearhead the introduction of this course to BVH students. The course is expected to explore the depth of Asian-American history and its culture within it. He explains his past experiences, being a teacher for numerous Ethnic Studies classes about the Asian- American topic.
“This is my second year as a tenured-track faculty at SWC, but I have always been passionate in teaching Ethnic Studies both [at] the high school and college level. I am currently the only professor teaching Asian-American Studies at SWC,” Ramirez said.
Moreover, Ramirez uses the “critiquing” method when it comes to his students and the courses to assist them to have a better understanding and formalization of knowledge production. Ramirez passionately emphasizes the importance of implicating the course into the BVH’s curriculum.
“My goal in this class is not only to introduce a particular part of American history, but also give the resources and skills for the students to engage with the theories and subject matter that connects their lived experiences with what is being addressed in class. I always tell my students that my classes critique the linearity of history and, to say the least, how history has been disconnected to the real, lived and modern experiences of the people. While we will address history and the study of history, we will also engage in contemporary issues and speculative futures,” Ramirez said.
BVH counselors and Sweetwater Union High School District (SUHSD) administration have started the process of the new AP course from early in the 2023-2024 school year, which will bring more diverse opportunities to learn and grow as a student.
“We want to offer our students additional college level course options, to bring knowledge and awareness of the Asian-American cultural contributions,” Serrano said. “[The class provides a] great opportunity for high school students to earn dual credits. It allows students [to] earn high school credit and college credits for free.”
Serrano adds that the course is important for students who plan to take advantage of the college courses that are offered in-person for credit. The addition of the course will prepare students for their future, benefiting them with more knowledge and opportunities.
“I think it is a great opportunity for students to get that experience of college courses even before graduating high school. It is unique for our district to offer this class on BVH campus for college and high school credit,” Serrano said.
Furthermore, the course has taken a change of locations, being placed at BVH instead of at SWC, which will result in an easier transportation for BVH students who plan to take this college level class since it is on on campus.
“I feel this class will bring another perspective on history to our students and give them a broader picture of Asian-American contributions. Students can take a free college class while in high school and earn college credit,” BVH counselor Reynila Calderon-Magbuhat said.
Calderon-Magbuhat shares her insight into why the class will be offered to BVH students. SUHSD school administrators, in consultation with counselors, felt it was in the best interests of the students to include the AP course to include the contributions Asian-Americans have made to United States (U.S.) History.
“I think it would be a great opportunity for students, regardless of their ethnicity, to learn about the history and contributions of Asian-Americans to American History. Asian-Americans are one of the largest demographic groups in the U.S yet their contributions are not recognized in standard U.S. History books,” Calderon-Magbuhat said.
The course is seen by many of the BVH community as inclusive and a diverse curriculum to better recognize one of the many historical subjects within history. The AP Asian-American studies course would not only give students a better insight to Asian-American history but it will have a great impact on the community as it gives students an opportunity to be more socially active.
“This particular course came up as an option from SWC and we wanted to offer this opportunity to our students,” Calderon-Magubhat said. “The class will be offered [during] period one from 8:30 to 10:31 a.m. on Monday and Wednesdays.[…] This Course is open to juniors and seniors since they [have a more adjustable schedule than freshman and sophomores].”
Ramirez took the position to provide BVH students with the academic course of Asian-Americans to add a development seen as a positive movement. Ramirez shares more of his excitement and gratitude to having the opportunity to teach and share this course with students to mold their minds.
“This is a college level class, so I hope they can understand the rigorousness of a college class, as a way to jump ahead in their college career and their college experiences,” Ramirez said. “I am glad this program is available for high school students to get exposed to Asian-American Studies, but also get both high school and college credit for taking this course.”
