The department offers content courses in Asian American studies, houses the Asian/Asian American Studies undergraduate certificate (see below), the Asian American Studies Living/Learning Community, and develops programming for the interdisciplinary
field, such as the annual Undergraduate Symposium on Asians in the Americas and
the Diaspora. The field of Asian
American studies explores the politics and history of racialization of
Asian-descent peoples, including East, South, Southeast, and Southwest Asian
Americans, both within the United States and in the Americas. These multiple diasporic groups share
historical and legal connections with other racial and ethnic groups in the
United States.
Undergraduate Certificate in Asian/Asian American Studies
The Department of American Studies (AMS) and the Department of Asian Languages and Cultures (ALC) offer in cooperation a certificate in Asian/Asian American studies (13 credits) comprised of Asian American studies-content courses offered in American studies, English, history, anthropology, among other units; and courses in English on aspects of modern Asian cultures offered by ALC.
The certificate in Asian/Asian American studies is intended for students majoring in other disciplines in the School of Arts and Sciences (SAS), planning or already pursuing careers in education, business, international relations, policy, law, medicine and allied health professions, medical research, public health, or global development. It is anticipated that students may earn the certificate as part of their intercultural learning and training in the course of an undergraduate degree as a supplement or as continuing education for those pursuing careers in social work, health policy, education, among other career paths in which diverse cultural knowledge and learning is necessary. Some examples of potential alumni of the certificate program might be:
- educators, all levels;
- health professionals, including general practitioners, specialists, and nurses;
- immigration and law enforcement officials;
- legal professionals; and
- social workers.
Requirements for Undergraduate Certificate Program
- Complete two contemporary Asian culture courses in English with a grade of C or better from the course list.
- Complete two Asian American studies-content courses with a grade of C or better from the course list.
- Complete an additional credit-bearing Asian American-content course (1 or 1.5 credit[s], Byrne Seminars, First-Year Interest Group Seminars [FIGS], learning community, or independent study).
- Register with SAS American studies for the certificate in Asian/Asian American studies.
