ABSTRACT
The Routledge Handbook of Asian American Studies situates itself within the expansive collection of Asian American anthologies that aims to increase classroom instruction of Asian American studies. Notably, Asian American anthologies have also had a vital hand in bringing coherence and defining values that would shape the academic field of Asian American studies. In fact, a critical genealogy of the field lies not just with the institutionalization of Ethnic Studies following the Third World Liberation Front-led strike in 1968 on the campus of San Francisco State University. It also lies with the publication of Roots: An Asian American Reader in 1971 by the UCLA Asian American Studies Center. Together with the 1974 publication of Aiiieeeee! and the 1976 release of Counterpoint, these assemblages began the foray into defining the mission, productive potential, and goals of Asian American studies. The Routledge Handbook of Asian American Studies, with its compilation of essays, builds on this aspect of Asian American anthologies. In addition to being a teaching tool, it offers a moment of reflection on the field, highlighting its realignments, growth, and possibilities. The goal of this rumination is to advance the political project of Asian American studies to transform the terrain of higher education.
