The Asian American studies major examines the stories, contributions and struggles of various Asian American ethnic groups in their historical, political and cultural contexts. One of the first such programs in the nation, our Asian American studies department draws on multiple disciplines to provide a rich education. The major also offers opportunities to work directly with the local Asian American community through such programs as the Asian Community Center, the Asian Legal Services Organization and the Asian Free Clinic.
With the increasingly multicultural nature of society, a background in ethnic relations and cultural issues is an advantage in many occupations. Some recent graduates have gone on to film studies at NYU and USC; one recently completed a novel; and several have made careers in law, multicultural education and international business.
After you have completed a series of foundation courses on Asian American studies, the program allows you to choose a specialization in either a humanities or a social science perspective. If you choose the humanities emphasis, you will study an Asian language in depth, then choose either a language/culture or history/culture track for your upper-division studies. If you choose the social science emphasis, you will build a foundation with lower division social science courses, then select either an anthropological or a sociological/psychological track for your upper division studies. Although Asian language courses are not required for the social science emphasis, you are encouraged to take such courses to fulfill the College's foreign language graduation requirement and to deepen your understanding of Asian American cultures.
Name: Britt Sumida
Contact: bnsumida@ucdavis.edu, 530-752-4447
UC Davis Undergraduate Admissions
178 Mrak Hall
530-752-2971
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