The new Asian Pacific American Studies (APAS) Minor is an innovative, stand-alone minor that is meant to complement any major and career trajectory. Those seeking to work in the 21st-century global economy will gain knowledge of the cultural and political dynamics of our multicultural society, communication skills transferable to many work environments, and the practical experience of being part of a diverse learning community.
In content, the APAS Minor will provide knowledge of the interactions between the United States and Asian nations as well as a deeper sense of the challenges and possibilities of the United States for immigrants and their descendants. Graduates with experience in APA Studies go on to careers in law, education, international relations, entrepreneurship, tourism, social work, non-profits, and community advocacy, among others.
The "Core" courses (2 required) cover history, society, and culture of APAs, and one "Affinity" course (1 required) can be chosen from across the university on the wider culture and politics of the United States (a course you may have already taken! - check the list). The remaining three required upper-division courses come from multiple departments and expand on the theory, culture, and history discussed in the Core courses. Up to 3 upper-division units may also come from the study of languages, internships, thesis, and more. A grand total of 6 courses that often can be wholly fulfilled in 1 academic year!
Asian Pacific American Studies analyzes immigrants and generations of their descendants from the continent of Asia and the Pacific Ocean, which includes over 50 nationalities represented in the United States. From surviving war, environmental disaster, and economic collapse, to leading technological and medical fields, APAs embody the dynamics of the 21st century. Given their diverse and complex relationships to the U.S. and other nations, studying APAs provides advanced insights into local, national, and global issues. Students gain essential perspectives and analytical tools for any career.
APA Studies in general, and the Minor in particular, addresses four core research areas: Orientalism as articulated by Edward Said,immigration and diaspora studies, American international and domestic politics, and cultural and media studies. Faculty in the College of the Humanities and others across the university have expertise and major publications in these core research areas and already offer courses that address them. Core courses for the APA Studies Minor build knowledge of the research areas and emphasize their practical application. Moreover, the APA Studies Minor can bring the above theoretical frameworks together with the option of having an internship, Honors thesis topic, or another course with an APA-Studies-focused project count towards the Minor.
Whether it's a passion for languages, literatures and culture, a calling to serve others around the world, or simply a desire to be a better human, see why we choose Humanities.