Prof.

Caroline Kieu Linh Valverde Synchronous Lecture Room via Zoom

Office Hours by appt Tues and Thur 2:10-4pm
Office: 3113 Hart Hall Phone: (530) 723-9767
www.kieulinh.com cvalverde@ucdavis.edu

SYLLABUS
ASIAN AMERICAN STUDIES 189B: SPIRIT REALM
SPRING 2021

COURSE DESCRIPTION
We are living through an unprecedented time where a global pandemic, Coronavirus, has
created a shift in our physical and spiritual lives. Spirit Realm is mostly tied to the belief that our
world is shared with forces and energies we cannot readily identify or explain but may have
access to for answers. Spirit Realm Studies engages in the growing recognition of indigenous
practices (particularly from Asia) to understand and address the complex and challenging issues
in our known realm and beyond. Our class specifically looks at the Spirit Realm and its
(dis)connection from/to the medical fields (physical and mental). One form of Spirit Realm
practice is to break away from what is considered normal healing to look at alternative options
that are not commonly discussed in academic settings nor acknowledged in healthcare
services. We ask why have these indigenous beliefs been kept out of academia and mostly
ostracized in the medical fields. We also explore some universal truths that are weaved through
the diverse belief systems and healing practices. Aside from presenting indigenous
understandings, we also introduce how science has come to study and interpret the spirit realm.
Lastly, students will engage in weekly spirit realm practicums in lieu of midterms and finals.
Class will start on the hour for a 10 minutes group meditation before lecture begins. This course
will be run synchronously by remote via Zoom. GE satisfactions: AH, DD, OL, SS, ACGH, WE.

REQUIRED READINGS
Most readings will be provided in the Weekly Readings Folder on Canvas for FREE.
Below are the four you need to purchase before class begins:
1. Peggy Beck. “The Sacred: Ways of Knowledge Sources of Life.”
2. Hallie Iglehart Austen. “The Heart of the Goddess: Art, Myth and Meditations of the
World's Sacred Feminine.”
3. Karen Fjelsted. “Possessed by the Spirits: Mediumship in Contemporary Vietnamese
Communities.”
4. Linda A. Gerdner and Shoua V. Xiong. “Demystifying Hmong Shamanism: Practice.”

REQUIREMENTS AND GRADING

Class Reflection 20
Reading Discussions 30
Practicum 50
Total: 100
TEACHING ASSISTANT
Office hours by appointment
Anna Le anple@ucdavis.edu

ATTENDANCE AND PARTICIPATION - Class Reflection

1
Prof. Caroline Kieu Linh Valverde Synchronous Lecture Room via Zoom
Office Hours by appt Tues and Thur 2:10-4pm
Office: 3113 Hart Hall Phone: (530) 723-9767
www.kieulinh.com cvalverde@ucdavis.edu

•Participation: Students are expected to complete the weekly reading assignments at the
beginning of each week. Be prepared to answer questions when the professor (or guest
speaker) calls on you during lecture. When called on, you are to critically comment on the
issues discussed and/or readings assigned.

•From the beginning of class to one hour after class, you are required to make a comment and a
question relating to the lecture.This recurring assignment is available for you on Canvas. This is
how your TAs will take attendance.

•Brownie points are given when students consistently participate in lectures. That means at the
end of the course, if you are on the border, we will bump your grade.

WEEKLY READING DISCUSSIONS Due Sunday by 9:59pm (30 pts total, 3 pts per entry, 9
total entries for the quarter, first week is not required and students get a free 3 pts)
Starting Week 2, you are required to write a total of 9 Reflections throughout the quarter, one
each week. Bring at least one reading in your writing. Seriously consider using your entries and
that of others that you read to elaborate in lecture. Entries are due on Canvas Discussion thread
Sundays by 9:59pm. You are welcome to upload entries early. Late entries will not receive
credit. NO EXCEPTIONS after the first week.

Each weekly entry should include:

1. Connect your lived experience and research to the theme of the week and provide your
reaction to and analysis of at least one reading/video/audio from that week. Professor
may on occasion have a question you are to incorporate as well.
2. Entries should be about a paragraph long (or 200-400 words).
3. Link at least one audio or visual addition. Provide at least one question you have about
the reading(s) or topic.
4. Check for grammar and typos.

Include a reference section. Make sure you cite sources (APA format) in your entry,
including the addition of images and audio.

WEEKLY PRACTICUM Due Sunday by 11:59pm (50 pts total, 5 pts per entry)
Each week, there will be a different exercise that tackles the theme of the week. These
prompted practicums will be explained in class and students will be given examples and rubrics
beforehand. The purpose is to have students gain a deep understanding of the week’s materials
and to practice and apply knowledge.

