Asian American and Pacific Islander Studies Major Requirements

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The Asian American and Pacific Islander Studies major provides students detailed knowledge about a major U.S. group whose lives extend beyond the borders of the United States and into the Pacific Islands and throughout Asia. It also offers an expansive lens into the enduring topics of race, transnationalism, group identity, empire, and more. The interdisciplinary major bridges the humanities and social sciences so that students develop diverse perspectives and methodological skills while still centered around core themes. Students are encouraged to make connections between content inside the course and outside in local, national, and international spaces. The major prepares students for graduate work in humanities and social science programs. Simultaneously, it will connect students to practical opportunities so that students can apply what they learn in a variety of venues.

Nine courses are required for the major:

• Two courses must be foundation courses, in distinct fields of social sciences, history, and literature (e.g., taking two social science courses means you still must take a history or literature course)
• No more than four courses can be listed or cross-listed in the same department
• No more than two-thirds of the courses can be within a single division of humanities or social sciences
• Students may count up to two Five College courses or study away courses
• At least three courses need to be at the 300 level or above

Additionally, students must complete a capstone experience (which can be an honors thesis), often within a course at the upper-most level of a department, and present on their capstones at
an annual symposium.