Minor in Asian American Studies
The Minor in Asian American Studies explores Asian American identity and history from an interdisciplinary perspective. The 18-credit program requires one introductory course in Asian American literature, an American Studies course on either immigration history or race/racism and one English course in Asian American or postcolonial studies.
In addition, students choose three electives from options including The Anthropology of Gender: Cross-Cultural Perspectives, Race and Minority Relations, Japanese Culture Through Film, The Asian American Experience Through Movement and Performance and more. Students also have the option to apply an approved internship toward the elective requirements.
How to Apply
Students must complete a Declaration of Major/Minor form with the signature of Patricia Chu, the advisor for the minor. Contact Patricia Chu with any questions.
Student Groups
GW is home to many Asian-American student groups:
- Asian American Student Association (AASA)
- Afghan Student Association (ASU)
- Bengali Student Association (BSA)
- Chinese American Student Association (CASA)
- Dear Asian Youth (DAY), an Asian American journalism association
- Indian Student Association (ISA)
- Japanese Cultural Association (JCA)
- Korean Student Association (KSA)
- Pakistani Student Association (PSA)
- Philippine Cultural Society (PSA)
- South Asian Student Association (SAS)
- Taiwanese American Student Association (TSA)
- Vietnamese Student Association (VSA)
Course Requirements
The following requirements must be fulfilled:
The general requirements stated under Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, Undergraduate Programs.
18 credits, including one 3-credit required course, one 3-credit selected course, and 12 credits in elective courses. Not all courses are offered each year. Courses other than those listed below can count toward the minor with the permission of the program director.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required | ||
| ENGL 2100 | Introduction to Asian American Studies through Literature | |
| 3 credits in one introductory course in history selected from the following: 1 | ||
| AMST 1050 | Explorations in American Culture (on subtopic Race and Racism in U.S. History) | |
| AMST 2410 | Modern U.S. Immigration | |
| or AMST 2410W | Modern U.S. Immigration | |
| Electives | ||
| 12 credits (four courses) selected from the list below; or 3 credits in ENGL 4470 Internship and 9 credits (three courses) selected from this list: 1,2 | ||
| AMST 1050 | Explorations in American Culture (on subtopic Race and Racism in U.S. History) | |
| AMST 1200 | The Sixties in America | |
| AMST 2410 | Modern U.S. Immigration | |
| or AMST 2410W | Modern U.S. Immigration | |
| AMST 2750 | Latinos in the United States | |
| or AMST 2750W | Latinos in the United States | |
| AMST 3360 | African American History to 1865 | |
| ANTH 2501 | The Anthropology of Gender: Cross-Cultural Perspectives | |
| or WGSS 2121 | The Anthropology of Gender: Cross-Cultural Perspectives | |
| ENGL 3730 | Topics in Global Postcolonial Literature and Film | |
| or ENGL 3730W | Topics in Global Postcolonial Literature and Film | |
| ENGL 3800 | Hawaiian Literary Renaissance | |
| ENGL 3960 | Asian American Literature | |
| or ENGL 3960W | Asian American Literature | |
| ENGL 3965 | Topics in Asian American Cultural Studies | |
| ENGL 4470 | Internship | |
| HIST 2630 | History of Korea | |
| HIST 3611 | History of Modern China | |
| HIST 3621 | History of Modern Japan | |
| HIST 3640 | History of Southeast Asia | |
| HIST 3650 | Modern South Asia, 1750-Present | |
| JAPN 3162 | Japanese Culture Through Film | |
| PSYC 2101 | Research Methods in Psychology | |
| PSYC 3125 | Cross-Cultural Psychology | |
| PSYC 3126W | Multicultural Psychology | |
| SOC 1001 | Introduction to Sociology | |
| or SOC 1002 | The Sociological Imagination | |
| SOC 2174 | Sociology of Immigration | |
| or SOC 2179 | Race and Minority Relations | |
1The following courses can be counted as either a required or an elective course, but not both: AMST 1050; and AMST 2410 or AMST 2410W.
2Up to 6 credits (two courses) in Psychology (PSYC) can be counted toward the elective requirement. PSYC 2101 is a prerequisite for PSYC 3125 and PSYC 3126W. For additional prerequisites for PSYC 2101 and PSYC 3125, consult the Psychology course listing in this Bulletin. Because psychology courses on race and culture are 3000-level courses with up to four prerequisites, the psychology option is offered for psychology majors or those able to take two or three prerequisites outside this minor.
Up to 6 credits (two courses) in Sociology (SOC) can be counted toward the elective requirement, including one 1000-level course and one 2000-level course. SOC 1001 and SOC 1002 are prerequisites for SOC 2174 and SOC 2179.