Week1: Create an altar to pay honor to a person, place, thing, concept… Alter should be
beautiful (to you) and represent the person or idea. Take an image and write a description for
submission. Prepare to have it shown in class and speak about it – unless it is too personal
(Professor and Anna examples).

Week2: Find a practice/belief in your culture and try to explain it in scientific terms (example:
quarantining infants for 30 days).

Week3: Interview your mother and have her discuss the details of your birth (with photos and
videos to accompany if possible). If a mother is not available, ask someone in your life who’s

2
Prof. Caroline Kieu Linh Valverde Synchronous Lecture Room via Zoom
Office Hours by appt Tues and Thur 2:10-4pm
Office: 3113 Hart Hall Phone: (530) 723-9767
www.kieulinh.com cvalverde@ucdavis.edu

given birth about their experience. Transcribe interview for submission (1-2 pages minimum).

Week4: Propagate a plant/fruit/vegetable known to have medicinal properties. Research from

your book, online or elsewhere on medicinal plants and how to propagate and care for it
effectively. Your plant can be found in neighborhoods, public parks…(I won’t report you). Use
any container for the plant. Take a picture and write about the healing properties of the plant
you have chosen, how you propagated and plan to take care of the plant (example: Aloe Vera).

Week5: Choose from a culture where there’s a healer and write a 2-page minimum description
of the origin of this healer, their purpose, and their gifts. For example: bruja, babalawo, thầy bối,
medicine wo(man), sangoma, shaman...

Week6: Read the Akashic Records instructions from your book and/or listen to the provided
audio and attempt to reach the Akashic Records. Document in a 2 page min write up: the
technique you used (even if you used your own), your thoughts and experience. Success is not
necessary but an earnest attempt is required.

Week7: Choose a goddess from The Heart of the Goddess books. Conduct additional research
to learn more about this goddess, including her origins and power. Document in 2 pages
minimum: Explain why you were drawn to or chose this goddess? What is your connection to
her? Discuss if your connection evolved during the practicum process.

Week8: Find nature and walk and/or sit in this nature. Ground your bare feet in this nature and
touch grass, rocks, trees. Hug a tree and listen to its wisdom. Alternatively, find an object that
has special meaning to you and have been with you for at least a decade. Speak to its
essence/soul. Write about your experience and any connections that were made in a minimum
of one page.

Week9: Choose a Hayao Miyazaki film to analyze from the lenses of animism. Apply what you
have learned in class, books, videos about animism when discussing the major themes of the
film. 1 page minimum.

Week10: Discuss why you believe spirit realm studies has been kept from your
discipline/major? What would be the value of including spirit realm studies in tackling issues
within your discipline? Do you believe there is a role for spirit realm studies in your field?
Minimum 2 pages.

ZOOM LECTURES and VIDEOS

Topic: ASA 189B 001 SQ 2021
Time: Mar 30, 2021 02:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Please download and import the following iCalendar (.ics) files to your calendar system.
Weekly:
https://ucdavis.zoom.us/meeting/tJwqdOCopz8iE9TOuarUX2H5YDLi35gBQznX/ics?icsToken=
98tyKuCgqTgjGt2RuBCHRow-B4jCXfTxmClHj_ppswrkERVrMCujD8ZuO-EqF_rh

Join Zoom Meeting

https://ucdavis.zoom.us/j/98739094890?pwd=UUErSXdEemdDdXhWNHhvcGtRVUhmQT09

Meeting ID: 987 3909 4890

3
Prof. Caroline Kieu Linh Valverde Synchronous Lecture Room via Zoom
Office Hours by appt Tues and Thur 2:10-4pm
Office: 3113 Hart Hall Phone: (530) 723-9767
www.kieulinh.com cvalverde@ucdavis.edu

Passcode: 437359
One tap mobile
+13017158592,,98739094890#,,,,*437359# US (Washington DC)
+13126266799,,98739094890#,,,,*437359# US (Chicago)

Dial by your location

+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 646 876 9923 US (New York)
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
Meeting ID: 987 3909 4890
Passcode: 437359
Find your local number: https://ucdavis.zoom.us/u/adlLQCnTAH

Join by SIP
98739094890@zoomcrc.com

Join by H.323
162.255.37.11 (US West)
162.255.36.11 (US East)
115.114.131.7 (India Mumbai)
115.114.115.7 (India Hyderabad)
213.19.144.110 (Amsterdam Netherlands)
213.244.140.110 (Germany)
103.122.166.55 (Australia Sydney)
103.122.167.55 (Australia Melbourne)
64.211.144.160 (Brazil)
69.174.57.160 (Canada Toronto)
65.39.152.160 (Canada Vancouver)
207.226.132.110 (Japan Tokyo)
149.137.24.110 (Japan Osaka)
Meeting ID: 987 3909 4890
Passcode: 437359

Zoom Etiquette
When you come to Zoom, please do the following immediately:
1. Open video because we love to see your faces to interact as best we can in
remote learning/teaching. If you’re shy about where you’re at, please use a
virtual background (found video icon of Zoom). If you don’t have this option, we
encourage you to just show yourself.

