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Students will consider how changes to the United States policy and the impact of the Refugee Act of 1980 impacted Cambodian Refugees including resettlement in the United States.

Dan Durke’s Gardena High School ID card from 1984-1985. Dan hadn’t changed his name yet and is identified by his original name: Maysak Doeuk. Dan graduated in 1987.

The Cambodian Refugee Experience

Cambodian American Studies

HSS 11.11.7

RI.11-12.3

W.11-12.4

Students will explore the waves of Cambodian immigrants to the United States, understand the causes behind each wave, consider the challenges faced by the 1.5 generation, and examine how intergenerational trauma can affect young Cambodian Americans while relating these experiences to their own lives.

UN Genocide Convention: UN Task Force Simulation

Cambodian American Studies

HSS 10.9.8

RI.9-10.4

W.9-10.4

By analyzing the language of the United Nations Genocide Convention and the international definition of genocide, students will assess the significance and impacts of the genocide label, and evaluate how well the UN's definition captures the complexities of the Cambodian Genocide.

High Level Segment of the 49rd regular session of the Human Rights Council

The Aftermath of the Cambodian Genocide from a Human Rights Perspective

Cambodian American Studies

HSS 10.9

RI.9-10.7

W.9-10.4

Students will analyze sources to understand the political, social, and economical consequences of the Genocide and how they constitute a human right violation from the UNHRC perspective.

Agents of Change: Students in Civic Action

Cambodian American Studies

HSS 11.11

RL.11-12.1

W.11-12.7

Students will develop an understanding of civic engagement within Cambodian communities by identifying a specific issue, planning a project to address it, and presenting their proposals to the class.

Area of Study 4: Community Building and Healing

Area of Study 3: Cambodian Diaspora

Area of Study 2: Genocide in Cambodia

Area of Study 1: Introduction to Cambodian History

Celebrating Pchum Ben

Cambodian American Studies

W.6.8

HSS 6.5.5

RI.6.4

Students will develop a deeper understanding of Buddhist tradition in Cambodian culture in the United States. Students will also be able to reflect on their own culture in regards to how they have maintained their heritage growing up.

The Cambodian Buddhist Temple in Silver Spring, Maryland. The Cambodian Buddhist Society, where Master Chum teaches many students, is based at the Temple. Photo by Edwin Remsberg, Courtesy of the Maryland State Arts Council

Mainstay of Cambodian American Culture: Healing and Buddhism

Cambodian American Studies

HSS 11.11

RI.11-12.1

W.11-12.3

Students will be able to identify and explain how Buddhism, including the wat and sangha supported the healing process of many Cambodian Americans.

Ted Ngoy in 1977 in front of his first doughnut shop.

Donuts and Pink Boxes: Form of Resilience

Cambodian American Studies

RI.9-10.1

RI.9-10.3

W.9-10.9

Students will reflect on the life of Cambodians and Cambodian Americans in America, focusing on their journey of resiliency and the symbolic story of donuts and pink boxes.

Building Community Through Public Art

Cambodian American Studies

5.MA:RE7

RI.4.4

Students will gain an understanding of how artists can build community awareness of Cambodian American culture through public art including the Cambodia Town Mural Project. Students will also learn how artists use community engagement to highlight experiences of others.

Exploring an Ethnic Enclave: Cambodia Town, USA

Cambodian American Studies

W.11-12.1

HSS 11.11.1

RI.11-12.7

Students will be able to understand what ethnic enclaves are through analyzing data on factors affecting employment, education, and health to explore the community and identity within Cambodian enclaves.

Performers help each other get dressed for their performances at Cambodian New Year in Long Beach. The woman is being helped with her kbun. An 8’ length of silk is wrapped around her waist toward the front. The length of cloth will be twisted and pulled to her back between her legs. It is held in place with a belt.

Cambodian American Memory Work

Cambodian American Studies

RL.9-10.2

RL.9-10.6

W.9-10.2

By engaging with various cultural products such as literature, artwork, performance, fashion, and media. Students will use cultural products to create memories and to heal the injustices of the past.

Cambodian American Poetry

Cambodian American Studies

RL.11-12.5

W.11-12.3

W.11-12.7

Students will interact and critically analyze poetry by Cambodian American poets to connect universal thematic ideas of human experience/human condition, specifically to Cambodian diaspora.

The Cambodian Arts Preservation Group dance troupe performs the Blessing Dance

Dance as Cultural Memory

Cambodian American Studies

RI.9-10.7

W.9-10.1

In this lesson, students will gain an understanding of elements, purpose, and cultural significance of traditional Cambodian dance. Students will also explore why traditional dance is considered a crucial link to Cambodian history and how efforts to preserve it have been made by refugees. Finally, they will develop skills in using primary and secondary sources to express their thoughts both orally and in writing.

Two relatives of Cambodian Genocide survivors

Generational Trauma and Cambodian Americans

Cambodian American Studies

RL.11-12.4

W.11-12.2

HSS 11.11.7

Students will be able to define generational trauma and link past Cambodian American experiences to generational trauma.

Two Long Beach high school students, Vong York (left) and Ra Chim portray a young couple engaging in playful flirtation in the final scene depicted in the popular folk dance Robam Nesat or “The Fishing Dance.” Ra Chim sits on the ang rut, the bell-shaped fishing trap used to catch larger fish in shallow waters, used by the young men in the dance. She holds the chhneang, braided bamboo baskets that act as strainers, used by young women in the dance. The scene depicts the couple’s courtship and falling in lov

Reflection from the Past: Building Resiliency

Cambodian American Studies

RI.5.1

W.5.1

Students will explore the concept of resiliency through the Cambodian experience, engaging in group discussions to define and relate the concept to their own lived experiences. This exploration will empower students to identify personal steps for overcoming obstacles and fostering resilience in their lives.

Aerial view of the tents and latrines set up for the Cambodian evacuees at Camp Pendleton in 1975. (David Kreng Collection)

Cambodian Refugees: Building Community and Maintaining Cultural Connection

Cambodian American Studies

Students will analyze the experiences of Cambodian refugees in Southern California. Through this lens, students will research and learn about the immigrant experience of those in their own community.