Introduction to the Major
Asian American and Asian Diaspora Studies is dedicated to the multidisciplinary study of historical and contemporary experiences of Americans of Asian ancestry in local, national and global contexts. The program explores connections among Asian communities in the United States and around the world in terms of the entangled histories and circuits of migration and the interconnected space through which people, capital, ideas, influences, and activism flow among Asian diasporic communities.
The Asian American and Asian Diaspora Studies major and minor are offered by the Department of Ethnic Studies, which also offers a major and minor in Ethnic Studies as well as a minor in Race and the Law.
"AAADS offers students the opportunity to learn about the history of migration, the gendered racialization of Asians, the diversity within the group, and the multiple ways in which they have struggled for belonging and social justice in both national and global contexts."
- Lok Siu, Associate Professor
The Major Curriculum
The Asian American and Asian Diaspora Studies curriculum offers students a deeper understanding of the histories and contemporary realities of the different ethnic groups that comprise the “Asian American” category. Through classroom-based and experiential learning, our students engage with critical issues such as labor, health, representation and cultural production, religion, class, gender, generation, law, and social activism.
Amplify Your Major
- Enrich your studies with a summer minor in Race and the Law.
- Volunteer for local organizations such as the East Bay Asian Youth Center or Asian Women’s Shelter.
- Complete a senior honors thesis in the major.
First Year
Explore Your Major
- Meet with your major and college advisor to discuss your academic plans.
- Familiarize yourself with major and college requirements.
- Enroll in ASAMST 20A: Introduction to the History of Asians in the United States.
- Enroll in ETH STD 11AC: Introduction to Ethnic Studies.
Connect and Build Community
- Get 1:1 mentoring with Berkeley Connect in Ethnic Studies.
- Find study groups, tutoring, and academic support at the Student Learning Center.
Discover Your Passions
- Discover new interests in a Freshman Seminar, L&S 1, or a student-run DeCal course.
- Attend the Undergraduate Research and Scholarships Fair in October.
- Get inspired with the collections of the Ethnic Studies Library and Eastwind Books.
Engage Locally and Globally
- Attend the Calapalooza student activities fair and get involved with a student organization.
- Find service opportunities through the Public Service Center.
- Explore study, internship, and research abroad options with Berkeley Study Abroad.
- Check out Bay Area events like CAAMFest.
Reflect and Plan Your Future
- Visit Berkeley Career Engagement and the Career Counseling Library.
- Sign up for Handshake and CareerMail.
- Explore career fields in the Career Connections Networking Series or Cal Job Shadow Program.
- Visit the Ethnic Studies website for career ideas after graduating.
Second Year
Explore Your Major
- Enroll in ASAMST 20AC: Asian American Communities and Race Relations, ASAMST 20B: Contemporary Issues in Asian American Communities or ASAMST 20C: Cultural Politics and Practices in Asian American Communities.
- Complete the three lower division prerequisites and meet with your major advisor to declare the major.
- Review major guidelines for study abroad.
Connect and Build Community
- Join a student organization such as REACH! Asian and Pacific Islander Recruitment and Retention Center.
- Check out resources from Asian Pacific American Student Development (APASD) and sign up for the APASD listserv.
- Get to know professors and graduate student instructors during their office hours.
Discover Your Passions
- Continue with a Sophomore Seminar, Big Ideas Course or Discovery Course.
- Assist faculty in their research through URAP.
- Find research and funding opportunities in the OURS database.
- Enrich your studies with a certificate, course thread, or summer minor like Race and the Law.
Engage Locally and Globally
- Work with a community organization in an American Cultures Engaged Scholarship course.
- Get involved with campus issues as an APASD intern or volunteer.
- Mentor local youth through Oakland Asian Student Educational Services.
Reflect and Plan Your Future
- Reflect on your education so far and continue to set goals for yourself.
- Discuss career options and goals with a Career Educator.
- Think about doing an internship and attend an internship fair.
- Learn about graduate and professional school. See Step-by-Step for planning help.
Third Year
Explore Your Major
- Focus on upper division requirements and plan for electives you wish to take.
- Review your degree progress with your major and college advisors.
- Ask the major advisor about the honors program.