4
Prof. Caroline Kieu Linh Valverde Synchronous Lecture Room via Zoom
Office Hours by appt Tues and Thur 2:10-4pm
Office: 3113 Hart Hall Phone: (530) 723-9767
www.kieulinh.com cvalverde@ucdavis.edu

2. Mute audio and remain muted until you need to speak (to not distract lecture).

Do not hesitate to comment or ask questions during lecture. Unmute yourself first then
jump in. Your TAs will also keep a lookout if you raise your icon “hand” or have chat
comments/questions, and will bring it to the professor’s attention.

“Public chat” will be available.

“Private chat” should be with professor and/or TAs only.

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
You are reminded that acts of academic dishonesty (i.e. plagiarism, copying, reusing of previous course
assignments) are absolutely unacceptable and can result in a failure of the course. Whenever you
borrow ideas, use direct quotes or paraphrase, you must cite/document the source of the idea(s). You
should follow the procedures for citations/documentation used in MLA.

SUPPORT
Canvas: (844) 303-8285
TRC: (530) 752-0650
IT Express: (530) 754-4357
The Learning Skills Center - Writing support: 2205 Dutton Hall, (530) 752-2013

*The professor reserves the right to modify the syllabus during the quarter.

*I am not a licensed health provider or spiritual healer, so any discussion about health, healing, or
spirituality in the course is strictly for academic purposes.

*I am committed to providing a space free of violence including intimate partner violence and sexual
violence. My Sister’s House is a local organization that helps Asian Pacific Islanders and other
underserved people who have been affected by sexual violence or intimate partner violence. If you or
someone you know could use our assistance, please call My Sister’s House 24/7 mutli-lingual support
line 916-428-3271 for assistance. CARE is also available on campus and can be reached at 530-752-
3299.

•Policy on Children in Class https://studentlife.oregonstate.edu/childcare/family-friendly-syllabi-examples

It is my belief that if we want women in academia, that we should also expect children to be present in
some form. Currently, the university does not have a formal policy on children in the classroom. The
policy described here is thus, a reflection of my own beliefs and commitments to student, staff and faculty
parents.

1) All exclusively breastfeeding babies are welcome in class as often as is necessary to support the
breastfeeding relationship. Because not all women can pump sufficient milk, and not all babies will take a
bottle reliably, I never want students to feel like they have to choose between feeding their baby and
continuing their education. You and your nursing baby are welcome in class anytime.

2) For older children and babies, I understand that minor illnesses and unforeseen disruptions in childcare
often put parents in the position of having to choose between missing class to stay home with a child and
leaving him or her with someone you or the child does not feel comfortable with. While this is not meant to
be a long-term childcare solution, occasionally bringing a child to class in order to cover gaps in care is
perfectly acceptable.

3) I ask that all students work with me to create a welcoming environment that is respectful of all forms of
diversity, including diversity in parenting status.

5
Prof. Caroline Kieu Linh Valverde Synchronous Lecture Room via Zoom
Office Hours by appt Tues and Thur 2:10-4pm
Office: 3113 Hart Hall Phone: (530) 723-9767
www.kieulinh.com cvalverde@ucdavis.edu

4) In all cases where babies and children come to class, I ask that you sit close to the door so that if your
little one needs special attention and is disrupting learning for other students, you may step outside until
their need has been met. Non-parents in the class, please reserve seats near the door for your parenting
classmates.

5) Finally, I understand that often the largest barrier to completing your coursework once you become a
parent is the tiredness many parents feel in the evening once children have finally gone to sleep. The
struggles of balancing school, childcare and often another job are exhausting! I hope that you will feel
comfortable disclosing your student-parent status to me. This is the first step in my being able to
accommodate any special needs that arise. While I maintain the same high expectations for all students
in my classes regardless of parenting status, I am happy to problem solve with you in a way that makes
you feel supported as you strive for school-parenting balance. Thank you for the diversity you bring to our
classroom!