Asian American Studies Program

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Program Coordinator

Eliza Noh

Program Office/Website

Humanities 314
657-278-2006
hss.fullerton.edu/asian-american

Instructional Faculty

Jeffrey Brody (Communications), Thomas Fujita-Rony (Asian American Studies), Richard Jong (Asian American Studies), Mikyong Kim-Goh (Human Services), Tu-Uyen Nguyen (Asian American Studies), Eliza Noh (Asian American Studies), Carolina Ojeda-Kimbrough (Asian American Studies) Michael Perez (Sociology), Eric Reyes (Asian American Studies), Yichin Shen (English and Comparative Literature), Jennifer A. Yee (Asian American Studies)

Introduction

Asian American Studies (ASAM) is a dynamic, interdisciplinary field inviting students to engage critically in a community of learners. Committed to social justice, Asian American Studies faculty offer opportunities for students to learn about the experiences, expression, history and contemporary social, political and economic conditions of Americans of Asian and Pacific Islander ancestry, including those who trace their origins to Central, South, Southeast and East Asia, and the Pacific Islands.

ASAM is an option within the Ethnic Studies degree. Students may investigate the courses offered within the ASAM program, the cross-disciplinary coursework within the degree program and affiliated courses on Asian American history, art, literature, philosophy, politics, psychology, socio-economics and relations to other ethnic and socio-political groups throughout the university. Students who complete either the Option or Minor in ASAM take with them a sensitivity to and knowledge of Asian American and Pacific Islander issues, history and identities in areas such as artistic
expression, public health, education and urban planning.

ASAM faculty consciously focus on creating awareness and understanding of the distribution of power and privilege in the United States, along the intersections of race, gender, class, sexual orientation, ability and belief systems. Reflecting the origins of Asian American Studies as a field, ASAM offers accessible and meaningful learning opportunities in the classroom, in the community and online. The requirement of experiential and community-based learning reflects ASAM’s commitment to fostering in students a spirit of scholarly and creative inquiry, service to community and society, and civic responsibility.

Learning Goals and Student Learning Outcomes

The following goals and learning outcomes have been established for students pursuing a degree in Asian American Studies:

Knowledge

• Describe the diversity among and the complexity within Asian American and Pacific Islander ethnic groups
• Demonstrate a familiarity with the history of more than one Asian American and/ or Pacific Islander ethnic group before and after arrival in the United States where appropriate, including the obstacles they have faced and the contributions they have made to our society
• Identify important similarities and differences between Asian American and Pacific Islander and non-Asian and Pacific Islander groups
• Identify important similarities and differences between Asians, Pacific Islanders, and Asian Americans

Critical Thinking and Communicating

• Understand and be able to utilize various methodologies used in Asian American Studies
• Demonstrate the ability to think critically, to write clearly and to speak persuasively, including the use of technology and multimedia tools, where appropriate
• Possess information competency skills, including:
• The ability to determine the nature and extent of the information needed
• The ability to access needed information effectively and efficiently
• The ability to evaluate information and its sources critically and incorporate information into his or her knowledge base and value system
• The ability to use information effectively to accomplish a specific purpose
• The ability to understand many of the economic, legal, and social issues surrounding the use of information and uses of information ethically and legally

Social Awareness and Civic Engagement

• Possess knowledge about local Asian American and Pacific Islander communities outside the university
• Identify, understand, and be able to discuss the needs of Asian American and Pacific Islander communities and the contexts in which they exist

Programs and Courses Offered

Programs

• Ethnic Studies, Option in Asian American Studies, B.A.

• Asian American Studies Minor

Courses

Courses are designated as ASAM in the class schedule.

• ASAM 101 - Introduction to Ethnic Studies (3)
• ASAM 190 - Survey of American History with Emphasis on Ethnic Minorities (3)
• ASAM 201 - History of Asian Americans (3)
• ASAM 220 - Vietnamese Communities in the U.S. (3)
• ASAM 230 - Civic Engagement Through Asian American and Pacific Islander Studies (3)
• ASAM 300 - Introduction to Asian Pacific American Studies (3)
• ASAM 307 - Research and Writing in Ethnic Studies (3)
• ASAM 308 - Asian American Women (3)
• ASAM 320 - Asian American Creative Expression (3)
• ASAM 322 - Asian Pacific Americans and Religion (3)
• ASAM 325 - Asian American Film and Video (3)
• ASAM 327 - Asian American Literature (3)
• ASAM 340 - Asian American Communication (3)
• ASAM 342 - Asian Pacific American Families (3)
• ASAM 344 - Asian Pacific American Identities (3)
• ASAM 346 - Asian American Psychology (3)
• ASAM 360 - Multiple Heritage Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (3)
• ASAM 362A - Filipina/o American Experience (3)
• ASAM 364 - The South Asian American Experience (3)
• ASAM 366 - The Korean American Experience (3)
• ASAM 370 - The Chinese American Experience (3)
• ASAM 382 - World War II Japanese American Evacuation (3)
• ASAM 389 - Literature About the War in Vietnam (3)
• ASAM 495 - Internship in Asian American Studies (3)
• ASAM 496 - Student-to-Student Tutorials (1-3)
• ASAM 499 - Independent Study (1-3)

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