Program Description

This dynamic program is designed to serve a wide range of students, from business and management majors who hope someday to conduct business in Asia to Asian Americans who wish to explore their histories, cultures, and the relationships of their communities to American society. The Certificate is open to all UMass Amherst undergrad students, regardless of major.

You must complete a total of 22 credits in both Asian- and Asian American-focused courses -- two required courses, at least two courses in both areas, then you choose one of the two as your specialization and take two more courses in that area.


Specific Requirements


ASIAN STUDIES
ASIAN AMERICAN STUDIES

  1. Regardless of which track you choose, you must take BOTH of the following courses:
    1. Asian Studies 397 -- Colloquium (2 Credits)
    2. Asian Studies 491 -- Senior Seminar (3 Credits)

  1. Regardless of which track you choose, you must take at least:
    1. 6 credits in Asian Studies courses
      AND
    2. 6 credits in Asian American Studies courses

  1. 6 additional credits in your chosen track of specialization, either:
    1. Asian Studies courses
      OR
    2. Asian American Studies courses
      Must include Sociology 291A/240 (Sociology of the Asian American Experience)

Choosing a Concentration & Other Options

Asian Dragon

Students will eventually choose one of two concentrations/tracks: (1) Asian Studies, which focuses on studies of East, South, and Southeast Asia; or (2) Asian American Studies, which emphasizes Asian American histories, cultures, and politics. The requirements for the two tracks are as follows:

(A) Requirements for Both Concentrations

  1. Students are required to take 22 credits total to obtain a certificate in either track.
  2. The Asian Studies track requires 6 credits from courses in Asian American studies and students in Asian American Studies are required to take 6 credits from courses in Asian Studies and/or Asian languages.
  3. No pass/fail option is available in required courses; a minimum grade of C is needed in each required course.
  4. Students in both tracks are required to take the following two courses:
    1. ASIAN STUDIES 397: A one-semester colloquium (one or two credit, depending on instructor), featuring guest speakers, film screenings, and discussions focusing on topics demonstrating the intersections between Asian and Asian American Studies and the applications of a joint Asian/Asian American Studies perspective.
    2. ASIAN STUDIES 491: A one-semester seminar capstone/thesis course (three credits) that will build on the first colloquium (although you do not have to take 397 first) and offer the students an opportunity to undertake a research project in Asian or Asian American Studies, under the guidance of a faculty advisor.


(B) Requirements for Asian Studies Concentration

Asian Studies courses from which students can choose electives are listed in Appendix C:

  1. The remaining 12 credits must cover at least two different cultural heritages (e.g., China, Japan, Vietnam);
  2. No more than 12 credits may be taken in any one department;
  3. No more than the total of 6 credits of language (or combination of languages) may be counted toward the fulfillment of the 22 total credits required for the Certificate. Students in the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences using the Asian Area Studies Certificate to meet their Global Education requirements must take 6 credits of Asian Language.


(C) Requirements for Asian American Studies Concentration

There is one required course for the Asian American Studies track, in addition to the two common core courses (the Colloquium and Senior Seminar; See Item A above for descriptions of the Colloquium ad Senior Seminar):

  1. Sociology 240 - Sociology of the Asian American Experience (3 credits)


With approval from the Program Director, students may substitute courses from the Five Colleges and/or study abroad to count toward the Certificate.