Asian Studies
Department Information
Department of History
College of Letters, Arts, and Social Sciences
Office: Meiklejohn Hall 4036
Phone: (510) 885-3207
Associate Professors
Vahid Fozdar (History), Ph.D. University of California, Berkeley
Laura Nelson (Anthropology), Ph.D. Stanford University
David Woo (Geography and Environmental Studies), Ph.D. University of California, Santa Barbara
Meiling Wu (Modern Languages and Literatures), Ph.D. State University of New York at Binghamton
Assistant Professors
Maria Consuelo C. Ortuoste (Political Science), Ph.D. Arizona State University
Christopher Moreman (Philosophy), Ph.D. University of Wales, Lampeter
Andrew Wong (Anthropology), Ph.D. Stanford University
Director: Vahid Fozdar
Program Description
All students are invited to include some courses on Asia in their programs in order to enhance their critical understanding of the West's interrelatedness with the regions where half of humanity lives. The Asian countries are steeped in traditions that have elaborated different possibilities than those with which many Americans are acquainted. The Asian peoples have liberated themselves from Western rule and they are trying to establish equal relations with the West, while they work to come to terms with science, technology, and democracy in their own countries.
The Asian Studies faculty, in cooperation with Asian American student groups and concerned community members, attempt to encourage mutual understanding of East and West through regular courses in various departments (see following list); through new courses listed in the Class Schedule and Independent Study; through occasional workshops, lectures, and cultural events; and through outreach work in the Bay Area schools. The program is supplemented with topics such as Yoga, Judo, and Karate (Kinesiology and Physical Education). Notice also that certain general courses in the curriculum include a major Asian component: for example, Mankind and Food, Folklore (Anthropology), International Finance and Trade (Economics), Nutrition and Diet Therapy (Health Sciences), Multinational Business (Management Sciences), International Marketing (Marketing), International Relations and Contemporary World Problems (Political Science), and World Development (Sociology), among others. The Asian Studies Program faculty publicizes these and related matters. Study abroad courses, as well as short educational tours, have been offered in several Asian countries.
Minor in Asian Studies
Students with broader interests in Asia can build into their curriculum a Minor in Asian Studies consisting of eight courses (32 units). The minor is designed to complement the student's major by grouping courses taken as part of the major, courses taken to fulfill General Education requirements, and free electives into a package emphasizing Asia. A minimum of 18 units must be taken outside the student's major.
Although the Minor in Asian Studies does not include a foreign language requirement, one year of an Asian language may be counted toward fulfillment of the minor requirements. Students wishing to go on to graduate school in Asian Studies are strongly encouraged to begin their language study as part of their undergraduate training. Mandarin Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese and Filipino are offered on campus.
It is also possible to include courses taken at the universities that are associated with the International Programs of the California State University system; these opportunities presently exist in China, Japan, Korea and Taiwanand others are being considered.
Thirty-two units (eight courses) may be chosen from the following list. No more than 12 units (three courses) in one department. At least 12 upper division units are required.
- ANTH 3545 China (4)
- ANTH 3550 Japan (4)
- GEOG 3540 Geography of East Asia (4)
- GEOG 3550 Geography of Southeast Asia (4)
- HIST 3301 Modern Asia (4)
- HIST 3311 Traditional China (4)
- HIST 3312 Modern China (4)
- HIST 3313 People's Republic of China (4)
- HIST 3322 Early Japan (4)
- HIST 3325 Postwar Japan (4)
- MLL 1601-2-3 Elementary Mandarin Chinese I, II, III (4 each)
- MLL 1651-2-3 Elementary Filipino I, II, III (4 each)
- MLL 1751-2-3 Elementary Vietnamese I, II, III (4 each)
- MLL 1801-2-3 Elementary Japanese I, II, III (4 each)
- MLL 2831 Asian Thought (4)
- PHIL 1401 Religions of the World (4)
- PHIL 2605 Asian Thought (4)
- PHIL 3403 Philosophies of the East (4)
- PHIL 3410 Comparative Themes in Eastern and Western Philosophy (4)
- POSC 3204 Political Systems in Asia (4)
Although not part of the courses that count in the minor, Asian courses in Kinesiology and Physical Education are a much appreciated supplement to the Asian Studies program. Yoga, Judo, and Karate combine the wisdom of the body with self-understanding, and enhance learning skills, general alertness, and fitness.
Minor in Filipino/Filipino American Studies
See Filipino/Filipino American Studies chapter.
