AST Information | AST Programs | AST Courses
Asian Studies (A/ST)
LOWER DIVISION
190. The Tao Primer of Basic Reasoning (3)
Prerequisites/Corequisite: ENGL 100 or its equivalent.
Natural language of Tao aphorisms used for informal and formal types of reasoning; learning Yin and Yang basic analytic steps; applying Tao principles and processes of reasoning to contemporary, common-place, and intercultural issues and problems logically and practically.
290. Special Topics in Asian Studies (3)
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
Topics of special interest in Asian Studies selected for intensive study.
Topics will be announced in the Schedule of Classes. May be repeated to a maximum of 6 units with different topics.
299. Directed Studies (1-3)
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
Directed studies to permit individual students to pursue topics of special research interest.
May be repeated to a maximum of 6 units. Letter grade only (A-F).
UPPER DIVISION
General Education Category A must be completed prior to taking any upper division course except upper division language courses where students meet formal prerequisites and/or competency equivalent for advanced study.
300I. Traditional Asia (3)
Prerequisites: Completion of the GE Foundation, one or more Exploration courses, and upper-division standing.
Interdisciplinary examination of traditional civilizations of Asia. This team-taught course focuses on two Asian civilizations, normally China and India, and may periodically focus on Japan. Course examines topics related to Asian cultures to illustrate the richness and diversity of Asia.
301I. Modern Asia (3)
Prerequisites: Completion of GE Foundation requirements, one or more Explorations courses, and upper-division standing.
Emphasis on development of Asia since the 18th century and its role in the modern world; some attention to the experience of Asians in the U.S. Continuity and change, reform and revolution in culture, politics and the economy will be included.
310. United States and Asia (3)
Focusing on the post-1945 period, this course will examine four main areas: (1) key religious, social and political patterns in Asia; (2) cross-cultural images of Asia and America; (3) Asian-U.S. global economic relations; and (4) Asian-U.S. strategic and political relationships.
320. Asia in Fiction and Film (3)
Focuses on Asian-Western interactions and particularly on Asian-Western perspectives of these interactions as manifested in film and works of fiction. Focus on China, Japan and/or India; consideration given to Asian experience in America.
393. Japan’s Heritage (3)
Prerequisites: Completion of GE Foundation requirements, one or more Explorations courses, and upper-division standing.
Cultural heritage of Japanese civilization emphasizing history, philosophy, religion, literature and fine arts from prehistory to the present.
Letter grade only (A-F).
406A. Asian Women: east and northeast Asia (3)
Prerequisite: Upper division status.
Exploration of the histories of women in China, Japan and Korea from prehistory to the present. Major themes include women's contributions to social, cultural and political change, and the complex relationship between feminism and nationalism in the modern period.
Same courses as HIST 406A and W/ST 406A.
406B. Asian Women: South and Southeast Asia (3)
Emphasis on modern period; exploration of complexitites of women’s roles in multicultural, multilingual societies in South and Southeast Asia, including gender as continuing site of contention in nationalist discourse.
Same courses as HIST 406B and W/ST 406B. Letter grade only (A-F).
441. Khmer Literacy for Khmer Speakers: Introduction (3)
Prerequisite: Fluent oral skills in Khmer.
First of a four-course sequence. Introduction to Khmer writing system. Practice in reading, decipherment, vowels, consonants and syllable combinations. Oral practice, honorifics, culturally appropriate interaction.
Letter grade only (A-F). Same course as LING 441.
442. Khmer Literacy for Khmer Speakers: Intermediate A (3)
Prerequisite: A/ST 441 or consent of instructor.
Second of a four-course sequence. Continued practice in Khmer writing system. Vocabulary development, reading, and writing long sentences and simple text. Appropriate social and educational discourse.
Letter grade only (A-F). Same course as LING 442.
443. Khmer Literacy for Khmer Speakers: Intermediate B (3)
Prerequisite: A/ST 442 or consent of instructor.
Third of a four-course sequence. Contextual reading for comprehension, cultural and grammatical knowledge. Development of oral skills through discussion of content, role play and verbal critique.
Letter grade only (A-F). Same course as LING 443.
444. Khmer Literacy for Khmer Speakers: Advanced (3)
Prerequisite: A/ST 443 or consent of instructor.
