About the Program
Bachelor of Arts (BA)
The Asian American and Asian Diaspora Studies major is dedicated to the multidisciplinary study of historical and contemporary experiences of Asian-ancestry groups in local, national and global contexts. Although attention is focused on Asians in the U.S., the program situates the experiences, contributions, issues and concerns of Asian American communities within their larger transnational and diasporic contexts.
Connections among Asian communities in the U.S. and around the world are explored in terms of the entangled histories and circuits of migration and the interconnected space through which people, capital, ideas, influences, and activism flow between Asia and the U.S. and among Asian diasporic communities.
Honors Program
The Asian American and Asian Diaspora Studies Program provides a program leading to the Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree with honors. A student must have senior standing; a 3.5 GPA overall; and 3.5 GPA in the major. To complete the degree with honors the student will be required to undertake a 6-unit research project (ASAMST H195A and ASAMST H195B) and will be graded according to standards determined by the faculty adviser as being of honors quality.
Minor Program
The Department offers a minor in Asian American and Asian Diaspora Studies. For further information regarding how to declare the minor, please see the program's website .
Other Majors and Minors offered by the Department of Ethnic Studies
Chicano/Latino Studies
(Major and Minor)
Ethnic Studies
(Group Major and Group Minor)
Native American Studies
(Major and Minor)
Major Requirements
In addition to the University, campus, and college requirements, listed on the College Requirements tab, students must fulfill the below requirements specific to their major program.
General Guidelines
- All courses taken to fulfill the major requirements below must be taken for graded credit, other than courses listed which are offered on a Pass/Fail basis only. Other exceptions to this requirement are noted as applicable.
- No more than one upper-division course may be used to simultaneously fulfill requirements for a student's major and minor programs, with the exception of minors offered outside of the College of Letters and Science.
- A minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 must be maintained in both upper- and lower-division courses used to fulfill the major requirements.
For information regarding residence requirements and unit requirements, please see the College Requirements tab.
Lower-division Major Requirements
| ASAMST 20A | Introduction to the History of Asians in the United States | 4 |
| ASAMST 20B | Course Not Available | 4 |
| or ASAMST 20C | Cultural Politics and Practices in Asian American Communities | |
| Select two courses from the following: | 8 | |
| A History of Race and Ethnicity in Western North America, 1598-Present | ||
| Theories and Concepts in Comparative Ethnic Studies An Introduction | ||
| Introduction to Ethnic Studies | ||
| A Comparative Survey of Racial and Ethnic Groups in the U.S | ||
| A Comparative Survey of Protest Movements Since the 60's | ||
Upper-division Major Requirements
| ASAMST 131 | Asian Diaspora(s) from an Asian American Perspective | 4 |
| ETH STD 101A | Social Science Methods in Ethnic Studies | 4 |
| or ETH STD 101B | Humanities Methods in Ethnic Studies | |
| ASAMST 197 | Field Study in Asian American Communities (4 units total required) | 1-3 |
| Select one of the following History courses: | ||
| Chinese American History | ||
| Japanese American History | ||
| Korean American History | ||
| Filipino American History | ||
| Southeast Asian Migration and Community Formation | ||
| South Asian American Historical and Contemporary Issues | ||
| Muslims in America | ||
| Select one of the following Community Studies courses: | ||
| Contemporary Issues of Southeast Asian Refugees in the U.S | ||
| Islamophobia and Constructing Otherness | ||
| Law in the Asian American Community | ||
| Asian American Health | ||
| Religions of Asian America | ||
ASAMST 145 | Course Not Available | |
| Asian Americans and Education | ||
| Gender and Generation in Asian American Families | ||
| Asian American Women: Theory and Experience | ||
| Research Methodologies in Asian American Communities | ||
| Select one of the following Cultural Studies courses: | ||
| Topics in Asian Popular Culture | ||
| Asian Americans in Film and Video | ||
| Asian American Literature | ||
| Creative Writing | ||
| Contemporary Narratives on the Philippines and the United States | ||
| Genre in Asian American Literature | ||
| Asian American Art: Remapping Modernity: Art and Artists in the 20th Century | ||
| Chinese American Literature | ||
| Korean American Literature | ||
| Select two additional electives 1 | ||
| 1 | Electives can be satisfied with related courses from outside departments (i.e., Asian Studies, East Asian Languages & Cultures, History, South & Southeast Asian Studies), Asian language courses, EAP courses from an Asian university, additional courses from the Asian American and Asian Diaspora Studies Curriculum, or related coursework from other UC campuses. |
Minor Requirements
Students who have a strong interest in an area of study outside their major often decide to complete a minor program. These programs have set requirements and are noted officially on the transcript in the memoranda section, but are not noted on diplomas.
