Asian Studies

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OFFICE: Arts and Letters 473
TELEPHONE: 619-594-0931 / FAX: 619-594-0257
WEBSITE: http://asiapacific.sdsu.edu

Faculty

Asian and Pacific Studies is administered by the Asian and Pacific Studies Committee. Faculty assigned to teach courses in Asian and Pacific studies are drawn from Anthropology, Art and Design, Chinese, Economics, English and Comparative Literature, Geography, History, Japanese, Journalism and Media Studies, Linguistics and Asian/Middle Eastern Languages, Philosophy, Political Science, Public Health, Religious Studies, Sociology, Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, Women’s Studies.

Committee:

Loh-Hagan, Virginia, Director of Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Resource Center (APIDA) (B.A./M.T., University of Virginia; Ed.D., University of San Diego-San Diego State University)

Asselin, Pierre, Professor of History, The Dwight E. Stanford Chair in American Foreign Relations (B.A., York University, Canada; M.A., University of Toronto, Canada; Ph.D., University of Hawaii)

Edgerton-Tarpley, Kathryn J., Professor of History (B.A., Wesleyan University; M.A., Ph.D., Indiana University, Bloomington)

Riley, Erin P., Professor of Anthropology (B.A., Beloit College; Ph.D., University of Georgia)

Samraj, Betty T.R., Professor of Linguistics (B.A., M.A., National University of Singapore; Ph.D., University of Michigan)

Wawrytko, Sandra A., Professor of Philosophy (B.A., Knox College; M.A., Ph.D., Washington University at St. Louis)

Wu, Ruey-Jiuan Regina, Professor of Linguistics and Asian/Middle Eastern Languages (B.A., National Taiwan Normal University, Taiwan; M.A., University of Washington; Ph.D., University of California, Los Angeles)

Hua, Anh, Associate Professor of Women’s Studies (B.A., M.A., Ph.D., York University, Canada)

Zhong, Mei, Associate Professor of the School of Journalism and Media Studies (B.A., University of Guam; M.A., Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville; Ph.D., Kent State University)

Emeritus:

Ghosh, Huma Ahmed, Ph.D., 1994-2000, Professor of Women’s Studies

Guang, Lei, Ph.D., Professor of Political Science

Kitajima, Ryu, Ph.D., Emeritus, 1992-2020, Associate Professor of Japanese

Madhavan, Murugappa C., Ph.D., 1968-1999, Professor of Economics and Asian Studies

Weiner, Michael A., Ph.D., 2000-2005, Professor of Asia Pacific Studies

Undergraduate Information

The Major

The importance of the immense and varied regions of Asia and the Pacific Rim are reflected in the rich culture and history of Asian people, Asian contributions to the world’s literature and art, religion and philosophy, as well as contemporary international relations and economics.

The major in Asian studies is multidisciplinary. Students can enroll in classes from a wide range of departments and programs, such as anthropology, art, Chinese, comparative literature, economics, history, Japanese, philosophy, political science, religious studies, sociology, and women’s studies. Because the program draws its faculty from multiple programs and departments on the SDSU campus, the major is able to provide resources for understanding East Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia, the Pacific Rim, the relation of these peoples and cultures to North America, and Asian American diaspora communities. Areas of special interest may be pursued in depth.

The major provides students with the background for careers that require an understanding of Asia, whether in academic, business, government, or community and social services. Students in the major develop an understanding of cultural heritage, societies, and languages, as well as the social, political, and environmental issues of the Asian and Pacific regions. Nonmajors who wish to increase their understanding about Asian and Pacific peoples and cultures will find courses available in Asian Studies.

Advising

All College of Arts and Letters majors are urged to consult with their department adviser as soon as possible; they are required to meet with their department adviser within the first two semesters after declaration or change of major.

Graduate Information

General Information

No new students are being admitted to this program. For further information, contact the Center for Asian and Pacific Studies.

The Master of Arts degree in Asian studies is an interdisciplinary degree offered by designated faculty members in the Departments of Anthropology, Art, Business Administration, Classics and Humanities, Economics, Education, English and Comparative Literature, Geography, History, Linguistics and Asian/Middle Eastern Languages, Philosophy, Political Science, Religious Studies, and Sociology. It is administered by the Center for Asian and Pacific Studies through a graduate committee consisting of the director, the graduate adviser, and representatives from the several departments.

The program is designed to offer systematic advanced training (a) for those planning to enter educational, business, government, or community service involving Asian and Pacific studies; (b) for those in a specific academic discipline who have regional interest in Asian and Pacific studies and wish to promote more effective understanding of the cultures, societies, peoples, and social forces at work in the Asian and Pacific world; and (c) for those who plan to pursue further graduate study in Asian and Pacific studies beyond the Master of Arts degree.

Admission to Graduate Study

In addition to meeting the requirements for admission to the university with classified graduate standing, as described in Admission and Registration , the student must present a Bachelor of Arts degree, as approved by the graduate committee of the Center for Asian and Pacific Studies. A student whose preparation is deemed inadequate by the graduate committee will be required to complete specific courses in addition to the minimum of 30 units required for the degree.

Students applying for admission should electronically submit the university application available at http://www.calstate.edu/apply along with the application fee.

All applicants must submit admissions materials separately to SDSU Graduate Admissions and to the Center for Asian and Pacific Studies.

Graduate Admissions

The following materials should be submitted as a complete package directly to:

Graduate Admissions
Enrollment Services
San Diego State University
San Diego, CA 92182-7416

1. Official transcripts (in sealed envelopes) from all post-secondary institutions attended;
   • Students who attended SDSU need only submit transcripts for work completed since last attendance.
   • Students with international coursework must submit both the official transcript and proof of degree. If documents are in a language other than English, they must be accompanied by a certified English translation.
2. GRE scores (http://www.ets.org SDSU institution code 4682);
3. English language score, if medium of instruction was in a language other than English (http://www.ets.org SDSU institution code 4682).

Center for Asian and Pacific Studies

The following materials should be mailed or delivered to:

Center for Asian and Pacific Studies
(Attention: Graduate Adviser)
San Diego State University
5500 Campanile Drive
San Diego, CA 92182-6042

1. Letters of reference (minimum 3);
2. Personal statement;
3. Writing sample of recent academic work.

Programs

• Asian Studies Minor
• Asian Studies, B.A. in Liberal Arts and Sciences
• Asian Studies, Emphasis in Chinese Studies and Language, Track A: Chinese Studies, B.A. in Applied Arts and Sciences
• Asian Studies, Emphasis in Chinese Studies and Language, Track B: Chinese Language, B.A. in Applied Arts and Sciences
• Asian Studies, M.A.
• Chinese Studies Minor
• Japan Studies Minor

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