Fourth of a four-course sequence. Composition and written translation. Preparation for BCLAD tests 5 & 6: Culture and Language of Emphasis. Reading authentic texts.
Letter grade only (A-F). Same course as LING 444.
*490. Special Topics in Asian Studies (3)
Topics of special interest in Asian Studies selected for intensive study.
Topics will be announced in the Schedule of Classes. May be repeated to a maximum of 6 units with different topics .
A. Modern Chinese Literature
B. China in Transition
C. Modern Vietnam
D. Filipino Language, Literature and Culture
492./592. Proseminar in Asian Studies (3)
Prerequisites: Consent of instructor.
Introduction to research methods. Intensive study of selected conceptual and theoretical issues in Asian Studies or Asian American Studies. Area and discipline of emphasis will vary from year to year.
May be repeated to a maximum of 6 units.
495I. China Heritage (3)
Prerequisites: Completion of the G.E. Foundation, one or more Exploration courses; upper-division standing.
Cultural heritage explored through history, philosophy, religion and science, side by side with the fine arts; seen as the totality of a people's humanistic experience. (Lecture, discussion and film)
499. Directed Studies (1-3)
Prerequisite: Consent of Instructor.
Directed studies to permit individual students to pursue topics of special research interest.
May be repeated to a maximum of 6 units. Letter grade only (A-F).
GRADUATE LEVEL
Graduate course descriptions are found in the departmental listings in which they are offered. Graduate courses applicable for the degree (only when the focus is on Asia) are: AH 566, 567, 568, 569, 570, 571, *596, *597; A/ST 543, 544, 551, 592, 610, 695, 697, 698; ANTH 516, 517, 519, 597, 697; ART 611; ASAM 595; CHIN 530A,B,C, 551, 590, 592; CWL 503, 522, 548, 550; ECON 690; GEOG 650, 697; HIST 505, 509, 510(G), 682, 695, 697; JAPN 551, 562, 581, 592, 695, 697; PHIL 697; POSC 590, 599, 600, 610, 670, 697; R/ST 646, *690, *697.
543. Religions of China (3)
Ancient Chinese religious thought; penetration of Indian Buddhism and Ch'an (Zen); popular religion and the religion of the scholar-official. Emphasis will be on original texts in translations.
Not openfor credit to students with credit in R/ST 343. Letter grade only (A-F).
544. Religions of Japan (3)
The transmission of continental civilization to Japan; Shinto, Buddhism and Tokugawa Neo-Confucianism; Genroku culture; and the New Religions. Emphasis on original texts in translations.
Not open for credit to students with credit in R/ST 344. Letter grade only (A-F).
551. Hinduism (3)
Survey of ancient, classical and medieval Hinduism. Emphasis on analysis of Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita and the various paths of Yoga.
Not open for credit to students with credit in R/ST 351. Letter grade only (A-F).
592./492. Proseminar in Asian Studies (3)
Prerequisites: Consent of the instructor.
Introduction to research methods. Intensive study of selected conceptual and theoretical issues in Asian Studies or Asian American Studies. Area and discipline of emphasis will vary from year to year.
May be repeated to a maximum of 6 units. Letter grade only (A-F).
610. Seminar in Asian Studies (3)
Selected topics in Asian Studies. Area and discipline of emphasis will vary from year to year. Open to graduate students of Asian Studies. Graduate students in other disciplines may enroll with consent of instructor.
May be repeated to a maximum of 6 units. Letter grade only (A-F).
695. Directed Readings (1-3)
Prerequisites: Consent of Graduate Advisor.
Readings in Asian Studies on an individual basis.
Letter grade only (A-F).
697. Directed Research (1-3)
Prerequisites: Consent of Graduate Advisor.
Research in Asian Studies on an individual basis.
Letter grade only (A-F).
698. Thesis (2-6)
Prerequisite: Consent of the Graduate Advisor.
Planning, preparation, and completion of a thesis in Asian studies.
LOWER DIVISION
1. Language Skills (3)
Focuses on intensive development of grammatical skills and expository writing. Primarily for Asian American students. Counts as part of student course load but does not carry graduation credit.
Credit/no credit only. Counts as part of student course load but does not carry graduation credit.
100. Language Skills (3)
Prerequisite: A recorded total score of 151 or above on the English Placement Test, or credit in ASAM 1 (or its equivalent) and consent of the instructor.
