In recent years, teachers of introductory courses in
Asian American studies have been facing a dilemma
nonexistent a few decades ago, when hardly any texts
in that field were available. Today, excellent antho-
(5) logies and other introductory texts exist, and books on
individual Asian American nationality groups and on
general issues important for Asian Americans are
published almost weekly. Even professors who are
experts in the field find it difficult to decide which of
(10) these to assign to students; nonexperts who teach in
related areas and are looking for writings for and by
Asian American to include in survey courses are in an
even worse position.
A complicating factor has been the continuing lack
(15) of specialized one-volume reference works on Asian
Americans, such as biographical dictionaries or desktop
encyclopedias. Such works would enable students
taking Asian American studies courses (and professors
in related fields) to look up basic information on Asian
(20) American individuals, institutions, history, and culture
without having to wade through mountains of primary
source material. In addition, give such works, Asian
American studies professors might feel more free to
include more challenging Asian American material in
(25) their introductory reading lists, since good reference
works allow students to acquire on their own the back-
ground information necessary to interpret difficult or
unfamiliar material.