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Asian & Asian American Studies Certificate

Contact: Sunaina Maira

Office: 267 Bartlett Hall

Phone: 545-2972

or

Contact: James A. Hafner

Office: 233 Morrill Science Center

Phone: 545-0778

or

Contact: Department of Asian Languages and Literatures

Office: 26 Thompson

Phone: 545-0886

The Program

The Asian and Asian American Studies Certificate offers Five College students an opportunity to augment their major course of study through exploring Asian cultures and societies and their past and present roles in the world, and the experience and contributions of Asian Americans in the United States. The program is designed to serve a wide range of students-from business and marketing majors who hope someday to conduct business in Asia to Asian Americans who wish to explore their identity and the contributions of their community to American society.

The program provides a coherent course of study intended to enhance students' understanding of Asian and/or Asian American studies. Students majoring in any field on this campus or at Amherst, Hampshire, Mount Holyoke, or Smith colleges are eligible for the certificate, as are students who have been accepted into a special program at this University (e.g., Continuing Education, University Without Walls, BDIC).

Requirements

Students choose one of two concentrations, Asian Studies or Asian American Studies.

The successful completion of 22 credits with a grade of C or better (no Pass/Fail allowed) is required. Courses should be chosen from the University and/or Five College Asian Studies and Asian American Studies course list. The distribution of 22 credits is as follows:

Required common core courses for both concentrations (4 credits):

1. ASIANS 397-One-semester, one-credit Speakers Colloquium;

2. ASIANS 597-One-semester, three-credit Senior Seminar with opportunities for research in Asian or Asian American studies under faculty guidance.

Additional Requirements for the Asian Studies Concentration (18 credits):

1. Six credits from core courses designated for the Asian American Studies Concentration.

2. Twelve credits covering at least two different cultural heritages (e.g., Japan, Vietnam, China).

Additional Requirements for the Asian American Studies Concentration (18 credits):

1. Two required courses (6 credits)

ENGL 204 Introduction to American Studies and

EDUC 329 International Education (Community Service Learning) or

ASIANS 297 Redefining Community in Asian America;

2. Two additional courses from the designated Asian American core course list (6 credits);

3. Two courses from the designated Asian Studies concentration (6 credits).

Restrictions

No more than the total of three credits of language (or combination of languages) may be counted toward the fulfillment of the 22 credits;

Students in either concentration may choose to substitute courses from the Five Colleges upon specific approval of their faculty adviser.

Non-academic credits will not be accepted toward the certificate.

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