What is Asian American Studies?
The Asian American Studies Major
The Asian American Studies Minor
Recommended Study in Related Areas
Independent Study and Departmental Honors
What is Asian American Studies?
The Intercollegiate Asian American Studies Program offers an interdisciplinary approach to exploring the hitherto neglected experiences of Asians in the U.S. in a manner integrating academic disciplines with community work. The courses are open to all students of The Claremont Colleges. They provide undergraduates with an understanding of the diversity and complexity of this segment of United States society in the global context of Diaspora and immigrant communities; race and ethnic relations; colonialism, neocolonialism, and capitalism; and intercultural understanding in a multicultural world. The program seeks to promote teaching, research, community service, and cultural activities related to Americans of Asian heritage, while also preparing students for various careers in the community, private or public sector, along with graduate work. Both a full concentration and a joint concentration are available, and interested students should consult with a program advisor on the most appropriate course of study.
If you are interested in discovering what Asian American Studies is all about, come talk to one of your Asian American Studies professors at Pitzer. Just drop in on one of us and we will be more than happy to chat with you.
A concentration in Asian American Studies covers the interdisciplinary nature of the field and provides exposure to a variety of theoretical and methodological approaches to this area of study. The student wishing to concentrate in Asian American Studies should develop an appropriate individual program in consultation with Asian American Studies advisors. Students will normally be asked to complete the following program of twelve courses from the list below.
1. Five introductory courses:
a. American Studies 50. Asian American Experiences
b. A broad introductory course in each of the following four areas:
i. Asian studies
ii. American studies
iii. Race and ethnic studies
iv. World history of immigration and imperialism
2. Six core upper-level Asian American courses:
The six courses must include at least one course in four of the five core areas of (i) history, (ii) psychology, (iii) anthropology/sociology, (iv) literature, and (v) fine and performing arts.
3. One capstone course:
Community Internship, Senior Seminar, Senior Thesis, or Senior Project.
One year of an appropriate language is strongly recommended for students interested in community work, research, or graduate school.
While Pitzer does not have an officially recognized Asian American Studies minor, students can gain a basic introduction to Asian American Studies theory and methods as a complement to study in another area by completing a joint major. Students interested in Asian American Studies may consider a joint concentration combing this field with another area of interest. The joint concentration requires a minimum of eight courses in Asian American Studies in addition to fulfilling the requirements for another concentration. Ideally some courses would overlap between the two disciplines. The students would have the option of doing a senior project which bridges both concentrations. The course requirements are:
1. Three introductory courses:
a. American Studies 50. Asian American Experiences
b. A broad introductory course in two of the following areas:
i. Asian studies
ii. American studies
iii. Race and ethnic studies
iv. World history of immigration and imperialism
2. Four core upper-level Asian American courses:
The four courses must include at least one course in three of the five core areas of (i) history, (ii) psychology, (iii) anthropology/sociology, (iv) literature, and (v) fine and performing arts.
3. Requirements in another discipline for a combined concentration.
4. One capstone course:
Community Internship, Senior Seminar, Senior Thesis, or Senior Project.
One year of an appropriate language is recommended.
Asian American Studies is an interdisciplinary area of study. As such, it is critical for students to gain an understanding of the tools of various disciplines like literature, history, psychology, sociology, political studies, and economics.
Students may undertake research or independent study. Speak to one of the faculty members. All students who are candidates for departmental honors will be asked to write a senior thesis.
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