General Guidelines
- All courses taken to fulfill the minor requirements below must be taken for graded credit.
- A minimum of three of the upper-division courses taken to fulfill the minor requirements must be completed at UC Berkeley.
- A minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 is required for courses used to fulfill the minor requirements.
- Courses used to fulfill the minor requirements may be applied toward the Seven-Course Breadth Requirement, for Letters and Science students.
- No more than one upper-division course may be used to simultaneously fulfill requirements for a student's major and minor programs.
- All minor requirements must be completed prior to the last day of finals during the semester in which you plan to graduate. If you cannot finish all courses required for the minor by that time, please see a College of Letters and Science adviser.
- All minor requirements must be completed within the unit ceiling. (For further information regarding the unit ceiling, please see the College Requirements tab.)
Requirements
| Upper-division | ||
| Select five of the following: | ||
| Chinese American History | ||
| Japanese American History | ||
| Korean American History | ||
| Filipino American History | ||
| Contemporary Issues of Southeast Asian Refugees in the U.S | ||
| Southeast Asian Migration and Community Formation | ||
| South Asian American Historical and Contemporary Issues | ||
| Muslims in America | ||
| Asian Diaspora(s) from an Asian American Perspective | ||
| Islamophobia and Constructing Otherness | ||
| Topics in Asian Popular Culture | ||
| Law in the Asian American Community | ||
| Asian American Health | ||
| Religions of Asian America | ||
ASAMST 145 | Course Not Available | |
| Asian Americans and Education | ||
| Gender and Generation in Asian American Families | ||
| Asian American Women: Theory and Experience | ||
| Research Methodologies in Asian American Communities | ||
| Asian Americans in Film and Video | ||
| Asian American Literature | ||
| Creative Writing | ||
| Contemporary Narratives on the Philippines and the United States | ||
| Genre in Asian American Literature | ||
| Asian American Art: Remapping Modernity: Art and Artists in the 20th Century | ||
| Chinese American Literature | ||
| Korean American Literature | ||
| Seminar on Advanced Topics in Asian American Studies | ||
| Seminar on Advanced Topics in Asian American Studies | ||
College Requirements
Undergraduate students in the College of Letters and Science must fulfill the following requirements in addition to those required by their major program.
For detailed lists of courses that fulfill college requirements, please see the College of Letters and Sciences page in this bulletin.
Entry Level Writing
All students who will enter the University of California as freshmen must demonstrate their command of the English language by fulfilling the Entry Level Writing Requirement. Fulfillment of this requirement is also a prerequisite to enrollment in all reading and composition courses at UC Berkeley.
American History and American Institutions
The American History and Institutions requirements are based on the principle that a U.S. resident graduated from an American university should have an understanding of the history and governmental institutions of the United States.
American Cultures
American Cultures is the one requirement that all undergraduate students at Cal need to take and pass in order to graduate. The requirement offers an exciting intellectual environment centered on the study of race, ethnicity and culture of the United States. AC courses offer students opportunities to be part of research-led, highly accomplished teaching environments, grappling with the complexity of American Culture.
Quantitative Reasoning
The Quantitative Reasoning requirement is designed to ensure that students graduate with basic understanding and competency in math, statistics, or computer science. The requirement may be satisfied by exam or by taking an approved course.
Foreign Language
The Foreign Language requirement may be satisfied by demonstrating proficiency in reading comprehension, writing, and conversation in a foreign language equivalent to the second semester college level, either by passing an exam or by completing approved course work.
Reading and Composition
In order to provide a solid foundation in reading, writing and critical thinking the College requires two semesters of lower division work in composition. Students must complete a first-level reading and composition course by the end of their second semester and a second-level course by the end of their fourth semester.
Breadth Requirements
The undergraduate breadth requirements provide Berkeley students with a rich and varied educational experience outside of their major program. As the foundation of a liberal arts education, breadth courses give students a view into the intellectual life of the University while introducing them to a multitude of perspectives and approaches to research and scholarship. Engaging students in new disciplines and with peers from other majors, the breadth experience strengthens interdisciplinary connections and context that prepares Berkeley graduates to understand and solve the complex issues of their day.
Unit Requirements
-
120 total units, including at least 60 L&S units
-
Of the 120 units, 36 must be upper division units
- Of the 36 upper division units, 6 must be taken in courses offered outside your major department
Residence Requirements
For units to be considered in "residence," you must be registered in courses on the Berkeley campus as a student in the College of Letters and Science. Most students automatically fulfill the residence requirement by attending classes here for four years. In general, there is no need to be concerned about this requirement, unless you go abroad for a semester or year or want to take courses at another institution or through University Extension during your senior year. In these cases, you should make an appointment to see an adviser to determine how you can meet the Senior Residence Requirement.
