Frequently Asked Questions

 
 

The Asian American Studies Program and Resource Center 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 750 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.



Some of our most popular courses include AAST355 (Asian Americans in Films), AAST363 (Filipino American History and Biography), and AAST394 (Growing Up Asian American: The Asian Immigrant Family and the Second Generation). We also offer opportunities for student to participate in internships for course credit. 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.



Yes! AAST offers a range of courses that fulfill university General Education requirements. For Phones, Flip Screen Horizontally to view full table.

Distributive
Studies:
History and Social
Sciences
(DSHS)

Distributive Studies:
Humanities
(DSHU)

Distributive
Studies:
Scholarship
in Practice
(DSSP)

Diversity:
Under-
standing
Plural Societies
(DVUP)

Diversity:
Cultural
Competency
(DVCC)
AAST200- Introduction to Asian American Studies

X

x

AAST201- Asian American History

X

x
AAST222- Immigration and Ethnicity

X

x
AAST233- Introduction to Asian American Literature

X

x

AAST310- Introduction to Comparative Ethnic and Racial Studies x

x
AAST351- Asian Americans and Media

x x

AAST355- Asian American in Film

x x
AAST363- Filipino American History and Biography x

x

AAST394- Growing Up Asian American: The Asian Immigrant Family and the Second Generation

x
AAST421- Asian American Public Policy

x
AAST440- South Asian American Literature and Culture

X

x
AAST443- Asian American Politics x

x

More courses will be approved for General Education over time, so be sure to check Testudo for the latest offerings.



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. Please contact our office at 301.405.0996 or aast-advising@umd.edu for more information.



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Asian American Studies minor requires a total of 15 credits, which includes one of two foundational courses (AAST200 or AAST201), three AAST or other approved elective courses, and one upper division AAST course. For more information on the minor program,click here;



To enroll in the Asian American Studies (AAST) minor, simply fill out an enrollment/inquiry form here, or email aast-advising@umd.edu with your name, UID, and your intent to minor.



You can subscribe to the AAST listserv to receive information bi-weekly about upcoming events, scholarships and internships, and volunteer opportunities in the Asian American community. Email aast@umd.edu and request to be added to our email list. You can also LIKE our Facebook page, and don't forget you can also stop by our office at 2117 Susquehanna Hall.