Asian American Studies
Bachelor of Arts and Minor
University of California, Los Angeles

Asian American Studies is an Interdepartmental Program promoting the study of Asian and Pacific Islander peoples in the United States. A major goal of the program is to communicate the experience of Asians and Pacific Islanders as an American ethnic group. The undergraduate program provides a general introduction to Asian American Studies for those who anticipate advanced work at the graduate level or careers in research, public service, and community work related to Asian Pacific Americans.

Courses examine the important issues and concerns of Asian Americans, including their history, social organization, culture, and intra/inter-group relations. An undergraduate major is available for those who wish to pursue their studies about Asian Pacific Americans in more depth. Students who are enrolled in an organized major other than Asian American Studies may pursue an undergraduate minor in the field. After completing an undergraduate program, students may be interested in pursuing a graduate program such as the UCLA AAS Master of Arts degree.

For Academic Advising or more information, appointments can be made at the UCLA Asian American Studies Center, 3230 Campbell Hall, or call (310) 825-2974.

Asian American Studies Bachelor of Arts Requirements

The B.A. program provides a general introduction to Asian American Studies for those who anticipate advanced work at the graduate level or careers in research, public service, and community work related to Asian Pacific Americans. Courses examine the important issues and concerns of Asian Pacific Americans, including their history, social organization, and culture.

An overall GPA of 2.0 is required for admission into the Major. All major classes must be taken for a letter grade. Students will also be expected to satisfy the requirements for the Major within the minimum 180 and maximum 216 (plus AP) course units limit set by the College of Letters and Science.

Course Requirements* :

Two (2) lower division course and twelve (12) upper division courses for a total of fourteen (14) courses total. Of the fourteen required courses, seven (7) must be taken from classes listed as Asian American Studies courses and while the remaining seven (7) must be taken from the Interdepartmental Program (IDP) list of courses (see below). In addition, he fourteen courses must be taken accordance with the following guidelines:

1. Two (2) required Core courses: AAS 10 (formerly AAS 99), AAS 20 (fomerly AAS 100);
2. One (1) Research Methods course;
3. Two (2) Asian American Theme courses
4. Two (2) courses focusing on Asian Pacific American Ethnic Specific Group;
5. Two (2) courses on Ethnic/Race/Gender Relations;
6. Two (2) courses on the History/Culture/Social or Political institutions of Asia;
7. Three (3) Elective courses in Asian American Studies or from the Interdepartmental; only ONE (1) of the three elective courses may be an Asian area IDP course; and
8. Quarter level three proficiency in an Asian (i.e., East Asian, South Asian, or Southeast Asian) language (see below).

* Note:

• Courses are listed by requirement categories on the following pages.
• ONLY three (3) Asian area courses can be applied towards the Asian American Studies Major. Two (2) of the three (3) Asian area courses will apply towards the History/Culture/Social or Political institutions of Asia subgroup. The third Asian area course will apply as an IDP elective.
• At least seven (7) Interdepartmental Program/IDP courses must be taken for the Major and must be from the approved list of courses. Courses designated by an "M" are "cross listed" courses with another department. "M" cross-listed courses can be counted for either the AAS or IDP requirement. The remaining courses must be seven (7) Asian American Studies courses.
• Only eight (8) units of 199/special studies coursework, taken for a letter grade, may be applied towards the completion of course requirements for the Major.
• Students are urged to check with the program office for a current listing of Interdepartmental Program courses as well as other courses in Asian American Studies since many of these courses are often taught under the 197 series (special studies and seminars).

Language Requirement:

Foreign language placement examinations are generally administered once a year, one week before Fall quarter begins. They are sometimes offered a week before the Winter and Spring terms. Consult the aforementioned departments via the online Schedule of Classes (http://www.registrar.ucla.edu/schedule/default.asp) to determine exact time, date, and place of examinations.