Covers organizational methods and techniques for writing compositional and expository prose, advanced grammar, and critical reading techniques for term papers.
Not open for credit to students with credit in ENGL 100, B/ST 100, CHLS 104.
200. Asian American Inter-Ethnic Relations (3)
Prerequisites: Completion of GE Foundation requirements.
Inroduction to a comparative survey of racial/ethnic experiences in the U.S., with a focus on Asian Americans.
Not open for credit to students with credit in AIS 319, ASAM 319, B/ST 319, CHLS 319, C/LA 319, and W/ST 319. Letter grade only (A-F).
215. U.S. Diversity and the Ethnic Experience (3)
Open only to Integrated Teacher Education Program students.
Surveys historical and contemporary experiences of the four major ethnic groups (American Indians, African Americans, Latinos, and Asian Americans) in American society from the colonial era to the present.
Same course as AIS 215, B/ST 215, CHLS 215. The departments take turns offering the course in the Fall semester. Letter grade only (A-F).
220. Asian American History (3)
Prerequisite: Completion of the 13-unit GE Foundation requirements.
Overview of experiences of people of Asian ancestry in the United States. Major themes include: immigration (labor migration and refugee resettlement), racism and economic conflict, resistance to discrimination, and community building.
221. Contemporary Issues in Asian America (3)
Prerequisites: Completion of the GE Foundation requirements.
Examination of contemporary issues, including immigration, labor, family, public policy, popular culture, the media, and political activism in Asian America. Focuses on the U.S. in the context of the global economy and Asian diasporas.
Letter grade only (A-F).
260. Introduction to Asian American Literature (3)
Prerequisites: Completion of GE Foundation requirements.
Introduction to representative works by Asian Pacific American authors. Emphasizes interpretation of historical and contemporary Asian American experiences in various literary genres.
Letter grade only (A-F).
290. Special Topics in Asian American Studies (3)
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
Topics of current interest in Asian American Studies selected for intensive development.
Topics will be announced in the Schedule of Classes. May be repeated t a maximum of 6 units with different topics.
299. Directed Studies (1-3)
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
Directed studies to permit individual students to pursue topics of special research interest.
May be repeated to a maximum of 6 units. Letter grade only (A-F).
UPPER DIVISION
General Education Category A must be completed prior to taking any upper division course except upper division language courses where students meet formal prerequisites and/or competency equivalent for advanced study.
305. Theories and Methods in Asian American Studies (3)
Prerequisites: Upper-division standing or consent of instructor, ASAM 220 and completion of General Education category “A” requirement.
Explores various approaches and theoretical underpinnings which have been employed to examine Asian American experiences. Students will have the opportunity to conduct research on Asian American topics of their interest.
Letter grade only (A-F).
310. Asian Americans and Education
Examining problems and potentials of a multi-racial classroom for the understanding of, and relating to students of, diverse cultural backgrounds, with an emphasis on the Asian American. Small group interaction and counseling of individual students.
319. The Ethnic Experience in the U.S. (3)
Examines the dynamics of our multicultural society, emphasizing ways in which Asian American, Black American, Mexican American, and American Indian experiences have shaped cultural diversity in the U.S.
Same course as AIS 319, B/ST 319, CHLS 319, W/ST 319. (Lecture/Discussion.)
330. Japanese American Experience (3)
A study of the culture, history, and literature of Japanese in America, emphasizing immigrant experience, agricultural contributions, World War II, generational issues, women in transition and family.
331. Chinese American Experience (3)
A study of the culture, history, and literature of Chinese in America, emphasizing immigrant experience, generational issues, women in transition and family.
332. Korean American Experience (3)
A study of the culture, history, and literature of Koreans in America, emphasizing refugee immigrant experience, generational issues, women in transition and family.
333. Vietnamese American Experience (3)
A study of the culture, history, and literature of Vietnamese in America, emphasizing immigrant experience, generational issues, women in transition and family.
334. Cambodian American Experience (3)
A study of the culture, history, and literature of Cambodians in America, emphasizing refugee and immigrant experiences, generational issues, women in transition and family.
335i. Asian and Latino immigration Since World War II (3)
Prerequisites: Completion of GE Foundation requirements, one or more Explorations courses, and upper-division standing.
