Academic Catalog 2024-2025

Asian-Pacific Studies

College of Arts and Humanities

Program Description

Undergraduate

The Asian-Pacific Studies Department offers an interdisciplinary major and minor in the study of Asian, Asian American, and Pacific Islander cultures, emphasizing a transnational perspective. Two concentrations are offered in the major:

  1. The Asian-Pacific Studies Concentration focuses on Asian-Pacific peoples, societies, and nations from the perspective of their historical, cultural and political experiences from antiquity to the present. It covers ancient civilizations, history, culture, philosophy, religion, politics, economics, and gender and family relations. It also explores the interconnections of Asian Pacific societies with the rest of the world. Though not required, Study Abroad and Asian language classes are highly recommended.
  2. The Asian American and Pacific Islander Studies Concentration focuses on Asian American and Pacific Islander American history, community formation, education, gender and family relations, culture and social and political development including intra-Asian dynamics and relationships with other ethnic communities and the larger society. An internship course with a community organization is an important component of this concentration.

The major and minor in Asian-Pacific Studies are designed for students seeking to either complement their studies of other civilizations and cultures, or to pursue graduate study, foreign service, international business, teaching careers, or work in health science fields and community services.

Features

The University is located in a unique area at the nexus of the international ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. Numerous corporations in Los Angeles and Orange counties represent the increasing importance of America's relations with the Asian-Pacific region.

Academic Advisement

Department Chair will help students plan their course of study to fulfill requirements for an Asian-Pacific Studies major or minor.

Students should see the department chair upon first entering CSU Dominguez Hills, at the beginning of their junior year and at the beginning of their senior year.

Preparation

Asian-Pacific Studies is open to all students who are admitted to the University.

Opportunities to Study Abroad

The California State University International Programs make available to students, who would like to have firsthand knowledge of Asia, an opportunity to study at Waseda University (Japan), University of Tsukuba (Japan), Yonsei University (Korea), and Peking University (China).

Languages

There are no language requirements for the Asian-Pacific Studies degree program; however, students are encouraged to study an Asian language.

Graduation with Honors

An undergraduate student may graduate with Honors in Asian-Pacific Studies provided that the following criteria are met:

  1. A minimum of 36 units in residence at CSU Dominguez Hills;
  2. A minimum grade point average of 3.5 in all courses used to satisfy the requirements in the major;
  3. Eight upper division courses taken in the Asian-Pacific Studies Program

Student Organizations

The student group, the Asian and Pacific Islander Association (APIA), is directly affiliated with the Asian-Pacific Studies Department. The department also supports other Asian and Pacific Islander student groups including Pagsikapan (Pilipino-American Student Community), Vietnamese Student Association, Oceania, and the Korean Culture Club.