Explore the profound, rich, and intricate realms of South and Southeast Asia.
The Bachelor of Arts degree in South and Southeast Asian Studies in the College of Letters & Science is a flexible, interdisciplinary program designed for a deep and comparative exploration of the region. Our mission is to train students in South and Southeast Asia's rich cultures and civilizations. You will gain unique insights into diverse societies, historical narratives, artistic expressions, and philosophical traditions. Students in our department can choose from 13 languages for intensive study, including Bengali, Burmese, Filipino, Hindi, Indonesian, Khmer, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Tamil, Telugu, Thai, Urdu, and Vietnamese.
Highlights
- Pursue intensive training in the region's major languages.
- Immerse yourself in South and Southeast Asian language and culture through study abroad.
- Challenge yourself by undertaking an honors thesis or graduate-level seminars within the department.
- Benefit from a curriculum that integrates history, literature, religion, and culture, offering a holistic perspective on the region.
Curriculum
The South and Southeast Asian Studies major provides a humanities-based, interdisciplinary curriculum designed to immerse students in the diverse cultures of the regions. You will gain a firm grounding in the texts, languages, and cultural traditions of South and Southeast Asian societies, exploring their rich religions, histories, and literatures.
The major requires a minimum of one year (two semesters) of intensive language study. Students can pursue broader comparative studies of South and Southeast Asian cultures or focus on a particular area of interest or geographical concentration. We encourage you to explore relevant courses in History, Music, Political Science, Ethnic Studies, Art History, Linguistics, Gender and Women's Studies, and English.
Learn more at sseas.berkeley.edu/programs/undergraduate/undergraduate-programs
Study Options
Do you already have an intended major and an interest in South and Southeast Asian Studies? Consider adding a minor—this program complements majors across the humanities and social sciences, and also serves as an excellent supplement to science, math, or engineering majors.
Our department also offers language courses in Bengali, Burmese, Filipino, Hindi, Indonesian, Khmer, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Tamil, Telugu, Thai, Urdu, and Vietnamese, open to non-majors.
Declaring the Major
First-year Students: Upon acceptance to UC Berkeley, you will be admitted to the College of Letters & Science as an undeclared student. To officially declare the South and Southeast Asian Studies major, you must complete the required prerequisites and meet with the major advisor.
Transfer Students: If you were admitted directly into the major, you do not need to go through a separate declaration process, but must complete any outstanding major prerequisites during your first year at UC Berkeley. Transfers who were not directly admitted to the major should meet with the major advisor as early as possible.
A degree in South and Southeast Asian Studies equips you with a unique global perspective and versatile skills highly valued across various professional fields and advanced studies. Our alumni pursue impactful careers in global engagement, humanities and social impact, and healthcare. Furthermore, the major provides excellent preparation for graduate study in a diverse array of fields.
UC Berkeley offers a number of career resources for students studying South and Southeast Asian Studies. The College of Letters & Science spotlights career pathways for students in the Arts & Humanities, and offers advising for undergraduates pursuing medical or health professions programs, law school, or masters and PhD programs. Additionally, Berkeley Career Engagement provides career and graduate school advising, job and internship listings, and events such as career and graduate school fairs.
Employment
Alumni find employment in a variety of fields and industries after completing graduation. Examples include:
- Business Development Associate
- Category Specialist
- External Relations Specialist
- Foreign Service Officer
- Musician
- Paralegal
- Professor
- Researcher
- Student Services Assistant
Graduate Study
Alumni pursue graduate education to gain more depth of knowledge in their field as well as prepare for jobs that require advanced degrees. Examples include:
- Asian Studies
- International Education
- Law
- Medicine
- Public Health
- South and Southeast Asian Studies
Rahul, Faculty and Alumnus
An alumnus of the department (MA, PhD '12), Rahul Parson is now an Assistant Professor of Hindi Literature and Culture. His research explores Hindi literary history, with a special focus on Hindi movements in Bengal.
“SSEAS is a dynamic and intimate community united by our enthusiasm for the culture, history, arts, literature, religions, and politics of this vast region. Our students develop a passion and expertise for their chosen area, which informs their personal and professional trajectories. Our major has never been more relevant given the ever-increasing importance of this part of the world.”
First Year
Plan Your Studies
- Start exploring with L&S 1 and first-year guides from L&S and Arts & Humanities.
- Visit L&S Advising for help with major exploration and degree requirements.
- Familiarize yourself with the South and Southeast Asian major; enroll in a language course (take a placement exam if needed).
- Join Berkeley Connect for 1:1 mentoring and to meet peers with shared interests.