Again demonstrated proficiency equivalent to the completion of a one year course of study (i.e., quarter level 3 proficiency) in an Asian language is required for the major. This can be done by taking Asian language classes or by passing out of the requirement through a language placement exam. Placement tests are administered through the following departments:

East Asian Languages and Cultures
(Chinese, Korean, and Japanese):
290 Royce Hall, (310) 206-8235
url: http://www.humnet.ucla.edu/humnet/ealc/ealcmain.html

South and Southeast Asian Languages and Cultures
(Hindi, Indonesian, Tagalog, Thai, and Vietnamese)
290 Royce Hall, (310) 206-8235.
url: http://www.humnet.ucla.edu/humnet/ssealp/

Double Major Option:

Students majoring in Asian American Studies may elect to have a second major in another discipline. Students who wish to pursue this option are required to obtain the approval of both programs.

First-year and transfer students who entered UCLA prior to Fall 2001 are expected to satisfy the requirements for both majors within the maximum 228 course units (in addition to any accrued AP units) limit set by the College of Letters and Science.

As of Fall 2001, first year students who enter UCLA are expected to satisfy the requirements for both majors within the maximum 216 course units (in addition to any accrued AP units) limit set by the College of Letters and Science.

Transfer students who enter UCLA prior to Fall 2003 are expected to satisfy the requirements for both majors within the maximum 228 (in addition to any accrued AP units). However, as of Fall 2003, all entering transfer students are expected to satisfy the requirements for both majors within the maximum 216 course units (in addition to any accrued AP units) limit set by the College of Letters and Science.

"Overlapping" Courses between Majors:

Students in a double major may not have more than five (5) 4 unit upper division courses counted towards the completion of course requirements for both majors.

Education Abroad Programs:

Students who are interested in attending study abroad programs should plan at least one year ahead of time, generally during their second (if not first) year at UCLA.
You must the Asian American Studies Center departmental counselors before you enter study abroad programs. The departmental counselors will offer general information on the application of classes taken abroad on the major, and minoræif any.

UC EAP

For information regarding specific abroad programs affiliated with the University of California System see:

UC Education Abroad Program (EAP)
1333 Hershey Hall
310-825-4995
url: http://www.isop.ucla.edu/eap/

For Academic Counseling for UC EAP on issues regarding UCLA residency rules, the "transfer" of abroad programs, senior/UCLA residency rules, etc., see:

Honors College
A 311 Murphy Hall
url: http://www.college.ucla.edu/up/honors/

*Note: You must see both EAP and Honors College before taking part in a UC EAP program.

Non-UC Study Abroad Programs

For information regarding specific abroad programs that are not affiliated with the University of California system contact:

Career Center (formerly administered by the EXPO Center)
Strathmore Building, 501 Westwood Plaza
310-825-0831
url: http://www.career.ucla.edu/

*Note: Be sure to see a counselor from your appropriate counseling (AAP, Athletics, Honors, Letters and Science) unit before enrolling in a non-UC study abroad program. Keep in mind that classes taken during non-UC study abroad programs may NOT receive "credit" (unit, grade, title) from UCLA. Therefore, be sure to check with an academic counselor about your course of study before you leave for the program.

NOTE: Appointments are same day only for full-time Letters and Science counselors.

*** Again, Students should talk with a Asian American departmental AND full-time UCLA academic counselors BEFORE leaving for abroad programs. ***

Asian American Studies Minor Requirements

A minor in Asian American Studies is available for those who wish to pursue a major in another discipline. Students who wish to Minor in Asian American Studies must be enrolled in an major other than Asian American Studies.

Requirements: Seven (7) courses; two (2) lower division courses and five (5) upper division courses taken in accordance to the following guidelines:

1. Two (2) required Core courses: AAS 10 (formerly AAS 99), AAS 20 (fomerly AAS 100);
2. One (1) Asian American Theme course;
3. One (1) Asian American Ethnic Specific Subgroup course; and
4. Three (3) Asian American Studies Elective courses.

* Only four (4) units of 199/special studies coursework, taken for a letter grade, may be applied towards the Minor.
* Only courses in Asian American Studies, or those cross-listed (designated by "M") with Asian American Studies may be taken towards the completion of course requirements for the Minor. In other words, NO Interdepartmental courses are allowed to apply for the minor unless they are cross-listed with Asian American Studies courses.

All coursework for the Minor must be taken for a letter grade except for those courses that can only be taken for P/NP credit and, an overall GPA of 2.0 must be maintained in these courses.

See the Approved AAS Course List