Asian American Studies Program
Overview of Program
Asian American Studies (AAS) is an interdisciplinary field that examines the history, arts, culture, and life experiences of people of Asian descent in the United States, ranging from recent immigrants to seventh- or eighth-generation Americans. Since its emergence in the academy during the 1960s, it has enriched the research methods and findings of traditional academic disciplines, such as sociology, history, anthropology and literature. Scholarship and teaching in AAS programs addresses contemporary issues, such as Asian immigration, community development, political empowerment, labor market status, gender and sexual relations, diasporic identities, cultural representations, and civil rights. Although first established in West coast universities, AAS programs are now prospering across the nation. The formation of these new programs has been a response to compelling intellectual forces in the academy.
Asian American Studies at IU is the result of a student and faculty initiative that began in 2001.
Academic Information
Undergraduate MinorCheck out the 2009-2010 Asian American Studies course offerings at a glance.
- Why Asian American Studies?
- Will Asian American Studies be compatible with my program of studies?
- What can the Asian American Studies minor do for me?
- What are the course requirements for the undergraduate minor?
The growing visibility of Asian American populations in the United States has brought new richness to the study of Asian American communities, histories, arts, literature, and culture. Increasingly, organizations, businesses, governmental agencies, educational and professional institutions are eager to recruit individuals with backgrounds in Asian American Studies. Courses in Asian American Studies offer students the cultural overview, concepts and analytical skills to understand the diversity and complexity of Asian American communities. With the 21st century being hailed as the Asian Century, Asian American Studies provides a basis for understanding global developments in politics, information, commerce, and cultural exchange.
Will Asian American Studies be compatible with my program of studies?
Of course! Asian American Studies courses are usually cross-listed with offerings in major departments throughout the College of Arts and Sciences. The 100- and 200-level courses in the program will fulfill either an Arts & Humanities or a Social & Historical Studies requirement.
For further information, please feel free to contact us at aasp@indiana.edu.
What can the Asian American Studies minor do for me?
A minor in Asian American Studies enriches your understanding of diversity and provides you with an area of specialized knowledge as you prepare for a career in diverse fields: Law, Public Policy, Urban Planning, International Relations, Human Geography, Education (Teaching, Counseling, Policy), Arts, Arts Administration, Journalism, Medicine, Nursing, Social Work, Psychology, Business, Marketing, Public Relations.
What are the course requirements for the undergraduate minor?
The undergraduate minor in Asian American Studies consists of at least 15 credit hours, including the following:
1. AAST A101 Introduction to Asian American Studies
2. AAST A499 Senior Seminar in Asian American Studies
3. 9 credit hours from Lists A and B: at least 6 credit hours must be at the 300 level or above. At least 6 credit hours must be from list A.
List A (Asian America)
AAST A300 Topics in Asian American Studies
(Topic: Social Problems in the Health and Wellbeing of Asian America)
AMST A298 Special Topics in Arts and Humanities for American Studies (3 cr.) A & H
(Topic: Negotiating Asian/American Identities: A Survey in Asian American Literature)
AMST A299 Special Topics in Social and Historical Studies for American Studies (3 cr.) S & H
(Asian American Topics)
EALC E385 Asian Americans: Cultural Conflict and Identity (3 cr.) S & H, CSA
EDUC F401 Asian American Mental Health
ENG L374 Ethnic American Literature (3 cr.) A & H, CSA
(Asian American Topics)
HIST A205 Asian American History (3 cr.) S & H, CSA
POLS Y200 Contemporary Political Problems (3 cr.) S & H
(Topic: Asian American Politics Since the 1960s)
SOC S342 Asian American Communities and Identities (3 cr.) S & H, CSA
List B (Asian Diaspora)
AMST A398 Advanced Topics in Arts and Humanities for American Studies (3 cr.) A & H
(Topic: Responses to Empire: Reading Philippine-U.S. Contact)
CMCL C314 Communication, Culture, and Social Formations (3 c.) S & H
(Topic: Asian/Pacific Islander Families and Diasporas)
CMLT C360 Diasporic Literatures (3 cr.) A & H
(Topic: Literatures of the Asian Diaspora)
4. With the approval of the director of the Asian American Studies program, 3 credit hours of A495 Independent Reading and Research may be substituted for one AAST course at the 200 or 300 level.
5. No course taken in fulfillment of the American Studies major or minor can be applied to this minor.
6. As with all minors in the College of Arts and Sciences, at least 15 credit hours must be in College of Arts and Sciences courses. Students who choose coursework outside the College in partial fulfillment of the minor will need to take additional College of Arts and Sciences coursework to meet the minimum total of 15 credit hours in the College.
For more information, please visit: http://www.indiana.edu/~aasp
