Taught by: Mayumi Tan & Anne Marie Busche, María Belén Molina & Stephanie Wan
In this class, students engaged with the complex and urgent issues surrounding immigration in today’s world. As millions are forced to leave their homes due to war, economic hardship, climate change, and violence, the topic has sparked intense global debates. From the arrival of European colonists in 1592 to the discriminatory policies like the 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act, the U.S. has a long and multifaceted history of immigration, often marked by the displacement of indigenous peoples.
Artists are at the forefront of this conversation, using their work not only to reflect the realities of immigration and the refugee crisis but also to challenge and reshape social and political narratives. In this class, students explored how art can serve as a powerful tool for creating counter-stories that humanize the experiences of immigrants and refugees. Utilizing a diverse range of media and creative strategies, participants learned to harness the transformative power of art to foster empathy, dialogue, and change.
