Introduction to the Major
Asian American and Asian Diaspora Studies(link is external) 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(link is external) as well as a minor in Race and the Law(link is external).
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(link is external).
- Volunteer for local organizations such as the East Bay Asian Youth Center(link is external) or Asian Women’s Shelter(link is external).
- Complete a senior honors thesis(link is external) in the major.
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(link is external) of recent Berkeley graduates and LinkedIn.
Connect With Us
Cal Day
Come to Berkeley’s annual Open House(link is external) in April for information sessions, campus tours, special talks, and more.
Golden Bear Orientation
Join your peers in the campus-wide UC Berkeley orientation(link is external) program for all new students.
Events
Attend department events with students, staff, and faculty. Visit ethnicstudies.berkeley.edu(link is external) 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(link sends e-mail) or Dewey St. Germaine at deweystg@berkeley.edu(link sends e-mail)
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.