Note: Courses taken through UC Extension do not count toward residence.
Senior Residence Requirement
After you become a senior (with 90 semester units earned toward your B.A. degree), you must complete at least 24 of the remaining 30 units in residence in at least two semesters. To count as residence, a semester must consist of at least 6 passed units. Intercampus Visitor, EAP, and UC Berkeley-Washington Program (UCDC) units are excluded.
You may use a Berkeley summer session to satisfy one semester of the Senior Residence Requirement, provided that you successfully complete 6 units of course work in the Summer Session and that you have been enrolled previously in the College.
Modified Senior Residence Requirement
Participants in the UC Education Abroad Program (EAP) or the UC Berkeley-Washington Program (UCDC) may meet a Modified Senior Residence Requirement by completing 24 (excluding EAP) of their final 60 semester units in residence. At least 12 of these 24 units must be completed after you have completed 90 units.
Upper Division Residence Requirement
You must complete in residence a minimum of 18 units of upper division courses (excluding EAP units), 12 of which must satisfy the requirements for your major.
Advising
Departmental Major Advising
We strive to deliver personalized advising services of the highest quality. We seek to continuously educate ourselves on developments in our field and to evaluate, improve, and streamline our services to support students in obtaining the best education and experience possible.
Advising Staff and Advising Hours
Dewey St. Germaine: Monday-Friday, 9:00am-11:30am and 1:30pm-4:00pm, or by appointment
530 Barrows Hall
deweystg@berkeley.edu
510-643-6420
Laura Jimenez-Olvera: Monday-Friday, 9:00am-11:30am and 1:30pm-4:00pm, or by appointment
532 Barrows Hall
lauraj@berkeley.edu
510-642-0243
Mailing Address
Department of Ethnic Studies
506 Barrows Hall #2570
University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, CA 94720-2570
Student Learning Goals
Learning Goals for the Major
Undergraduates are expected to obtain the following skills by the time they graduate. These skills belong to five different general areas: historical knowledge, empirical knowledge and quantitative methods, interpretation and qualitative analysis, theory and critique, and community service. They are:
- Historical Knowledge
- Familiarity with the history of modern Western civilization, including European expansion, conquest, and enslavement
- Specific knowledge of the modern history of at least three different ethno-racial groups
- Acquaintance with debates in historiography, particularly as they relate to the use of history in relation to the understanding of people of color
- For students who specialize in history, proper use of primary and secondary historical sources, as well as the writing of scholarly historical work
- Empirical Knowledge and Quantitative Methods
- Familiarity with different methods of gathering empirical data about human communities (anthropological, sociological, etc.)
- Knowledge of critical debates about the use and implications of traditional methods of gathering empirical data to obtain knowledge about communities of color
- Identification of proper methods to conduct research, and awareness of the limits and possibilities of such methods
- Creative use, delimitation, and expansion of methods of empirical and quantitative study based on the nature of the problems and questions addressed in the research as well as the object of study
- Interpretation and Qualitative Analysis
- Acquaintance with major methods and debates in the humanities
- Familiarity with the art, film, literature, or music of at least three different ethno-racial groups
- Identification of proper methods to conduct research about the creative products of human communities, and ethno-racial communities in particular
- Creative use, delimitation, and expansion of methods of qualitative analysis based on the nature of the problems and questions addressed in the research as well as the object of study
- Theory and Critique
- Familiarity with major theories of race and ethnicity, and their intersections and constitutive relations with class, gender, and sexuality
- Acquaintance with theories of space and place, including indigeneity, Diaspora, migration, and nation, as well as their use in determining the unit of analysis.
- Use of comparison and contrast for evaluating and producing theory as well as for critical analysis.
- Creative use of philosophies and theories that are relevant to the understanding and critical analysis of the social contexts, interpersonal dynamics, and multiple creative productions of ethno-racial communities.
- Service Learning
- Further refinement and enrichment of the above listed skills in settings where the students interact with communities of color and/or their productions.
Academic Opportunities
Berkeley Connect in Ethnic Studies
Berkeley Connect in Ethnic Studies matches interested students with Ethnic Studies graduate student mentors in a semester-long, 1-unit program that includes individual advising, small-group discussions, special events and excursions. Through this program, you will become part of a community of like-minded faculty, mentors, and students that will provide a supportive environment in which to exchange and discuss ideas and goals. Berkeley Connect will help you to make the most of your time at the university as you learn more about the majors offered through the Department of Ethnic Studies. For further information, please see the Berkeley Connect website .
