The program in Asian/Pacific/American Studies, housed in the Department of Social and Cultural Analysis (SCA), offers a rigorous and broad education in the history and contemporary experiences of Asian peoples—whether from East Asia, South Asia, Central Asia, Southeast Asia, or from diasporic communities across the world—in the present-day Americas. Students gain an understanding of Asian American culture in relation to such topics as law, art, health, urban politics, community studies, (popular) culture, language, and art. The program collaborates closely with the A/P/A Institute to bring important artists, scholars, performers, and activists to campus where they engage in close dialogue with undergraduates, faculty, and the broader New York City community. Its stellar teaching staff, many of whom also have prominent careers as curators, activists, and artists, offers a diverse range of courses from the politics of beauty to secret histories of New York City.
Honors Program
Majors who have completed 48 credits of graded work in CAS and have a 3.65 GPA or higher (both overall and in the major) are encouraged to register for SCA-UA 92 Senior Honors Seminar in the spring semester of their junior year. Upon successful completion of the seminar requirement, students will be eligible to register for SCA-UA 93 Senior Honors Thesis for two semesters in which they will work with their advisers to complete their research and writing. For more information on the honors program, please visit the department's Honors Program website.
Admissions
New York University's Office of Undergraduate Admissions supports the application process for all undergraduate programs at NYU. For additional information about undergraduate admissions, including application requirements, see How to Apply.
Program Requirements
The Asian/Pacific/American Studies major requires nine 4-credit courses (36 credits) completed with a grade of C or better (courses graded Pass/Fail do not count) as outlined below.
Upon completion of program requirements, students are expected to have developed:
Critical thinking tools for the analysis of social, cultural, and political formations.
Familiarity with theories for the study of race, class, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, space, and nation.
Proficiency in written and oral communication.
The ability to produce original research on topics relevant to the major using textual/literary, archival, ethnographic, and/or quantitative research methods.
Engagement and familiarity with primary texts in Asian/Pacific/American Studies.
Policies
Program Policies
Policies Applying to the Major
Students who do not take a Cultures and Contexts course as the second introductory course for the major must still take CORE-UA 5xx as a graduation requirement. We encourage students to take the introductory course that best aligns with their major.
Of the six elective Asian/Pacific/American studies courses required for the major, at least four of the courses must be taught by SCA faculty. One A/P/A language course can count as an elective if taught by SCA faculty.
Language and Linguistic Competency
The department strongly encourages its students to develop advanced skills in Cantonese, Filipino, and/or any language spoken in the Asia or Pacific regions by any of the following means: taking language courses offered in A/P/A Studies; taking elective courses in sociolinguistics; studying these languages beyond the minimum level required by the College of Arts and Science; pursuing community-based internship fieldwork necessitating the development and use of specific language skills; or undertaking study or research abroad in contexts entailing the exercise of key language or linguistic capabilities.
Policy on Double Counting of Courses
Majors
Majors may share (double count) two courses with a second major, with permission from the other department/program.
Minors
Minors may share (double count) one course with a major or a second minor, with permission from the other department/program.