- Discover new interests in a Freshman Seminar, Berkeley Changemaker, or A&H Compass or Gateway course.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Get involved with a Southeast Asian or other student organization.
- Visit Berkeley Discovery to get started with research, entrepreneurship, public service, and creative projects.
- Learn how to prepare for office hours and build relationships with faculty.
- Pay a visit to the South/Southeast Asia Library.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Visit UHS Career Counseling and Berkeley Career Engagement.
- Start exploring career paths for the major; check out career resources on the Arts & Humanities website.
- Begin making a plan to get career ready.
- Create or update your resume and LinkedIn profile.
- Use Handshake to start connecting with career events and opportunities.
Second Year
Plan Your Studies
- Continue with language study; declare the major after completing at least one semester of language and one gateway course (SASIAN 100A, 100B, 101A, or 101B).
- Meet with your major and college advisor to discuss your academic plans.
- Look into study abroad; check out scholarships from Freeman-ASIA and Boren.
- Enrich your studies with a course thread, certificate, or minor such as Buddhist Studies.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Attend an event at the Center for Southeast Asia Studies or Institute for South Asia Studies.
- Develop your skills in the Berkeley Student Leadership Academy.
- Check out the Southeast Asian Arts and Culture Coalition.
- Explore research opportunities on the OURS website; apply to URAP to work on a faculty research project.
- Look into funding opportunities in South Asia and Southeast Asia Studies; apply for a FLAS award.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Meet with a BCE career educator to discuss career options and goals.
- Build your network and explore career fields via job shadowing and informational interviews.
- Pursue an internship to build skills and explore fields.
- Considering graduate school? Explore resources from the Graduate Division, L&S Advising, and BCE; look into the Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship.
Third Year
Plan Your Studies
- Complete your second gateway course and begin taking upper division electives in the major.
- Review your degree progress with your major and college advisor.
- Develop your writing and critical thinking in an Art of Writing seminar.
- Spend a term off-campus with UCDC or the Intercampus Visitor Program.
- Consider applying to the SSEAS Honors Program; look into the Haas Scholars and SURF programs.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Help other students as a member of the A&H Dean’s Leadership Team.
- Check out the Public Service Internship, College Corps, and Haas Public Service Leaders Program.
- Interested in teaching? Give it a try by teaching your own DeCal course.
- Welcome new students to Berkeley as a Golden Bear Orientation Leader.
- Share your language skills in the SLC Language Exchange Program.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Speak with faculty, advisors, and career educators about post-graduate options.
- Join a professional association such as the Southeast Asia Council in the Association for Asian Studies.
- Interested in public service careers? Consider applying to the John Gardner Fellowship, Huntington Award, or Truman Scholarship.
Fourth Year
Plan Your Studies
- Finish all upper division requirements and electives.
- Challenge yourself with a graduate seminar in the department.
- Join a thesis writing workshop at the Townsend Center or Student Learning Center.
- Complete any remaining degree requirements and prepare for graduation.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Submit a course research project for the Library Prize, American Cultures Student Prize, or other awards.
- Get published! Submit your thesis or research paper to the Berkeley Undergraduate Journal.
- Present your work at events such as the South Asia Forum.
- Pursue a special project after graduation with the Stronach Prize.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Check in with a BCE career educator.
- Start connecting with alumni groups and events.
- Apply to graduate school or post-graduate programs; look into Luce Scholars and the Blakemore Freeman Fellowship.
- Meet employers at info sessions, on-campus recruiting, and career fairs.
- Utilize job search tools from BCE and apply for job opportunities.
- Learn about alumni career services.
Summer
- Level up with a summer program in a Southeast Asian language.
- Go abroad through the Critical Language Scholarship, UCEAP, or Berkeley Study Abroad; check out the SSEAS program in the Philippines.
- Participate in the South Asia Summer Reading Group.
- Look into a summer internship with Cal in the Capital, Cal in Sacramento, or Berkeley Global Internships.
- Pursue a summer minor or certificate—check out programs in Global Public Health and Teaching English.
- Apply to the GiGS program to learn about graduate school.
First Semester
Plan Your Studies
- Get your bearings with L&S 198 Transitioning to Cal and transfer guides from L&S and Arts & Humanities.
- Meet with your major and college advisor to discuss your academic plans.
- Enroll in a language course and at least one gateway course for the major (SASIAN 100A, 100B, 101A, or 101B).
- Join Berkeley Connect for 1:1 mentoring and to meet peers with shared interests.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Get involved with a Southeast Asian or other student organization.
- Find support at the Transfer Student Center or Re-entry Student Program.
- Pay a visit to the South/Southeast Asia Library.