Study Abroad
The Asian American and Asian Diaspora Studies program encourages all undergraduate majors to consider study abroad opportunities. Whether you are interested in fulfilling major and/or general education requirements, taking courses related to a future career, improving or learning language skills, or simply living and studying in a country that is of interest to you, we will work with you to make it happen. For information about Study Abroad programs, please see the Berkeley Study Abroad website .
Prizes and Awards
The Department of Ethnic Studies offers the Dr. Carlos Munoz Jr. Scholar/Activist Scholarship. This scholarship is awarded each semester and recognizes students who have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement, leadership and activism in their community on and off campus.
Courses
Asian American and Asian Diaspora Studies
ASAMST R2A Reading and Composition 4 Units
Through the study of the literary, political, social and psychological dimensions of representative works of Asian American literature, this course introduces students to close textual analysis, fosters critical judgment, and reinforces academic writing skills. Satisfies the first half of the Reading and Composition requirement.
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: 1, UC Entry Level Writing Requirement or equivalent
Requirements this course satisfies: Satisfies the first half of the Reading and Composition requirement
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture and 1 hour of discussion per week
Summer:
6 weeks - 7.5 hours of lecture and 2.5 hours of discussion per week
8 weeks - 6 hours of lecture and 2 hours of discussion per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Asian American Studies/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Final exam not required.
Formerly known as: 2A
ASAMST R2B Reading and Composition 4 Units
This course examines literary works by Asian American, African American, Chicano, and Native American writers in their political and social contexts, focusing on similarities and differences between the experiences of ethnic minorities in the U.S. Emphasis is on literary interpretation and sustained analytical writing. Satisfies the second half of the Reading and Composition requirement.
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: 2A, English 1A or equivalent
Requirements this course satisfies: Satisfies the second half of the Reading and Composition requirement
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture and 1 hour of discussion per week
Summer:
6 weeks - 7.5 hours of lecture and 2.5 hours of discussion per week
8 weeks - 6 hours of lecture and 2 hours of discussion per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Asian American Studies/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Final exam not required.
Formerly known as: 2B
ASAMST 20A Introduction to the History of Asians in the United States 4 Units
Introductory comparative analysis of the Asian American experience from 1848 to present. Topics include an analysis of the Asian American perspective; cultural roots; immigration and settlement patterns; labor, legal, political, and social history.
Rules & Requirements
Credit Restrictions: Students will receive no credit for Asian American Studies 20A after taking XAsian American Studies 20A but may remove a deficient grade.<BR/>
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture and 1 hour of discussion per week
Summer:
6 weeks - 10 hours of lecture per week
8 weeks - 6 hours of lecture and 2 hours of discussion per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Asian American Studies/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Final exam required.
ASAMST 20AC Asian American Communities and Race Relations 4 Units
This course will be a survey of contemporary issues affecting the Asian American community. We will look at the different theories that explain the current status of Asian Americans and the interrelationship between the Asian American community, nation, and world. The course will focus on the issue of race relations, the commonalities and differences between Asian Americans and other race and ethnic groups.
Rules & Requirements
Credit Restrictions: Students who have already taken ASAMST 20B are not eligible to receive credit for ASAMST 20AC.
Requirements this course satisfies: Satisfies the American Cultures requirement
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture and 1 hour of discussion per week
Summer: 6 weeks - 7.5 hours of lecture and 2.5 hours of discussion per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Asian American Studies/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Final exam required.
Formerly known as: Asian American Studies 20B
ASAMST 20C Cultural Politics and Practices in Asian American Communities 4 Units
Analysis of social, intellectual, and artistic currents in Asian American communities. Focus will be on social practices, popular culture, the arts and expression (e.g. language and literature), and the historical and political contexts in which they are produced and consumed.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture and 1 hour of discussion per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Asian American Studies/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Final exam required.
ASAMST 97 Field Studies in Asian American Communities 1 - 3 Units
University organized and supervised field program involving experiences in schools, school-related activities, community and community-related activities.
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Restricted to freshmen and sophomores; consent of instructor
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit. Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3-9 hours of fieldwork per week
Summer:
6 weeks - 7.5-22.5 hours of fieldwork per week
10 weeks - 4.5-13.5 hours of fieldwork per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Asian American Studies/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Offered for pass/not pass grade only. Final exam not required.
ASAMST 98 Supervised Group Study 1 - 3 Units
Group study of selected topics which will vary from semester to semester.
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Restricted to freshmen and sophomores; consent of instructor
Credit Restrictions: Enrollment is restricted; see the Introduction to Courses and Curricula section of this catalog.
