Asian and Asian American Studies - Programs

College of Liberal Arts

Undergraduate Programs

Bachelor of Arts in Asian Studies (code A/STBA01) (120 units)

Students choosing an Asian Studies major are advised to select one of two tracks for the degree. The student may choose an area of studies track, concentrating on one or more specific Asian societies, such as China, Japan, India, or Southeast Asia. Or, the student may choose to focus on an Asian American Studies track and combine the study of Asian Americans as ethnic minorities with supporting investigation of the countries of their historical origin.

Requirements
1. ASAM 120 or 200;
2. A/ST 300I, 301I and 492;
3. Three semesters (or the equivalent) of a single Asian language, chosen from courses in Chinese, Japanese, or an Asian language approved by the undergraduate advisor.
Upper Division: A minimum of 21 units; students should select one of the following two tracks:

I. Area Studies Track

21 units of upper division work, including A/ST 492 (Proseminar in Asian Studies), and additional courses selected from the list of approved electives with the following provisions: (1) no more than 9 units shall be counted in a single discipline such as art or history, (2) no more than 9 units shall be credited that concentrate upon any one area of Asia, chosen from among the following: China, India, Japan, or Southeast Asia. No more than 6 units of courses on the Americas can be applied toward this requirement (N.B. In the case of seminar, thematic, or variable topic courses, the assignment of a disciplinary and/or geographic category will be made by the undergraduate advisor in consultation with the appropriate faculty member).

II. Asian American Studies Track
21 units of upper division work, selected from the list of approved electives with the following provisions: (1) A/ST 492 (Proseminar in Asian Studies [3 units]); (2) 12 units of upper division Asian American Studies including ASAM 310 and 345; (3) the remaining upper division units focusing on one geographical area of Asia, chosen from among the following: China, India, Japan, or Southeast Asia.

Certificate in Asian Studies (code A/STCT01)

A student may earn a Certificate in Asian Studies with a concentration on China, Japan, India, or Southeast Asia. Where applicable, courses used to meet the certificate requirements also may be used to satisfy the General Education requirement and the major and teaching minor requirements of the cooperating departments.

Requirements
1. A bachelor’s degree, with a major in a discipline other than Asian Studies. May be completed concurrently;
2. A minimum of two semesters or its equivalent of an approved Asian language which is to be selected in accordance with the area of concentration;
3. A/ST 300I, 301I and 12 units of upper division work divided among two or more disciplines. These are to be selected in accordance with the area of concentration and in consultation with the student’s advisor. No more than 6 units in any one discipline shall apply towards the Certificate.

Bachelor of Arts in Asian American Studies (code A/STBA04) (120 units)

The Bachelor of Arts degree in Asian American Studies provides an interdisciplinary approach to explore the diverse history, cultures, communities, and contemporary realities in Asian America. It is designed to offer students an opportunity to develop a greater understanding of the complexities of Asian American experiences and to prepare them to function in a multiethnic society and multicultural world. The communication and critical analysis skills which are stressed in the program will be instrumental to students pursuing postbaccalaureate degrees in “traditional” disciplines, including History, Geography, Sociology, Psychology, and Literature; in interdisciplinary programs like Ethnic Studies and Women’s Studies; and in professional fields such as Law, Business Administration, and Social Work. The program’s curriculum and broad liberal arts perspectives likewise will prepare students for employment in several professions, including education, public policy, community development, media, social services, and human resources. Admission to the program requires completion of the G.E. Foundation courses.

Requirements

A major in Asian American Studies requires a minimum of 40 units, with at least 18 units earned in residence at CSULB. 40 required units to consist of:
A. 6 units of lower-division core courses
B. 3 units of lower-division elective
C. 16 units of upper-division core courses
D. 15 units of upper-division electives in the following areas:

Specific Ethnic Group Focus
Gender Studies
Asian Americans in Comparative Perspectives
Explorations in Asian America
Asian American Studies-Related Courses

Lower-Division Core Courses (6 units): ASAM 120, 221.
Lower-Division Elective (3 units): selected from the following: ASAM 200, 260, 290, 299
Upper-Division Core Courses (16 units): A/ST 300I, 301I, or 310; ASAM 305, 345, 346, 495
Upper-Division Electives (15 units): 12 units from at least two of the first four groups and 3 units from the fifth group.
Group 1. Specific Ethnic Group Focus: ASAM 330, 331, 332, 333, 334, 352
Group 2. Gender Studies: ASAM 340, 370, 381
Group 3. Asian Americans in Comparative Perspectives: ASAM 319, 335I, 341, W/ST 318I
Group 4. Explorations in Asian America: ASAM 310, 347, 360, 380, 410, 490, 499
Group 5. Asian American Studies-Related Courses: ANTH 329, 419, ANTH/W/ST 475/LING 470, CHLS 421, COMM 330, CWL 415I, ENGL 375, HIST 469, 473, LING 472, POSC 323, PSY 368, 375, SW 350, 481I, SOC 346, W/ST 432

Minor in Asian American Studies (code A/STUM01)

Requirements

The Minor in Asian American Studies is available to all majors. A minimum of 22 units which must include:

A. ASAM 120, 200 or 319, 221, 305, and 345;
B. six units selected from among the following: ASAM 260, 310, 330, 331, 332, 333, 334, 335I, 340, 341, 346, 347, 352, 353, 360, 370, 381, 402, 410, 490, and 495.