- Visit Berkeley Discovery to get started with research, entrepreneurship, public service, and creative projects.
- Learn how to prepare for office hours and build relationships with faculty.
- Check out the Southeast Asian Arts and Culture Coalition.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Visit UHS Career Counseling and Berkeley Career Engagement.
- Begin exploring career paths for the major; check out career resources on the Arts & Humanities website.
- Create or update your resume and LinkedIn profile.
- Use Handshake to start connecting with career events and opportunities.
- Meet with a BCE career educator to discuss career options and goals.
Second Semester
Plan Your Studies
- Continue with language study and work on upper division electives and the second gateway course.
- Look into study abroad; check out scholarships from Freeman-ASIA and Boren.
- Enrich your studies with a course thread, certificate, or minor such as Buddhist Studies.
- Consider applying to the SSEAS Honors Program; look into the Haas Scholars and SURF programs.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Attend an event at the Center for Southeast Asia Studies or Institute for South Asia Studies.
- Explore research opportunities on the OURS website; apply to URAP to work on a faculty research project.
- Check out the Public Service Internship, College Corps, and Haas Public Service Leaders Program.
- Look into funding opportunities in South Asia and Southeast Asia Studies; apply for a FLAS award.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Build your network and explore career fields via job shadowing and informational interviews.
- Pursue an internship to develop skills and explore fields.
- Considering graduate school? Explore resources from the Graduate Division, L&S Advising, and BCE.
- Speak with faculty, advisors, and career educators about post-graduate options.
Third Semester
Plan Your Studies
- Continue with upper division requirements.
- Review your degree progress with your major and college advisor.
- Develop your writing and critical thinking in an Art of Writing seminar.
- Spend a term off-campus with UCDC or the Intercampus Visitor Program.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Help other students as a Transfer Peer Advocate or member of the A&H Dean’s Leadership Team.
- Develop your skills in the Berkeley Student Leadership Academy.
- Interested in teaching? Give it a try by teaching your own DeCal course.
- Welcome new students to Berkeley as a Golden Bear Orientation Leader.
- Share your language skills in the SLC Language Exchange Program.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Check in with a BCE career educator.
- Join a professional association such as the Southeast Asia Council in the Association for Asian Studies.
- Interested in public service careers? Consider applying to the John Gardner Fellowship, Huntington Award, or Truman Scholarship.
- Apply to graduate school or post-graduate programs; look into Luce Scholars and the Blakemore Freeman Fellowship.
Fourth Semester
Plan Your Studies
- Finish all upper division requirements and electives.
- Join a thesis writing workshop at the Townsend Center or Student Learning Center.
- Challenge yourself with a graduate seminar in the department.
- Complete any remaining degree requirements and prepare for graduation.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Present your work at events such as the South Asia Forum.
- Submit a course research project for the Library Prize, American Cultures Student Prize, or other awards.
- Get published! Submit your thesis or research paper to the Berkeley Undergraduate Journal.
- Pursue a special project after graduation with the Stronach Prize.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Meet employers at info sessions, on-campus recruiting, and career fairs.
- Utilize job search tools from BCE and apply for job opportunities.
- Start connecting with alumni groups and events.
- Learn about alumni career services.
Summer
- Get ready for Berkeley with RHETOR 100 Writing at the University.
- Thinking about a PhD? Apply to the Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship before your first semester.
- Level up with a summer program in a Southeast Asian language.
- Go abroad through the Critical Language Scholarship, UCEAP, or Berkeley Study Abroad; check out the SSEAS program in the Philippines.
- Participate in the South Asia Summer Reading Group.
- Look into a summer internship with Cal in the Capital, Cal in Sacramento, or Berkeley Global Internships.
- Pursue a summer minor or certificate—check out programs in Global Public Health and Teaching English.
- Apply to the GiGS program to learn about graduate school.
Undergraduate Advising
Have questions about South and Southeast Asian Studies or choosing a major?
The Department of South and Southeast Asian Studies offers undergraduate advising to students interested in the major or minor. When ready to begin planning for a major declaration, students should meet with the Undergraduate Advisor to write a program plan and declare their major. Students may also meet with our Faculty Advisor for academic support and subject matter advising. The Faculty Advisor can also share information about graduate programs and the graduate school experience. For more details about advising contacts, visit sseas.berkeley.edu.
The College of Letters & Science helps students with non-major-specific academic topics, including major exploration, general program planning, finding campus resources, and pre-professional graduate programs. L&S College Advisors are available for in-person and virtual meetings. Visit lsadvising.berkeley.edu or email asklns@berkeley.edu.
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