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit. Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 1-3 hours of directed group study per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Asian American Studies/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Offered for pass/not pass grade only. Final exam not required.
ASAMST 99 Supervised Independent Study and Research 1 - 4 Units
Individual research on a topic which leads to the writing of a major paper. Regular meetings with faculty sponsor.
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Consent of instuructor; limited to freshman and sophmores. Consent of instructor
Credit Restrictions: Enrollment is restricted; see the Introduction to Courses and Curricula section of this catalog.
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit. Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 1-4 hours of independent study per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Asian American Studies/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Offered for pass/not pass grade only. Final exam not required.
ASAMST 121 Chinese American History 4 Units
Chinese American history, 1848 to present. Topics include influence of traditional values, Eastern and Western; patterns of immigration and settlement; labor history; the influence of public policy, foreign and domestic, on the Chinese individual and community.
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: 20A or equivalent
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture and 0-1 hours of discussion per week
Summer: 6 weeks - 7.5 hours of lecture per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Asian American Studies/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Final exam required.
ASAMST 122 Japanese American History 4 Units
This course will be presented as a proseminar with selected topics in order to give students an opportunity to participate in the dynamics of the study of Japanese American history. Topics include immigration, anti-Japanese racism, labor, concentration camps, agriculture, art and literature, and personality and culture.
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: 20A or equivalent
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture and 0-1 hours of discussion per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Asian American Studies/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Final exam required.
ASAMST 123 Korean American History 4 Units
Koreans in America from 1876 to the present. Topics include comparative immigration and settlement patterns; labor and socio-economic life; political activities; community organization; and issues related to the contemporary population influx.
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: 20A or equivalent
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture and 0-1 hours of discussion per week
Summer: 6 weeks - 7.5 hours of lecture and 0-2.5 hours of discussion per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Asian American Studies/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Final exam required.
ASAMST 124 Filipino American History 4 Units
Topics include consequences of the Spanish-American War on Filipino emigration; conditions in Hawaii and California and the need for Filipino labor; community development; changing relations between the U.S. and the Philippines; effects ofthe independence movement and World War II on Filipino Americans; and contemporary issues.
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: 20A or equivalent
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture and 0-1 hours of discussion per week
Summer:
6 weeks - 7.5 hours of lecture and 0-2.5 hours of discussion per week
8 weeks - 6 hours of lecture and 0-2 hours of discussion per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Asian American Studies/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Final exam required.
ASAMST 125 Contemporary Issues of Southeast Asian Refugees in the U.S 4 Units
This course will introduce students to the sociocultural, economic, educational, and political issues facing Southeast Asian refugees in the U.S. While the course focus is on the Asian American experience, references will be made to the pre-migration experiences and histories of the Southeast Asian refugee groups. The processes and problems in the formulation of refugee programs and services in the U.S. also will be addressed in their implications for refugee resettlement and adaptation experience. Emphasis will be placed on comparative analyses of the Southeast Asian refugee communities.
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: 20A or equivalent
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture and 0-1 hours of discussion per week
Summer: 6 weeks - 7.5 hours of lecture per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Asian American Studies/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Final exam required.
ASAMST 126 Southeast Asian Migration and Community Formation 4 Units
This course will examine Southeast Asian migration and resettlement in the U.S. in the context of the United States involvement in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia during the Vietnam War. It will also address the post-war "legacies" and their impact on the societies and politics of the three countries as well as neighboring states in the region. Asylum politics and refugee camp experiences will be addressed in the discussion of the formation of U.S. resettlement policies and of the adaptation of Southeast Asian refugees.
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: 20A or equivalent
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture and 0-1 hours of discussion per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Asian American Studies/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Final exam required.
ASAMST 127 South Asian American Historical and Contemporary Issues 4 Units
Examines immigration and social history of South Asian Americans from the early 20th century to present. Development of South Asian American communities within the social, political and economic contexts of South Asia and the U.S.
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: 20A or equivalent
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Asian American Studies/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Final exam required.
ASAMST 128AC Muslims in America 4 Units
The course traces Islam's journey in America. It will deal with the emergence of identifiable Muslim communities throughout the U.S. and focus on patterns of migration, the ethnic makeup of such communities, gender dynamics, political identity, and cases of conversion to Islam. The course will spend considerable time on the African American, Indo-Pakistani, and Arab American Muslim communities since they constitute the largest groupings. It also examines in depth the emergence of national, regional, and local Muslim institutions, patterns of development pursued by a number of them, and levels of cooperation or antagonism. The course seeks an examination of gender relations and dynamics across the various Muslim groupings, and the internal and external factors that contribute to real and imagined crisis. The course seeks to conduct and document the growth and expansion of mosques, schools, and community centers in the greater Bay Area. Finally, no class on Islam in America would be complete without a critical examination of the impacts of 9/11 on Muslim communities, the erosion of civil rights, and the ongoing war on terrorism.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture and 0-1 hours of discussion per week
Summer: 6 weeks - 7.5 hours of lecture and 0-2.5 hours of discussion per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Asian American Studies/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Final exam required.
