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Academics: AAS Major

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.

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE BACHELOR OF ARTS DEGREE

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 310: Methodologies in Asian American Studies (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 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 REQUIRED FOR DEGREE: 42

OPTION B: DOUBLE MAJOR/SINGLE SUBJECT WAIVER [~14 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 310: Methodologies in Asian American Studies (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 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 REQUIRED FOR DEGREE: 42

†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.


REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MINOR

AAS MINOR [~8 classes]

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)

UPPER DIVISION REQUIREMENTS: (15 UNITS)

  • Select five of the following:
    • AAS 321: Asian American Fiction (3 units)
    • AAS 325A-B: Asian American Creative Studies Workshop (3 units*)
    • AAS 340: Asian American Women (3 units)
    • AAS 345: Contemporary Issues in Asian American Studies (3 units)
    • AAS 350: Asian American Personality and Mental Health (3 units)
    • AAS 360: Asian American Immigration-Global Perspective (3 units)
    • AAS 450: Asian American Child (3 units)
    • AAS 495: Advanced Seminar in Asian American Studies (3 units)

*Only one course in the AAS 325A-B series may be applied to the minor. Elective in Asian American Studies or related fields may be substituted for the above required courses with prior approval of the minor advisor and the Chair of the department.

TOTAL UNITS REQUIRED FOR DEGREE: 24


GENERAL EDUCATION

GENERAL EDUCATION OVERLAP [~7 classes]

OPTION A: STANDARD MAJOR

For Option A, the following courses may be counted for the Standard Major and General Education:

Section A.2

AAS 201

Section B

AAS 453

Section C.1

AAS 220 or AAS 321

Section D

AAS 210 or AAS 350

Section E

AAS 230 or AAS 390

Section F.2

AAS 360

Section F.3

AAS 100, AAS 340, or AAS 345

 

OPTION B: STANDARD MAJOR

For Option B, the following courses may be counted for the Double Major and General Education:

Section A

AAS 450

Section B

AAS 453

Section C.1

AAS 220 or AAS 321

Section D

AAS 210 or AAS 350

Section E

AAS 230 or AAS 390

Section F.2

AAS 360

Section F.3

AAS 100 or AAS 340

 

MINOR†[~5 classes]

The following courses may be counted for the Minor and General Education:

Section C.1

AAS 220 or AAS 321

Section D

AAS 210 or AAS 350

Section E

AAS 230

Section F.2

AAS 360

Section F.3

AAS 100, AAS 340, or AAS 345