Students will explore the changing and contested nature of Asian identities in the past and present, through an interdisciplinary study of historical texts, anthropological writings, literature and film. We will consider the relationships between the body and identity, as well as between individuals, society, culture and nation in the East Asian context, touching upon health, beauty, food, family, gender and religion. The course is divided into three thematic units: 1) A cultural history of health, body and nation in East Asia, 2) East Asian food and identity, and 3) Asian families and national identity. In each unit, we will combine theoretical, critical and personal approaches to understanding the continuing evolution of East Asian cultural identities.