ASAMST 131 Asian Diaspora(s) from an Asian American Perspective 4 Units
Analyzes the global presence of an Asian group with a significant U.S. population: migration/settlement history, transnational economic/political/cultural interactions between diasporic communities and with land of origin, impact on Asian American community/identity formation. Instructor selects group(s).
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture and 0-1 hours of discussion per week
Summer: 8 weeks - 7.5 hours of lecture and 0-2.5 hours of discussion per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Asian American Studies/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Final exam required.
ASAMST 132 Islamaphobia and Constructing Otherness 4 Units
This course will examine and attempt to understand Islamophobia, as the most recently articulated principle of otherness and its implications domestically and globally. The course will also closely examine the ideological and epistemological frameworks employed in discourses of otherness, and the complex social, political, economic, gender-based, and religious forces entangled in its historical and modern reproduction.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture and 0-1 hours of discussion per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Asian American Studies/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Final exam required.
ASAMST 132AC Islamophobia and Constructing Otherness 4 Units
This course will examine and attempt to understand Islamophobia, as the most recently articulated principle of otherness and its implications domestically and globally. The course will also closely examine the ideological and epistemological frameworks employed in discourses of otherness, and the complex social, political, economic, gender-based, and religious forces entangled in its historical and modern reproduction.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture and 0-1 hours of discussion per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Asian American Studies/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Final exam required.
ASAMST 138 Topics in Asian Popular Culture 4 Units
Topics in Asian popular culture. Analysis of historical and contemporary issues addressed in popular media in Asia, such as 1990s Hong Kong cinema, fifth generation Chinese films, films of China and Taiwan, Japanese and Korean anime, South Asian and Bollywood cinema, and South Korean film and television drama. Course topics will vary with the expertise of the particular instructor.
Rules & Requirements
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit. Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture per week
Summer: 6 weeks - 7.5 hours of lecture and 0-2.5 hours of discussion per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Asian American Studies/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Final exam required.
ASAMST 141 Law in the Asian American Community 4 Units
Course will examine the nature, structure, and operation of selected legal institutions as they affect Asian American communities and will attempt to analyze the roles and effects of law, class, and race in American society. May be taken with 197.
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: 20A or 20B
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture and 0-1 hours of discussion per week
Summer: 6 weeks - 7.5 hours of lecture and 0-2.5 hours of discussion per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Asian American Studies/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Final exam required.
ASAMST 143 Asian American Health 3 Units
This course examines the state of Asian American health, the historical, structural, and cultural contexts of diverse Asian American communities, and the role of race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status in the production of unequal outcomes between Asian Americans and other racial/ethnic groups as well as across different Asian American subgroups.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of seminar per week
Summer: 6 weeks - 7.5 hours of seminar per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Asian American Studies/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Final exam not required.
ASAMST 144 Religions of Asian America 4 Units
This course will examine how Asian American communities engage religion and how, in turn, they are shaped by the different facets of religious life. Religion is examined in the form of major traditions-Buddhism, Islam, Hinduism, Sikhism, Christianity-and readings will introduce students to key concepts, practices, and institutions which help to define these trajectories.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture per week
Summer: 6 weeks - 7.5 hours of lecture and 0-2.5 hours of discussion per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Asian American Studies/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Final exam required.
ASAMST 145AC Politics, Public Policy, and Asian American Communities 4 Units
An examination of the purpose, power, and function of the executive, legislative and judicial branches of the federal government and their relationship to the Asian American community. The course presents a range of contemporary issues to illustrate how government institutions and the Asian community define issues and respond to political challenges.
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: 20A or 20B
Credit Restrictions: Students that have already taken ASAMST 145 will not receive credit for taking ASAMST 145AC.
Requirements this course satisfies: Satisfies the American Cultures requirement
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3-3 hours of lecture and 0-1 hours of discussion per week
Summer: 6 weeks - 8-8 hours of lecture and 0-2.5 hours of discussion per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Asian American Studies/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Alternative to final exam.
