Description of Artwork: The title of the artwork is Cambodian American, set in a familiar azure sky that casts upon the landscape of Cambodia, the United States, and around the world. What is distinctive about the background is a silver impression of Angkor Wat, the iconic and astonishing temple complex of Cambodia treasured by the world and prominently featured on Cambodia’s national flag.
Introduction
The Cambodian American Studies Model Curriculum (CASMC) is a set of open-source lesson plans, primary source documents, planning resources, teaching strategies, and professional development activities designed to enhance existing courses or support educators in course development. Curriculum development was driven by community voices as per Assembly Bill 167 and Senate Bill 369. External organizations and local education agencies that serve the communities of interest hosted multiple opportunities for engagement. During listening sessions, participants explain what content they would like to see in model curricula. Engagement session feedback informs the choice of topics for the curriculum projects. Collaborators included researchers, writers, and community members, many of whom have Cambodian ancestry. The curriculum is designed to assist K–12 educators in teaching about the histories and cultures of Cambodians. This includes:
- Cambodian American history and heritage
- The long-term causes and effects of the Cambodian Genocide
- The experiences of Cambodian Americans coming to the United States
- The establishment of Cambodian American communities
