Pacific Asian Studies

College of Behavioral and Social Sciences
Dean: Joel Kassiola

Pacific Asian Studies Program
SCI 265A
415-338-7536
Director: Pi-Ching Hsu

Faculty

Professors—Banerjee, Goto, S. Guo, Hanami, G. Lee, McKeon, Minami, Pahl, Scott, Simeon, Soh, Wong

Associate Professors—Asano, Blanchard, Burke, Egan, Q. Guo, Hsu, Li, Modirzadeh

Assistant Professors—Domizio, Elkind, Jacobowitz, Kavuri-Bauer, M. Lee, Mahi, Tiwald, Wang

Lecturers—Chang, Cheng, Dupen, Kuo, Liou, Matsumoto, Mick, Muranaka, Yamaguchi, Yee

Program

Minor in Pacific Asian Studies

Program Scope

Pacific Asia refers to the regions of Asia bordering the Pacific Ocean, including East and Southeast Asia. Historically, East Asia has been under strong influences of Confucianism and Mahayana Buddhism, and Southeast Asia has been under strong influences of Islam and Theravada Buddhism. Diversity seems to be more characteristic than commonality in describing the cultures and societies of East and Southeast Asia. But East and Southeast Asia can be regarded as a meaningful unit of global studies when we consider the two regions’ commercial, cultural, and diplomatic interactions, as well as their common experiences with Western and Japanese imperialism. In the twenty-first century, an economic community that connects East and Southeast Asia has been taking shape with marked Chinese initiatives, making these two regions more closely integrated than ever. The Pacific Asian Studies Minor is designed to give students an introduction into the exuberantly rich and diverse cultures of East and Southeast Asia, their inter-regional relations, and their relations with the rest of the world. In what some are now calling the Asian century, the rising tide of immigration of people from Pacific Asia into the United States, the rapidly increasing trade and financial transfers with nations of the Pacific Rim, and the growing attention to Asian arts, literature, philosophy, medicine, environment, and human rights signal the need to study Pacific Asia in earnest. At a time when this part of the world has become increasingly important to Americans, the minor serves the need to gain better understanding of the complex Asian scene by offering an inviting opportunity for students to develop career and life enhancing academic experiences at the university.

The Pacific Asian Studies Minor is an interdisciplinary program designed for students seeking a more intensive and extensive knowledge and understanding of East and Southeast Asia than their major discipline would offer. The Pacific Asian Studies Minor will be useful to students interested in pursuing further study at the graduate level as well as those planning careers in education, foreign services, international organizations, overseas corporations, and banking. Participants in the Study Abroad program at SFSU are welcomed to join Pacific Asian Studies and bring their Asian experiences to SFSU classrooms.

PACIFIC ASIAN STUDIES MINOR

The curriculum of Pacific Asian Studies Minor emphasizes versatility in terms of both the regions and the subjects of study. China is the oldest continuous civilization in the world. Japan, Korea, and Southeast Asia also have their distinctive civilizations. The curriculum is designed to give students exposure to all three distinctive civilization systems. The curriculum consists of a core of 12-15 units, plus 9 units of electives, totaling 21-24 units. Not more than nine units may be transferred from other campuses; no more than six units may be taken on a CR/NC basis.

Students considering the minor are advised to consult with Pacific Asian Studies faculty in order to create an individualized plan to take into account specific interests as well as to develop a strategy for taking courses to ensure timely completion of the minor. Students planning to take courses other than those listed in the curriculum are required to get prior approval of the program director.

Courses are 3 units unless otherwise indicated. On-line course descriptions are available.

Core: Select one upper-division course (300-699) from each of the four sets: Category A, Group I; Category A, Group II; Category B; and Category C.