Formerly known as: Asian American Studies 145
ASAMST 146 Asian Americans and Education 4 Units
This course examines the historical and contemporary issues which shape the educational experiences of Asian Americans. Critical issues such as bilingual education, university admissions, and the education of Asian immigrants as well as theoretical models of Asian American academic success will be explored and critically analyzed.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture and 0-1 hours of discussion per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Asian American Studies/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Final exam required.
ASAMST 150 Gender and Generation in Asian American Families 4 Units
The influence of cultural legacy, ethnic background, immigration history, community structure, class and economic status, and racism on gender and generational relations in the Asian American family.
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: 20A or 20B
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture and 0-1 hours of discussion per week
Summer: 6 weeks - 5.5 hours of lecture and 1.5 hours of discussion per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Asian American Studies/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Final exam required.
ASAMST 151 Asian American Women: Theory and Experience 4 Units
Examines the historical and contemporary experiences of Asian American women in relation to work, sexuality, intellectual and artistic activity, and family and community life as well as the development of Asian American feminist thought and its relation to cultural nationalism.
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: 20A or 20B
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture and 0-1 hours of discussion per week
Summer: 8 weeks - 6 hours of lecture and 0-2 hours of discussion per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Asian American Studies/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Final exam required.
ASAMST 151AC Asian American Women: Theory and Experience 4 Units
Examines the historical and contemporary experiences of Asian American women in relation to work, sexuality, intellectual and artistic activity, and family and community life as well as the development of Asian American feminist thought and its relation to cultural nationalism.
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: 20A or 20B
Credit Restrictions: Students that have already completed ASAMST 151 will not receive credit for ASAMST 151AC.
Requirements this course satisfies: Satisfies the American Cultures requirement
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3-3 hours of lecture and 0-1 hours of discussion per week
Summer: 6 weeks - 7.5-7.5 hours of lecture and 0-2.5 hours of discussion per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Asian American Studies/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Final exam required.
ASAMST 165 Research Methodologies in Asian American Communities 4 Units
Approaches to research in the Asian American community with emphasis on the San Francisco Bay Area. Problems of research design, measurement, and data collection, processing ,and analysis will be considered.
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: 20A or 20B
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture and 1 hour of discussion per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Asian American Studies/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Final exam required.
ASAMST 171 Asian Americans in Film and Video 4 Units
Introduces students to films and videos by and about Asian Americans; presents an overview of the development of the Asian American media arts field in relation to current cultural theories and American film history and theory.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture and 1 hour of discussion per week
Summer: 6 weeks - 7.5 hours of lecture and 2.5 hours of discussion per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Asian American Studies/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Final exam required.
ASAMST 172 Asian American Literature 4 Units
Introduces students to representative works of Asian American literature by writers from the major ethnic subgroups; examines the works in their sociohistorical context; analyzes thematic and formal elements intertextually to form a coherent understanding of the Asian American literary tradition.
Rules & Requirements
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit with different topic. Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture and 0-1 hours of discussion per week
Summer:
6 weeks - 7.5 hours of lecture and 0-2.5 hours of discussion per week
8 weeks - 5.5 hours of lecture and 2 hours of discussion per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Asian American Studies/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Final exam required.
ASAMST 173 Creative Writing 4 Units
Instruction and practice in forms and techniques of prose, verse, drama or other writing as an expression of Asian American experiences and a contribution to evolving Asian American culture; may focus on specific genres or tasks depending on instructor.
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Consent of instructor
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of seminar per week
Summer: 6 weeks - 8 hours of seminar per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Asian American Studies/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Final exam required.
ASAMST 175 Contemporary Narratives on the Philippines and the United States 3 Units
The course will examine the various strategies of (re-)narrating colonial/neocolonial history in three genres: literature (novels, short fiction, poetry), essays, and films from the Philippines and the United States. Notions such as imperialism, nation, narration, history, nationalism, memory, ethnicity, language, power, gender, and subject formation will be discussed.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture and 0-1 hours of discussion per week
Summer: 6 weeks - 7.5 hours of lecture and 0-1 hours of discussion per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Asian American Studies/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Final exam required.
ASAMST 176 Genre in Asian American Literature 4 Units
Investigates specific genres in Asian American literature (e.g., autobiography, biography, drama, etc.) in terms of formal characteristics, innovations, comparisons of works from various subgroups in relation to counterparts in dominant Anglo-American tradition.
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Consent of instructor
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture and 1 hour of discussion per week
Summer: 6 weeks - 7.5 hours of lecture per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Asian American Studies/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Final exam required.
ASAMST 177 Asian American Art: Remapping Modernity: Art and Artists in the 20th Century 3 Units
Seminar in contemporary Asian American visual art, with focus on the politics of production and reception. Works by such artists as Y. David Chung, Hung Liu, Yong Soon Min, Long Nguyen, and Manuel Ocampo will be studied.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of seminar per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Asian American Studies/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Final exam required.
