Asian Studies Major

The major in Asian Studies is multidisciplinary. Students can enroll in classes offered by the CAPS and by a wide range of departments and programs, such as anthropology, art, Chinese, comparative literature, economics, history, Japanese, Korean, philosophy, political science, religious studies, sociology, and women’s studies. Because the program draws its faculty from multiple programs and departments on the SDSU campus, the major is able to provide resources for understanding East Asia, South and Southeast Asia, the Pacific Rim, the relation of these peoples and cultures to North America, and Asian American diaspora communities.

Areas of special interest may be pursued in depth by taking courses related to a sub-area in Asia (i.e. East Asia, or South/Southeast Asia) or disciplinary interests (i.e. humanities, or social sciences). Asian Studies Majors are strongly encouraged to specialize in one Asian language (e.g. Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Filipino and Vietnamese) to fulfill the university foreign language requirements.

The Major provides students with the background for careers that require an understanding of Asia, whether in academic, business, government, or community and social services. Students in the major develop an understanding of cultural heritage, societies, and languages, as well as the social, political, and environmental issues of the Asian and Pacific regions.

Non-majors who wish to increase their understanding about Asian and Pacific peoples and cultures will find courses in Asian Studies. Many Asian Studies courses also satisfy General Education requirements.

Asian Studies Major Requirement

The Asian Studies Major requires Asian 100 and 101 as preparatory courses, and 27 upper division units in Asian studies courses that are offered by the Center and other departments and programs. Please see the Major Worksheet (pdf) for details.

Asian Studies Advising

Students interested in majoring in Asian Studies should begin by declaring the major, either at the time of admission to the university, or by filling out a Declaration of Major form.  This form requires a signature from the Asian Studies adviser. The Asian Studies major code is 111101.

Once a student has declared the Asian Studies major, he or she is strongly encouraged to meet with the Major adviser to establish a plan of study based on the Major Worksheet (pdf).  The adviser is there to assist you in taking increased responsibility in your learning and development and to help you overcome any blocks to that progress.  Students are encouraged to check in with an adviser at least once a year to review their academic record. Office hours for the advisers are usually posted outside the Center Office in AL 473.

One semester prior to graduation, the student must submit a Master Plan, completed with the help of the Major adviser, to the University Advising Center.