Asian American Studies Major
Asian American Studies Students at the 2009 Fashion Show (from the AAS Popular Culture Class).
Asian American Studies is a multidisciplinary field that analyzes the experience and contributions of people of Asian ancestry in the United States. Students can expect to gain an appreciation for the diversity and complexities of this experience and to be able to apply their knowledge to issues in the social sciences, humanities, education, business, and other related fields.
Below, you will find the requirements for a Standard AAS Major (Option A) and a Double Major (Option B)
MAJOR REQUIREMENTS
OPTION A: STANDARD MAJOR [~14 classes]
I. AAS CORE COURSES: (15 UNITS)
- AAS 100: Introduction to Asian American Studies (3 units)
- AAS 201: Race, Racism, and Critical Thinking (3 units)
- AAS 210: History of Asians in America (3 units)
- AAS 220: Survey of Asian American Literature (3 units)
- AAS 390: Asian American Communities: Field Practicum (3 units)
II. COMMUNITY STUDIES: (6 UNITS)
Select two of the following:
- AAS 311: Grounding Theories: Community Based Research in AAS (3 units)
- AAS 345: Contemporary Issues in Asian American Studies (3 units)
- AAS 347: Asian American Legal & Political History (3 units)
- AAS 360: Asian American Immigration-Global Perspective (3 units)
- AAS 361A-Z Asian American Experience of Selected Groups (3)
- AAS 440: Urbanization and Asian American Communities (3 units)
III. CULTURAL AND LITERARY STUDIES: (6 UNITS)
Select two of the following:
- AAS 230: Asian Americans and the Media (3 units)
- AAS 321: Asian American Fiction (3 units)
- AAS 325A-B: Asian American Creative Studies Workshop (3 units*)
- AAS 420: Asian American Literary Self-Representations (3 units)
- AAS 430: Asian Americans and Popular Culture (3 units)
IV. SOCIAL RELATIONS, FAMILY, AND GENDER STUDIES: (6 UNITS)
Select two of the following:
- AAS 340: Asian American Women (3 units)
- AAS 350: Asian American Personality and Mental Health (3 units)
- AAS 355: Biracial and Multiracial Identity (3 units)
- AAS 455: Asian American Sexuality (3 units)
- AAS 453: Asian American Families (3 units)
V. ELECTIVES: (6 UNITS)
Select six units of electives either in Asian American Studies or from another department with permission from advisor. Intermediate language study in an appropriate Asian or Pacific Island language is highly recommended and would qualify under this section.
VI. SENIOR CAPSTONE: (3 UNITS)
Select one of the following:
- AAS 495: Advanced Seminar in Asian American Studies (3 units)
- AAS 497: Senior Thesis (3 units)†
Total Units in the Major : 42
General Education Units : 48
Additional Units : 30
Total Units Required for a BA : 120
OPTION B: DOUBLE MAJOR/SINGLE SUBJECT WAIVER[~10 classes]
For students who want to double major in Asian American Studies and second field of study or pursue a single subject waiver.† [~10 classes]
I. AAS CORE COURSES: (9 UNITS)
- AAS 100: Introduction to Asian American Studies (3 units)
- AAS 210: History of Asians in America (3 units)
- AAS 220: Survey of Asian American Literature (3 units)
II. COMMUNITY STUDIES: (6 UNITS)
Select two of the following:
- AAS 311: Grounding Theories: Community Based Research in AAS (3 units)
- AAS 345: Contemporary Issues in Asian American Studies (3 units)
- AAS 347: Asian American Legal & Political History (3 units)
- AAS 360: Asian American Immigration-Global Perspective (3 units)
- AAS 361A-Z : Asian American Experience of Selected Groups (3)
- AAS 390 : Asian American Communities: Field Practicum (3)
- AAS 440: Urbanization and Asian American Communities (3 units)
III. CULTURAL AND LITERARY STUDIES: (6 UNITS)
Select two of the following:
- AAS 230: Asian Americans and the Media (3 units)
- AAS 321: Asian American Fiction (3 units)
- AAS 325A-B: Asian American Creative Studies Workshop (3 units*)
- AAS 420: Asian American Literary Self-Representations (3 units)
- AAS 430: Asian Americans and Popular Culture (3 units)
IV. SOCIAL RELATIONS, FAMILY, AND GENDER STUDIES: (6 UNITS)
Select two of the following:
- AAS 340: Asian American Women (3 units)
- AAS 350: Asian American Personality and Mental Health (3 units)
- AAS 355: Biracial and Multiracial Identity (3 units)
- AAS 455: Asian American Sexuality (3 units)
- AAS 453: Asian American Families (3 units)
V. SENIOR CAPSTONE: (3 UNITS)
Select one of the following:
- AAS 495: Advanced Seminar in Asian American Studies (3 units)
- AAS 497: Senior Thesis (3 units)†
Total Units in the Major: 30
General Education Units: 48
Additional Units: 42
TOTAL UNITS REQUIRED FOR A B.A. DEGREE: 120
†SECOND MAJOR OR SINGLE SUBJECT WAIVER PROGRAM
Three to six units of intermediate study of an Asian or Pacific Island language are highly recommended and may be substituted for courses in Option A or B with the approval of a department advisor. Special topics courses, experimental topics courses, and/or independent study in Asian American Studies may be substituted for required courses in either major option with the permission of an advisor.
GENERAL EDUCATION OVERLAP
OPTION A : STANDARD MAJOR:
The following courses may be counted for the Standard Major and General Education;
- GE Section A2 (Critical Thinking) - AAS 201
- GE Section C (Arts and Humanities) - AAS 220, AAS 321
- GE Section D (Social Sciences) - AAS 210, AAS 350
- GE Section E (Lifelong Learning) - AAS 230, 340, 345, or 360
- Title V (1) - AAS 347 IC (Information Competencies), AAS 311
OPTION B : DOUBLE MAJOR:
The following courses may be counted for the Double Major and General Education;
- GE Section C (Arts and Humanities) - AAS 220, AAS 321
- GE Section D (Social Sciences) - AAS 210, AAS 350
- GE Section E (Lifelong Learning) - AAS 230, AAS 390
- GE Section F (Comparative Cultural Studies) - AAS 100, 340, 345, or 360
- Title V (1) - AAS 347
- IC (Information Competencies) - AAS 311
- Multicultural Credential Section A - AAS 450
- Multicultural Credential Section B - AAS 453