AAPI, Asian Diaspora, and Asian American Studies Curriculum Enhancement

The College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHSS) is offering mini-grants for full-time (term and tenure-line) faculty to enhance currently existing courses or create new courses that deepen and broaden our engagement with disciplinary and interdisciplinary approaches to AAPI, Asian Diaspora, and Asian American Studies, broadly conceived. We are seeking proposals for course development and enhancement (in other words, proposals for brand new courses as well as proposals to augment already existing courses) in areas including, but far from limited to, the following (in all disciplines and interdisciplinary fields):

• Disciplinary and interdisciplinary approaches to multiple aspects of the Asian American diaspora and experience, including but not limited to history, culture, identity, religion, philosophy, literature of AAPI identities in cultural formations, representations, and contexts 
• Course or course component focusing especially on Northern Virginia diaspora communities, disciplinary or interdisciplinary perspectives
• Disciplinary and interdisciplinary approaches to research related to immigration studies, diaspora studies, race and ethnicity, etc.
• Courses using or producing AAPI community oral histories or place-based research
• Community engaged coursework: building in, adding on experiential learning component in new or existing courses based in engagement of AAPI community organizations, broadly conceived. (Note: these courses can also meet the University Quality enhancement program and receive support for students from CECIL: https://cecil.gmu.edu/faculty-resources/community-based-learning-0

Please note: Additional funding will also be given for newly developed or enhanced courses that use the tools and technologies of the digital humanities in at least one individual or collaborative student assignment in the course. Mason’s Digital Scholarship Center is an excellent resource for courses which incorporate DH assignments. They provide one-on-one consultation as well as course support for teaching with digital tools, designing digital projects, working with data visualization, and text mining & analysis. As part of this initiative we will be providing grantees with workshop opportunities to learn how to develop and utilize DH assignments in courses.

Eligibility: All CHSS full-time (tenure-line and term) faculty

Deadlines: Please see the timeline below.

Award amounts: $1,000-$1,800; Please see the detailed descriptions below.

How to participate

1. Complete the intent survey, Due April 15, 2026

AAPI, Asian Diaspora, and Asian American Studies Curriculum Development

NOTE: please wait for the “go-ahead” on your submitted intent. 

2. Choose existing course enhancement or New Course Development

New Courses

New courses due to CHSS curriculum committee from departments by December 1, 2026. Submit new course proposals through your home department’s curriculum approval process. This process will take courses through to their final catalog approvals in Undergraduate or Graduate Council.

Enhanced Courses

Enhancements due to CHSS from faculty by August 15, 2026

Submit enhanced syllabi: chsscurr@gmu.edu

3.  Participate in workshops, panels, and other discussion activities and interest groups related to AAPI teaching and curriculum (we will send you more information)

Questions? chsscurr@gmu.edu

Award Categories