Examines the causes of massive Asian and Latino immigration as well as major contemporary issues in the Asian and Latino communities.
Same course as CHLS 335I. (Lecture and discussion, 3 hours)
340. Asian American Family (3)
Prerequisites: Completion of Foundation Courses and upper-division standing.
Provides perspectives on the varieties of Asian American families by examining the social, economic, political, and cultural factors crucial in the development of conventional as well as alternative familial units.
345. Asian American Community Analysis (4)
Examines socioeconomic, political and cultural profile of Asian American communities, as well as role and function of community organizations. Training in community surveys and service.
(Lecture, activity)
346. Asian Americans and the Law (3)
Examines how laws have been used to restrict Asian Americans' social, political, educational, and economic activities, as well as how this ethnic group has utilized the legal system to fight discrimination and seek justice.
347. Asian Americans and Public Policy Issues (3)
Examines public policy issues, including racial and ethnic discrimination, civil rights violations, disparities in employment opportunities, and political, cultural and media representation, affecting Asian Americans and other minorities as well as members of the dominant society.
(Lecture 3 hours.)
352. Filipino/a American Experience (3)
Focusing on social, economic, political, and cultural dimensions of Filipino/a experiences in the United States, this course examines major issues, including legacies of imperialism, transnational patterns of capital and labor, colonial and post-colonial identities, resistance to oppression, and literary expressions.
360. Studies in Asian American Literature (3)
Provides theoretical foundation for the analysis of Asian Pacific American literature. Addresses various issues in contemporary Asian Pacific American literary criticism including transnationalism, historical memory, gender relations, sexuality, and the development of Asian Pacific American literary “aesthetics.”
370. Gender and Sexuality in Asian America (3)
Prerequisites: Completion of Foundation Courses and upper-division standing.
Explores the diverse historical and contemporary experiences of Asian Americans with respect to gender roles and relationships, family, expressions of desire, as well as the relationships among gender, sexuality, and racial/ethnic identity.
380. Asian Philosophies and religions in America (3)
Influence of and changes in Asian philosophies and religions in the American environment. Emphasis on Confucianism, Taoism, Hinduism, Buddhism and Shintoism in relation to individual and social values in America.
381. Asian American Women (3)
Reconstructs and examines Asian American women’s history and contemporary experiences. Assesses the complexities of intersecting social categories of oppression and Asian American women’s active pursuit of equality and dignity.
Same course as HIST 381 and W/ST 381. Lecture.
402. Asian American Film (3)
Prerequisites: Completion of GE Foundation requirements and upper division standing.
Employs films as cultural "texts" in exploring issues including race, gender, sexuality, migrations, and the politics of representation in Asian America.
Letter grade only (A-F).
403. Asian American and Chicano/Latino Cinema (3)
Prerequisites: Completion of the Foundation courses, at least one Explorations course, and upper division status.
A team-taught course that explores connections between Asian American and Chicano/Latino cinema, with emphases given to grounding issues presented in films within historical, literary, and cultural studies frameworks.
Same course as CHLS 403.
410. Poverty In Asian America (3)
Prerequisites: Completion of Foundation courses, at least one Explorations course, and upper division status.
Examines poverty among Asian Pacific Americans in the context of poverty in the U.S., theories about poverty’s causes, anti-poverty policies, and poverty-fighting activities (nonprofit community-based social services, labor organizing, community organizing and advocacy).
490. Special Topics in Asian American Studies (3)
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
Topics of current interest in Asian American Studies selected for intensive development. Topics will be announced in the Schedule of Classes.
May be repeated to a maximum of 6 units. Topics will be announced in the Schedule of Classes.
495./595. Seminar in Asian American Studies (3)
Selected topics in Asian American Studies. Area and topics of emphasis will vary from year to year.
Letter grade only (A-F). May be repeated to a maximum of 6 units.
499. Directed Studies (1-3)
Prerequisite: Consent of Instructor.
Directed studies to permit individual students to pursue topics of special research interest.
May be repeated to a maximum of 6 units.
GRADUATE LEVEL
595./495. Seminar in Asian American Studies (3)
Selected topics in Asian American Studies. Area and topics of emphasis will vary from year to year.
Letter grade only (A-F). May be repeated to a maximum of 6 units.