Assignment: Interview Question For Asian American (Korean) Or Korean Immigrants
Migratory Background
1. Where were you born?
Probe: When did you move to the United States (if applicable)?
Length of residence in Los Angeles/CA: Immigration/Citizenship Status:
2. Where did you grow up? (If you moved around a lot, please describe where you mostly resided growing up.)
Probe: Please describe the community in which you grew up: mostly
White, mostly Asian American (which ethnicity), mostly Latino, or mostly African American, or was it quite diverse? If diverse, which ethnicities was the community made-up of?
3. Did you participate in ethnic organizations while growing up, such as church/temple, community centers, cultural performances, etc.?
Probe: Did you associate mostly with friends from school or from your ethnic community while you were in school? Or both?
4. Where did you attend college?
Probe: Did you associate with Koreans/Asian Americans at college? Why?
Probe: Where did you attend graduate school (if applicable)? In what subject(s)?
5. What part does religion play, if at all, in your everyday life?
I: Social Relation
• Are there expectations from your family or community (or your own expectation) on how you go about your home life, such as what you eat, how you decorate, etc.? Do you feel you've lived up to those expectations?
• How often do you cook Korean food? How often do you go out to eat it?
• Why do you live/not live with your parents? Probe: How often do you talk to your family?
[Thinking about the last conversation you had with your parents], what did you talk about?
How does being Korean American affect how you approach a conversation?
• Do you think your relationship with your family members is similar to your friends', co-workers', or members of the community's?
• [For women] how does being a woman shape the expectation of your home life?
Probe: What does being male or female mean? What standards are you held to? What are the empowering possibilities or restrictions associated with any of these male or female roles?
What are the major differences in how men and women are raised in the Korean American community? What are your thoughts on these differences?
In your opinion are there differences in being an American female vs. a Korean American female/American male vs. Korean American male?
• What percentage of your friends is Korean American? Other Asian Americans? Other minorities? Whites?
• Are you religious? Are your Korean American friends religious (i.e., Christian)?
• What did you do the last time you saw your friends? What do you typically do with your friends?
• Do activities ever feel different based on the ethnic background? Example?
• Thinking about your two or three close friends, what leads you to feel close to them?
• Thinking of the last time you talked to your friends, what did you do talk about? Does ethnic background ever come up?
Probe: Do you think you approach the conversation differently if you are talking to a Korean American versus a non-Korean American? Example?
• For socializing, how important are Korean American family and community events?
• Do you belong to any clubs or organizations (ethnic or non-ethnic)? If so, what kinds of activities are you involved in?
• Probe: Are you a part of any Korean American community organization?
What organization(s) do you belong to? What do you like about these organizations?
• Is it important for immigrants to participate in mainstream organizations, or simply ethnic ones? Why?
Probe: Do you think that there needs to be a common bond between ethnic groups in the United States, or do you think that each group can focus mostly on its own needs?
II: Identity and Culture
• When you think about yourself, do you usually think of your self as an/a...? American female, Asian American female, Korean American female, Female American of Korean origin, other;
American male, Asian American male, Korean American male, Male American of Korean origin, other? Probe: Why did you choose this label...? If you chose this (or other label, above), can you recount specific incidents that made you realize your "difference/distinctiveness" from other "Americans?"
What does your Korean American background mean to you? How has that changed over time?
• How do you identify yourself and with which community: Korean American, Asian American, People of Color, Multiracial, or American? Probe: Has your community identification changed over the years?
• Has being a member of an ethnic community helped or hindered you (personally or professionally)?
Probe: What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of your parents' social networks or those of Korean American community?
• Have you ever felt ashamed of your background? Why/why not?
Example of what happened?
• Do you feel a tension between being American and being Korean American?
[If yes] when does that tension come up? How did/do you deal with the tension?
Did you notice any differences between the way your family lives as Korean Americans from the other Korean Americans?
• Have you ever faced personal hostility or discrimination (glass ceiling, rice ceiling, bamboo ceiling, etc.) because of your race, ethnicity, or gender/sexual orientation in school, stores, restaurants, clubs, by a police officer, etc.?
Probe: [If yes] what is the cause of it? If so, how did you deal with it?
What is the best way to combat discrimination? Is discrimination a problem for other groups?
How were you treated during interactions with the police (when you were pulled over)?
(over citations, vehicle stops, or arrests?)
• Do you want to maintain your heritage?
Why/why not?
How can you do this?
Probe: Is it important for your kids to learn about race and ethnicity?
Why? How would you teach children?
If it were up to you, do you think it is important to maintain ties with people in the Korean American community? Why/why not?
How do you connect?
• What television shows do you watch or what movies have you seen lately?
Probe: Have you ever been reminded of your ethnicity while watching? Example?
What is your favorite music artist?
What would you like to read (fiction/nonfiction)?
How were you exposed to and consume Korean culture such as K-pop's as well as home-country media?
Probe: On "consumption" of music, drama, movie, fashion, game, cartoon, cosmetics, other things.
• Do you follow the news in Korea?
Do you pay special attention to news that pertains to Asian Americans who is not Korean American?
• Do you practice Korean/ Korean American culture [what does this mean?]? In what way? What Korean/Korean American cultures that you practice/observe is most important to you? Which events or practices hold most meanings?
• Do you see Korean/Asian culture being practiced in the US? What are the most visible symbols of Korean culture? Which aspects are emphasized the most?
• What are the differences and similarities between Korean Americans and other Asian Americans? Do you find the label Asian American relevant to you? Why/why not? Probe: On the relationship/position of Korean/Chinese/Japanese/ Vietnamese/Filipino/Indian. Points of similarity or conflict.
• Do you frequently go out to Koreatown? How often and for what purposes (e.g.,church, grocery, restaurant/bar, noraebang, community event, etc.)?
• In your opinion how do you see your generation positioned politically-in the US, Korea, or elsewhere?
Do you feel like you are part of the Korean American community? Why or why not? What suggestion(s) do you have for the future of the Korean American community?
Format your assignment according to the following formatting requirements:
1. The answer should be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides.
2. The response also include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student's name, the course title, and the date. The cover page is not included in the required page length.
3. Also Include a reference page. The Citations and references should follow APA format. The reference page is not included in the required page length.