The Asian American Studies Program offers an interdisciplinary major that examines the experiences of various Asian American groups in the United States. Pertinent to these experiences are the historical, cultural, legal, political, social-psychological, class, and gender contexts for Asian Americans.
The Program. Majors take a prescribed set of lower division and upper division courses in Asian American Studies. Other courses in the major provide the opportunity to develop a knowledge of Asian Americans from either a humanities or social science perspective. For the humanities emphasis, students take courses in an Asian language. They then can opt for a track on literature/culture or history/culture in upper division courses. For the social science emphasis, courses in the social science methodology are required at the lower division level. While Asian language courses are not required for the social science emphasis, students are strongly encouraged to take such courses because of the pertinence of such courses to the major, and because the College has a foreign language requirement. At the upper division level, majors with a social science emphasis can opt for an anthropological or sociological/psychological track.
Career Alternatives. Asian American Studies prepares students for a variety of careers. Given the multicultural nature of society and the increasing relations with different societies, many occupations seek individuals with background and expertise in ethnic relations and cultural issues. Graduates often enter the fields of teaching, research, government service, law, social services, etc., as well as graduate schools for advanced degrees in various disciplines.
| UNITS | ||
|---|---|---|
| Humanities Emphasis | ||
| Preparatory Subject Matter | 34 | |
| Asian American Studies 1, 2, 20 | 11 | |
| One Asian language: Cantonese 1, 2, 3; Chinese 1, 2, 3; Japanese 1, 2, 3; or equivalent Asian language | 15 | |
| At least two lower division courses from the following departments or programs (all lower division courses of at least 4 units are acceptable except those numbered 92, 97T, 98, and 99): African American and African Studies, Chicana/o Studies, Native American Studies, Women and Gender Studies | 8 | |
| Depth Subject Matter | 44-47 | |
| At least 7 upper division Asian American Studies courses (excluding 197T, 198, 199) and not more than 6 units of internships | 28-30 | |
| Select four courses from one of the following tracks | 16-17 | |
| Literature/Culture Track | ||
| Comparative Literature 153; Dramatic Art 154, 155; English 178, 179, 185A, 185B | ||
| History/Culture Track | ||
| Dramatic Art 154, 155; History 191F, 194C, 196B, 173, 178 | ||
| Total Units for the Major | 78-81 | |
| Social Science Emphasis | ||
| Preparatory Subject Matter | 32 | |
| Asian American Studies 1, 2 | 8 | |
| Select four courses from the following (at least two courses must be methodological/statistical in nature and selected from Anthropology 2; Psychology 41; Sociology 46A, 46B; or Statistics 13): Anthropology 2, 4, 20; Human Development 30; Psychology 41; Communication 1, 3; Sociology 46A, 46B; Statistics 13 | 16 | |
| At least two lower division courses from the following departments or programs (all lower division courses of at least 4 units are acceptable except those numbered 92, 97T, 98, and 99): African American and African Studies, Chicana/o Studies, Native American Studies, Women and Gender Studies | 8 | |
| Depth Subject Matter | 44-46 | |
| At least 7 upper division Asian American Studies courses (excluding 197T, 198, 199) and not more than 6 units of internships | 28-30 | |
| Select four courses from one of the following tracks | 16 | |
| Anthropology Track | ||
| Anthropology 123C, 132, 133, 134, 138, 139, 143B, 147 | ||
| Sociology/Psychology Track | ||
| Human Development 103; Psychology 114; Sociology 125, 128, 129, 130, 172 | ||
| Total Units for the Major | 76-78 |
Major Adviser. Consult Program Office.
| UNITS | ||
|---|---|---|
| Asian American Studies | 20 | |
| Asian American Studies 110 | 4 | |
| An additional four courses from Asian American Studies 100, 101, 111, 112, 120, 130, 136, 150, 155, 192 (No more than 4 units of 192 may be counted toward this total) | 16 | |
Minor Adviser. P. Leung.
American History and Institutions. This university requirement can be satisfied by one of the following courses in Asian American Studies: 1, 2. (See also under University Requirements.)
Related Courses. For courses in Asian languages, see Cantonese (below) and Chinese and Japanese (under East Asian Languages and Cultures). For other Asian courses, see East Asian Languages and Culture and East Asian Studies.
Direct questions pertaining to the following courses to the instructor or to Asian American Studies Program, 3102 Hart Hall (530-752-3625).
| Upper Division Courses | Courses in Cantonese |
*Course not offered this academic year.
General Education (GE) credit: ArtHum = Arts and Humanities; SciEng = Science and Engineering; SocSci = Social Sciences; Div = Social-Cultural Diversity; Wrt = Writing Experience. Select this link to information on the General Education requirement.
1. Historical Experience of Asian Americans (4) I. Ono; III. The Staff
Lecture--3 hours; discussion--1 hour. Introduction to Asian American Studies through an overview of the history of Asians in America from the 1840s to the present within the context of the development of the United States. GE credit: SocSci, Div, Wrt.
2. Contemporary Experience of Asian Americans (4) II. Shimakawa
Lecture--3 hours; discussion--1 hour. Introduction to Asian American Studies through analysis of relationships between ethnicity, race, and culture. Identity development of Asian Americans and their communities in the context of contemporary American institutional practices. GE credit: SocSci, Div, Wrt.
*20. Calligraphic Expression in Asian American Culture (3) II. Leung
Lecture--2 hours; studio--3 hours. Survey the legacy of calligraphy in Asian American families, festivals, temples, and schools. Understanding and appreciation of calligraphy through some basic writing. Trace origins, principles and styles of Chinese and Japanese calligraphy. Offered in alternate years.
