Asian Studies (ASST)

See Course Description Symbols and Terms for an explanation of course description terminology and symbols, the course numbering system, and course credit units.

ASST 110  Introduction to Asian Studies  3 Units  GE  
Typically Offered: Fall and spring  
This course offers students an interdisciplinary introduction to issues and methods relevant in the fields of Asian and Asian American Studies. This course uses films focusing on the life of an ordinary family as a starting point for examining lived experiences and social struggles of Asians and Asian Americans since the twentieth century. Also important in our analysis is how concepts such as race, ethnicity, and national identity were articulated in their relations to class and gender as these groups navigated their lives through political, social, and cultural changes and expectations. 3 hours lecture.  (021219)  
General Education: Ethnic Studies (6)  
Cross listing(s): AAST 110  
Grade Basis: Graded  
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units  
Course Attributes: Lower Division  
ASST 110W  Introduction to Asian Studies (W)  3 Units  GE, W  
Typically Offered: Fall and spring  
This course offers students an interdisciplinary introduction to issues and methods relevant in the fields of Asian and Asian American Studies. This course uses films focusing on the life of an ordinary family as a starting point for examining lived experiences and social struggles of Asians and Asian Americans since the twentieth century. Also important in our analysis is how concepts such as race, ethnicity, and national identity were articulated in their relations to class and gender as these groups navigated their lives through political, social, and cultural changes and expectations. 3 hours lecture.  (021511)  
General Education: Ethnic Studies (6)  
Cross listing(s): AAST 110W  
Grade Basis: Graded  
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units  
Course Attributes: Lower Division; Writing Course  
ASST 198  Special Topics  1-3 Units  
Prerequisite: Department permission.  
Typically Offered: Fall and spring  
This course is for special topics. Typically the topic is offered on a one-time-only basis and may vary from term to term and be different for different sections. See the Class Schedule for the specific topic being offered. 3 hours lecture.  (000992)  
Grade Basis: Graded  
Repeatability: You may take this course more than once  
Course Attributes: Lower Division  
ASST 200  Asia Today and Tomorrow  3 Units  GC, GE  
Typically Offered: Spring only  
Asian civilizations have endured far longer than the societies of Europe and North America. Asia was the center of global trade for thousands of years and remains a major hub for the movement of people, religions, philosophies, goods, and capital. Students in this course learn about the millennial societies and cultures of East and Southeast Asia. Students gain a glimpse into the lives and works of billions of people on the largest continent in the world and the transformations that have shaped Asia today and into the future, such as rise and fall of Angkor Wat, practices of shamanism, Colonialism, the Spice Trade, and Opium, Anime and Kawaii culture, and the global superpower of Communist China. 3 hours lecture.  (000523)  
General Education: Social and Behavioral Sciences (4)  
Cross listing(s): ANTH 200  
Grade Basis: Graded  
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units  
Course Attributes: Lower Division; Global Cultures Course  
ASST 389  Internship in Asian Studies  1-3 Units  
Typically Offered: Fall and spring  
3 hours lecture.  (000996)  
Grade Basis: Graded  
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 15 units  
Course Attributes: Upper Division  
ASST 398  Special Topics  1-3 Units  
Prerequisite: Department permission.  
Typically Offered: Fall and spring  
This course is for special topics. Typically the topic is offered on a one-time-only basis and may vary from term to term and be different for different sections. See the Class Schedule for the specific topic being offered. 3 hours supervision.  (000997)  
Grade Basis: Graded  
Repeatability: You may take this course more than once  
Course Attributes: Upper Division  
ASST 399  Special Problems  1-3 Units  
Typically Offered: Fall and spring  
This course is an independent study of special problems. You must register directly with a supervising faculty member. 9 hours supervision.  (000998)  
Grade Basis: Credit/No Credit  
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 6 units  
Course Attributes: Upper Division  
ASST 399H  Honors in Asian Studies  3 Units  
Prerequisite: Permission of the Asian Studies Coordinator.  
Typically Offered: Inquire at department  
This is an independent study course in which honors in the major students work closely under the guidance of a faculty mentor. Honors students define an original research problem, complete a literature review, conduct research, and write an analytical research paper. Normally, the paper is also presented at a university-wide research colloquium. 9 hours supervision.  (021233)  
Grade Basis: Graded  
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 6 units  
Course Attributes: Upper Division  
ASST 474  Modern Korea  3 Units  
This course examines Korean history from the opening of Korea in 1876 to the present. Main topics include the decline of the chosen dynasty, the rise of nationalism, the colonial experience (1910-1945), the liberation and division (1945-1948), the Korean War (1950-1953), and industrialization and democratization in the postwar era. Particular attention is devoted to how these events have shaped the historical trajectory of modern Korea as well as the everyday lives of people. 3 hours seminar.  (021782)  
Cross listing(s): HIST 474  
Grade Basis: Graded  
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 9 units  
Course Attributes: Upper Division  
ASST 490W  Capstone Course (W)  3 Units  W, GW  
Prerequisite: GE English Composition (1A), ASST 110W, senior standing.  
Typically Offered: Spring only  
This variable-content capstone seminar is devoted to the critical reading, evaluation, and discussion of major recent scholarship on Asia. Works are selected from a variety of disciplinary perspectives with an effort to cover several Asian areas (Japan, China, Southeast Asia, South Asia) and to deal with critical issues of the day. Students will lead discussions, evaluate arguments, and write critical essays at a level appropriate to graduating seniors with a major in Asian Studies. Required seminar for majors. 3 hours seminar.  (000999)  
Grade Basis: Graded  
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units  
Course Attributes: Upper Division; Writing Course; Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement Course  
ASST 499H  Honors in Asian Studies  3 Units  
Prerequisite: Admission to the Honors in the Major program.  
Typically Offered: Fall and spring  
Honors candidates will write a senior thesis over two semesters on an approved topic related to Asia. 9 hours supervision.  (001000)  
Grade Basis: Graded  
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 6 units  
Course Attributes: Upper Division