Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Asian American Studies Program?
The Asian American Studies Program at the University of Maryland is a top ethnic studies program in the eastern United States focusing on the histories, identities, and experiences of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. Each year, about 800 students take courses in Asian American Studies. Asian Americans are the largest ethnic minority group at the University of Maryland, comprising more than 20 percent of the campus population. We are building a program as diverse as our community through new courses that seek to better understand Asian Americans in a transnational and comparative racial and ethnic context.
What are the most popular courses offered by AAST?
Some of our most popular courses include AAST351: Asian Americans and Media, AAST355: Asian Americans in Film, AAST394: Growing Up Asian American: The Asian Immigrant Family and the Second Generation, and AAST440: South Asian American Literature & Culture. Check out the current AAST course offerings on Testudo.
Does AAST offer courses that fulfill university graduation requirements?
AAST offers a range of courses that fulfill university General Education requirements.
AAST200: Introduction to Asian American Studies - DSHS, DVUP
AAST201: Asian American History - DSHS, DVUP
AAST233: Asian American Literature - DSHU, DVUP
AAST250: Asian American Foodways - DSHU
AAST322: Immigration and Ethnicity - DSHS, DVUP
AAST350: South Asian American Experiences - DSHU
AAST351: Asian Americans and Media - DSSP, DVUP
AAST355: Asian Americans in Film - DSHU, DVUP
AAST363: Filipino American History and Biography - DSHS, DVUP
AAST394: Growing Up Asian American: The Asian Immigrant Family and the Second Generation - DVCC
AAST421: Asian American Public Policy - DVCC
AAST440: South Asian American Literature & Culture - DSHU, DVUP
AAST443: Asian American Politics - DSHS, DVUP
Do AAST courses have prerequisites?
The vast majority of AAST courses do not require prior coursework, but a few cross-listed courses do require pre-requisites or permission from the AAST instructor. If you need permission to enroll into a course, please email aast-advising@umd.edu for more information.
What are the requirements for completing the minor program?
The Asian American Studies minor requires a total of 15 credits, which has three main requirements. They include one of two foundational courses (AAST200 or AAST201), two AAST electives and one Comparative Marginalizations or Global/Transnational/International course (CM/GTI), and at least one 400-level AAST course. For more information on the minor program, visit our AAST Minor page.
How do I minor in Asian American Studies?
To enroll in the Asian American Studies (AAST) minor, simply fill out the enrollment/inquiry form on the AAST Minor page and schedule an advising appointment on TerpEngage.
Are AAST minors granted privileges or priority when registering for courses?
AAST reserves the last 10% of seats (3-4 depending on class size) for AAST minors in the highest waitlisted classes. Additionally, if a course is full by the time of student registration, AAST minors may email the Program Coordinator to request oversubscription, which means to skip the waitlist and enroll directly into the course. AAST minors are allowed to oversubscribe one course per semester, on a first come, first served basis. Oversubscription to any course will be capped at two students. To register for a reserved seat or oversubscribe, please email Kai Kai Mascareñas (kaimasca@umd.edu) directly and not the faculty with this request.
What internship opportunities are available through AAST?
The Washington, D.C. metropolitan area is home to many national Asian American organizations and an internship with one of these organizations represents a truly unique opportunity to learn about issues facing and advocacy for Asian Americans in the United States. We offer opportunities for students to participate in internships for course credit (AAST378). Be sure to sign up for our newsletter below to receive weekly emails during the academic year. This will allow you to stay updated with internship opportunities and more!
How can I get involved with the Asian American community?
You can subscribe to the AAST Weekly Newsletter to receive information bi-weekly about upcoming events, scholarships and internships, and volunteer opportunities in the Asian American community. Follow @aastumd on Instagram and visit our office at 2117 Susquehanna Hall.