Certificate in Asian American Studies (code A/STCT02)

Students pursuing any approved degree or credential degree or credential program of the University may at the same time earn a Certificate in Asian American Studies. Courses taken to meet the requirements may simultaneously be used, where applicable, to meet General Education requirements or the degree or credential requirements of cooperating departments. Certification of successful completion of requirements will be issued upon the recommendation of the Department Chair.

Requirements

1. A bachelor's degree with a major other than Asian American Studies. May be completed concurrently;
2. A minimum of 30 units distributed as follows:
A. (required): ASAM 120, 200 or 319, 221, 305, 345, 360, 495 plus
B. additional courses selected from: ASAM 260, 310, 330, 331, 332, 333, 334, 335I, 340, 341, 346, 347, 352, 353, 370, 381, 402, 410, 490, 495, 499.
Interested students should apply to the department office.

Graduate Programs

Master of Arts in Asian Studies (code A/STMA01)

The master of arts degree in Asian Studies is an interdisciplinary degree offered by the Asian Studies faculty of its cooperating departments. It is especially aimed at those intending to go into teaching, foreign service, or foreign trade. Students applying for the M.A. Program in Asian Studies must apply for admission to the University and simultaneously provide official transcripts and two letters of recommendation to the graduate advisor of the department.

Prerequisites
1. A Bachelor’s degree with a major in Asian Studies; or

2. A Certificate in Asian Studies, awarded at CSULB, or its equivalent as evaluated by the Graduate Advisor of the Department of Asian and Asian American Studies. Equivalency will, normally, be granted for work in Asia-related studies at CSULB and/or at other academic institutions, including a minimum of 18 units in no more than four disciplines with a minimum of six units in each of two disciplines of concentration plus two semesters of an approved Asian language. Only courses with a substantive Asia-related content are acceptable; or

3. A bachelor’s degree in one of the fields in social science, humanities, or fine arts with 24 units of upper division Asia-related courses. These courses must be comparable to those required of a major in Asian Studies at this University. Deficiencies will be determined by the graduate advisor after consultation with the student and after evaluation of transcript records. Students whose undergraduate prerequisites are inadequate will be required to fulfill these deficiencies before advancement to candidacy and will receive unclassified graduate status until all deficiencies are removed.

Advancement to Candidacy

1. Satisfaction of the general University requirements for advancement to candidacy;
2. Completion of 6 or more of the required units (not including language) with a minimum 3.0 overall GPA;
3. Approval of proposed program of study;
4. Satisfactory fulfillment of the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR).

Requirements

1. A minimum of 30 units of approved upper division and graduate courses including A/ST 592 and
A/ST 610. At least 18 units must be in the 500-600 series composed of units earned at this University in graduate courses, graduate seminars, Directed Studies/Research or Thesis. All seminars and independent study courses may be repeated to a total of six (6) units, provided the topic is different. Directed Studies, Readings and Research, in any combination, may not exceed a total of six (6) units: A/ST 698 (thesis) must be taken for a minimum of four and a maximum of six units will be given for A/ST 698 for those taking the thesis option.

2. A minimum of three upper division units in each of two disciplines of concentration must be taken preparatory to seminar work. Students should take at least six units of 500/600 level work in each of the two disciplines or concentrations;
(N.B. Determination of the disciplinary status of any Asian Studies or any other courses taken at CSULB or other academic institutions shall be at the discretion of the Graduate Advisor in consultation with faculty, review of syllabi and reading lists, assessment of transcripts, etc.)

3. Comprehensive written examination in each of the two disciplines of concentration or a thesis. Students must have received permission of the Graduate Advisor, faculty advisor and prospective committee members before being allowed to file for the thesis option. Once selected, a student may not change his/her option.

4. Six units (beyond the B.A. level) in Chinese or Japanese or an Asian language approved by the Graduate Advisor. Waiver of this requirement, either by transfer of credits from another institution or by assessment of proficiency by resident faculty, is at the discretion of the Graduate Advisor of the Department of Asian and Asian American Studies.

Upper Division Courses Acceptable:
A/ST 320, 406AB, 490, 492, 499; ANTH 332, 333, 335, *416, *417, *419, 427, *490; AH 466, 467, 468, 469, 470A/B, 471A/B, *497, *498; CWL 403, *448, *499; CHIN 380, 390, 410, 430ABC, 451, 488, 490, 492, 499; GEOG 326, *494, *497; HIST 384, 385, 386, 405, 406A, 406B, 409, 488, *495, *498; JAPN 350, 451, 471, 490, 497; *PHIL 499; POSC 362, 364, 455, 469*, *489, *497, *499; R/ST *490, *499; *W/ST 406, 406A, 490, *499
* course must be an approved Asia-related topic.