• Asian American Studies
Asian American Studies

Wilkinson College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences

»Asian American Studies

The Asian American Studies minor provides an interdisciplinary approach to understanding the historical and contemporary experiences of people of Asian descent in the US. This minor draws from history, film, literature, anthropology, sociology, and other disciplines, and complements other majors at the university through its emphases on critical thinking, global approaches, and social justice. Students will gain a critical perspective on the intersections of race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, and class, as well as insights into the meanings and practices of citizenship, diaspora, and community in an increasingly globalized society.

Asian Americans are currently the fastest-growing demographic group in the country, representing 15% of California’s population. Minoring in Asian American Studies at Chapman University is a particularly unique opportunity due to our location in the heart of Orange County, where Asian American and Pacific Islander communities are contributing to vibrant transformations here and beyond. 

Whether your interests focus on politics and diplomacy, international business, communication and journalism, education and academia, comparative cultures, or literature and art, Asian American studies is a significant component in preparing you to engage a twenty-first century globalized environment.

What careers does Asian American Studies equip you for?

  • Advisor
  • Business and Finance
  • Community Leader
  • Community Organizations
  • Consultant
  • Counselor
  • Cultural Producer
  • Curator
  • Dignitary
  • Diplomat
  • Directors of Cultural Centers
  • Environmental Justice
  • Federal Bureau of Investigation
  • Foreign Service Officer
  • ... and so much more!




Jerry "Yi Hang" Zou ’24
Jerry "Yi Hang" Zou ’24
BFA Theatre Performance Major with a minor in Asian American Studies Minor
"To me a minor in AAS it is very important to study who I am & what I stand for as a Chinese person living & surviving in America, in a very critical and academic fashion. This minor has been very valuable to me because I have finally been able to learn about the Asian American Identity in a way that high school U.S. history never could."
Bradley Carol '26
Bradley Carol '26
Psychology major
"Asian American Studies really interested me as I have always been into social justice. Being able to understand the social institutions and ideologies that fuel anti-Asian hate has allowed me to navigate and think critically about the world around me and the media that I consume. Asian American Studies is a really fun, everyone should check it out."

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Program Director: Stephanie Takaragawa

TakaragawaStephanie Takaragawa is a cultural anthropologist whose research examines visual and material culture. Her research broadly focuses on media, art, performance, exhibition, and theme parks and their relationship to racial representation. 

Program Learning Outcomes

  • PLO 1: Students will contextualize historical experiences of Asian immigration from 1800s to the present in the United States.
  • PLO 2: Students will be able to demonstrate global awareness of diasporic communities and hybrid identities in written or oral communication.
  • PLO 3: Students will engage in original interdisciplinary research in race and ethnic studies. 
  • PLO4: Students will analyze and synthesize critical histories of ethnic identities, diasporas and the “melting pot” of the United States. 

Opportunities

Our location in Orange County and the Greater Los Angeles region offers students exciting opportunities to expand and apply their knowledge through internships, community-engaged research, and more. Students also have the opportunity to work with leading scholars in various fields of Asian American Studies to assist and develop cutting-edge research projects. 

Students have pursued professional opportunities with companies and organizations such as:

  • Chinese American Museum
  • Japanese American National Museum
  • Irvine Weekly
  • Sanrio
  • Silk Club Zine
  • Soapberry Review