92. Internship (1-3) I, II, III. The Staff (Director in charge)
Internship--3-9 hours. Prerequisite: enrollment dependent on availability of intern positions and consent of instructor. Supervised internship in community and institutional settings related to Asian American concerns. (P/NP grading only.)
98. Directed Group Study (1-5) I, II, III. The Staff (Director in charge)
Primairly intended for lower division students. (P/NP grading only)
99. Special Study for Undergraduates (1-5) I, II, III The Staff (Director in charge)
(P/NP grading only.)
100. Asian American Communities (4) I. Hamamoto
Lecture/discussion--4 hours. Prerequisite: course 110. Study of historical and contemporary experiences of various Asian American groups, with the community as the unit of analysis.
*101. Language and Educational Issues of Asian Immigrants (4) I. The Staff
Lecture--3 hours; discussion--1 hour. Prerequisite: course 1 or 2; upper division standing. Analysis of language diversity issues in American society, especially in public schools. Overview of public policies on language and programs, particularly for Asian language minority students. Offered in alternate years.
110. Theoretical Perspectives in Asian American Studies (4) I. Hamamoto
Lecture/discussion--4 hours. Prerequisite: course 1 or 2; upper division standing. Theories of race and ethnic relations as tools for understanding the Asian American experience with the society as the unit of analysis. GE credit: SocSci, Div.
111. Ethnic Self and Identity (4) III. Sue
Lecture/discussion--4 hours. Prerequisite: course 101. Study of cultural and social psychological influences on Asian Americans, with the individual as the unit of analysis. GE credit: SocSci, Div.
112. Asian/Pacific American Women (4) II. Ho
Lecture/discussion--4 hours. Prerequisite: course 1 or 2; upper division standing. Examination of the cultural, social, and political situation of Asian and Pacific American women using theoretical perspectives from social science disciplines: socialization, family dynamics, domestic and political power, economic production, and division of labor. GE credit: SocSci, Div.
120. Biracial and Multiracial Asian Pacific American Experiences (4) III. Ono
Lecture/discussion--4 hours. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. Introduction to the experiences of biracial and multiracial Asian Pacific people in the U.S., concentrating on theories of race, racial identity formation, culture, media, and anti-racist struggles. Provides critical approaches to the analysis of popular media and academic representations. Offered in alternate years. GE credit: Div.
130. Asian American Literature (4) III. Ho
Lecture/discussion--4 hours. Prerequisite: course 1 or 2, or consent of instructor. Analysis of Asian American writings as expressions of various cultural themes, psychological issues, interpersonal relationships and sociopolitical influences on the Asian American experience.
136. Asian American Drama (4) I. Shimakawa
Lecture/discussion--4 hours. Prerequisite: courses 1, 2, or 130; or consent of instructor. Comparative introduction to the dramatic literature of Asian American playwrights such as Frank Chin, Philip Kan Gotanda, Velina Hasu Houston, David Henry Hwang, Wakako Yamauchi, and others from diverse socio-historical, artistic, and theoretical contexts.
150. Filipino American Experience (4) III. The Staff
Lecture/discussion--4 hours. Prerequisite: course 1 or 2. Examination of the relationship between the Filipino-American community, the Philippine home community and the larger American society through a critical evaluation of the historical and contemporary conditions, problems and prospects of Filipinos in the U.S.
*155. Legal History and the Asian American (4) II. Shimakawa
Lecture/discussion--4 hours. Prerequisite: course 1 or 2; consent of instructor. Legal history of Asian Americans beginning with the experience of Chinese Americans in the mid-19th century. Includes an examination of laws affecting Asian American communities in immigration, economic activities, and World War II internment.
192. Internship (1-5) I, II, III. The Staff (Director in charge)
Internship--3-15 hours. Prerequisite: enrollment dependent on availability of intern position with priority to Asian American Studies minors. Supervised internship in community and institutional settings related to Asian American concerns. (P/NP grading only.)
197T. Tutoring in Asian American Studies (1-5) I, II, III. The Staff (Director in charge)
Tutoring--1-5 hours. Prerequisite: upper division standing and completion of appropriate course with distinction; consent of instructor. Tutoring in lower division Asian American Studies courses in small group discussion. Weekly meetings with instructor. May be repeated for credit once for a given course and also for a different course. (P/NP grading only.)
198. Directed Group Study (1-5) I, II, III. The Staff (Director in charge)
Prerequisite: consent of instructor. Primarily intended for upper division students. (P/NP grading only.)
199. Special Study for Advanced Undergraduates (1-5) I, II, III. The Staff (Director in charge)
Prerequisite: consent of instructor. (P/NP grading only.)
1-2-3. Elementary Cantonese (5-5-5) I-II-III. Leung
Lecture--3 hours; recitation--3 hours. Introduction to Cantonese grammar and development of conversational skills in a cultural context. Approximately 250 Chinese characters will be introduced during Cantonese 2 and 3. (Not open to native speakers.)
4-5-6. Intermediate Cantonese (3-3-3) I-II-III. Leung
Lecture--2 hours; recitation--2 hours. Prerequisite: course 1-2-3 or the equivalent. Development of conversational skills in a cultural context. Community-oriented language materials in health care, social service, and bilingual education will be introduced.
UC Davis 1999-2000 Online General Catalog. Posted July 30, 1999.
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Molly Theodossy, Keitha Hunter and Barbara Anderson, Editors
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