Connect and Build Community
- Attend Asian American and Asian Diaspora Program events.
- Consider becoming a Golden Bear Orientation Leader and welcome new students to UC Berkeley.
- Check out events sponsored by the Ethnic Studies Department and the Multicultural Community Center.
Discover Your Passions
- Planning a senior thesis or project? Apply to the Haas Scholars Program or SURF.
- Explore campus centers and institutes like the Center for Race & Gender, Center for Research on Social Change, Institute for the Study of Societal Issues, and Othering & Belonging Institute.
Engage Locally and Globally
- Study and intern in Washington D.C. with UCDC or Cal in the Capital.
- Support underrepresented communities through a field study internship.
- Volunteer locally with the East Bay Asian Youth Center or Asian Women’s Shelter.
- Gain leadership skills through LEAP Emerge or the CAUSE Leadership Academy.
Reflect and Plan Your Future
- Update your resume and LinkedIn profile.
- Discuss post-graduate options with advisors and professors.
- Attend career and graduate school fairs like the “Nonprofit, Education, and Public Service Career Fair.”
Fourth Year
Explore Your Major
- Do a degree check to ensure you are on track to graduate.
- Complete any “bucket list” courses and remaining major, college, and campus requirements.
- Satisfy the ASAMST197 field study requirement if you haven’t done so already.
Connect and Build Community
- Join a professional association such as the Association for Asian American Studies.
- Connect with alumni groups such as Asian American Pacific Islander Alumni and build your network as you prepare to graduate.
Discover Your Passions
- Teach your own DeCal course.
- Undertake an optional honors thesis or independent study and submit your work to the Berkeley Undergraduate Journal.
- Keep pursuing your interests through a fellowship or gap year after graduation.
Engage Locally and Globally
- Hone your leadership skills with the Peter E. Haas Public Service Leaders program.
- Interested in a public service career? Apply for the John Gardner Fellowship.
- Explore service opportunities after graduation, such as Peace Corps, Teach for America, or U.S. Department of State.
Reflect and Plan Your Future
- Utilize job board tools in your job search.Utilize job search tools from the Career Center.
- Meet employers at Employer Info Sessions and On-Campus Recruiting.
- Ask professors and graduate student instructors for recommendation letters.
- Apply to jobs, graduate school, and other opportunities.
Students in the Asian American and Asian Diaspora Studies Program gain skills that prepare them for careers in a variety of fields, including teaching, counseling, law, journalism, marketing, community and housing development, radio and television, health and medicine, community and union organizing, social work, and positions in federal, state, and local governments as well as those at the city and county levels.
Jobs and Employers
- Director of Community Engagement, Sustainable Economies Law Ctr.
- Finance and Operations Manager, National CAPACD
- Legal Asst., Weisberg and Miller
- Senior Public Affairs Representative, Kaiser Permanente
- Operations Coordinator, Nourish Co.
- Policy/Comms. Assoc., National Council of Asian Pacific Americans
Graduate Programs
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Counseling, Masters
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City and Regional Planning, Masters
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Data Science, Masters
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Education, Masters, PhD
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Law, JD
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Medicine, MD
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Public Administration, Masters
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Public Health, Masters
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Public Policy, Masters
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Social Work, Masters
Examples gathered from the First Destination Survey of recent Berkeley graduates and LinkedIn.
Connect With Us
Cal Day
Come to Berkeley’s annual Open House in April for information sessions, campus tours, special talks, and more.
Golden Bear Orientation
Join your peers in the campus-wide UC Berkeley orientation program for all new students.
Events
Attend department events with students, staff, and faculty. Visit ethnicstudies.berkeley.edu for news and updates.
Advising
Students can contact the major advisors to schedule appointments or ask questions by emailing Laura Jimenez-Olvera at lauraj@berkeley.edu or Dewey St. Germaine at deweystg@berkeley.edu
Advising Drop-In Hours
Monday - Friday, 9:30-11:30am, 1:30-4pm.
How to Use this Map
Use this map to help plan and guide your experience at UC Berkeley, including academic, co-curricular, and discovery opportunities. Everyone’s Berkeley experience is different and activities in this map are suggestions. Always consult with your advisors whenever possible for new opportunities and updates.