ASAMST 181 Chinese American Literature 4 Units
Analyzes literary representations of contemporary and/or historical experiences of Chinese Americans; genre, formal, and stylistic features; definition of cultural identity and development of literary tradition. Primarily English-language works, some translations from Chinese.
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Consent of instructor
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture and 0-1 hours of discussion per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Asian American Studies/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Final exam required.
ASAMST 183 Korean American Literature 4 Units
Critical readings of major Korean American literary work, including autobiography and personal memoir, autobiographical fiction, poetry, short stories and novel, with attention to conditions surrounding the production and consumption of these writings.
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Consent of instructor
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture and 0-1 hours of discussion per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Asian American Studies/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Final exam required.
ASAMST 190 Seminar on Advanced Topics in Asian American Studies 4 Units
Advanced seminar in Asian American Studies with topics to be announced at the beginning of each semester.
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Consent of instructor
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit as topic varies. Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of seminar per week
Summer: 6 weeks - 7.5 hours of seminar per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Asian American Studies/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Final exam required.
ASAMST 190AC Seminar on Advanced Topics in Asian American Studies 4 Units
Advanced seminar in Asian American Studies with topics to be announced at the beginning of each semester.
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Consent of instructor
Requirements this course satisfies: Satisfies the American Cultures requirement
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit as topic varies. Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of seminar per week
Summer: 6 weeks - 7.5 hours of seminar per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Asian American Studies/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Final exam required.
ASAMST 195 Senior Thesis 4 Units
Writing of a thesis under the direction of member(s) of the faculty.
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Consent of instructor
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 4 hours of independent study per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Asian American Studies/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Final exam required.
ASAMST H195A Senior Honors Thesis for Asian American and Asian Diaspora Studies Majors 3 Units
Course for senior Asian American and Asian Diaspora Studies maors designed to support and guide the writing of a senior honors thesis. For senior Asian American and Asian Diaspora Studies majors who have been approved for the honors program.
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Senior standing. Approval of Faculty Advisor, 3.5 GPA on all University work, and a 3.5 GPA in courses in the major
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of independent study per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Asian American Studies/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. This is part one of a year long series course. A provisional grade of IP (in progress) will be applied and later replaced with the final grade after completing part two of the series. Final exam not required.
Formerly known as: H195
ASAMST H195B Senior Honors Thesis for Asian American and Asian Diaspora Studies Majors 3 Units
Course for senior Asian American and Asian Diaspora Studies maors designed to support and guide the writing of a senior honors thesis. For senior Asian American and Asian Diaspora Studies majors who have been approved for the honors program.
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Senior standing. Approval of Faculty Advisor, 3.5 GPA on all University work, and a 3.5 GPA in courses in the major
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of independent study per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Asian American Studies/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. This is part two of a year long series course. Upon completion, the final grade will be applied to both parts of the series. Final exam not required.
Formerly known as: H195
ASAMST 197 Field Study in Asian American Communities 1 - 3 Units
University organized and supervised field program involving experiences in schools, school-related activities, community, and community-related activities.
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Consent of instructor
Credit Restrictions: Enrollment is restricted; see the Introduction to Courses and Curricula section of this catalog.
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit. Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3-9 hours of fieldwork per week
Summer:
6 weeks - 7.5-22.5 hours of fieldwork per week
10 weeks - 4.5-13.5 hours of fieldwork per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Asian American Studies/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Offered for pass/not pass grade only. Final exam not required.
ASAMST 198 Supervised Group Study 1 - 3 Units
Group study of selected topics which will vary from semester to semester.
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Consent of instructor
Credit Restrictions: Enrollment is restricted; see the Introduction to Courses and Curricula section of this catalog.
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit. Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 1-3 hours of directed group study per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Asian American Studies/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Offered for pass/not pass grade only. Final exam not required.
ASAMST 199 Supervised Independent Study and Research 1 - 4 Units
Individual research on a topic which leads to the writing of a major paper. Regular meetings with faculty sponsor.
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Consent of instructor
Credit Restrictions: Enrollment is restricted; see the Introduction to Courses and Curricula section of this catalog.
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit. Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 0 hours of independent study per week
Summer:
6 weeks - 2.5-10 hours of independent study per week
10 weeks - 1.5-6 hours of independent study per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Asian American Studies/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Offered for pass/not pass grade only. Final exam not required.
Contact Information
Department of Ethnic Studies
506 Barrows Hall
Phone: 510-643-0796
Fax: 510-642-6456