Majoring in Asian American Studies
Students must complete the Undergraduate Registration Requirement and the degree requirements of their home school.
Major Requirements
| Introduction to Asian American Studies | |
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Three additional 200-level courses
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| Five additional 300-level courses. 1 | |
| One course outside of Asian American Studies that explicitly focuses on race, ethnicity, and indigeneity in the frame of US empire. Contact the DUS if you would like to know in advance if a course will count. | |
| Two additional courses at either the 200- or 300-level. | |
| Advanced Seminar for Majors and Minors | |
| Independent Study in Asian American Studies | |
- 1These include at least one but no more than two 399s- Independent Study courses; they can also include a second enrollment in 392 if students take twice.
- 2 [In addition to study abroad courses and field studies]. Students must take at least one 399 course for supervised reading and writing for their Senior Essay or Senior Thesis with a faculty advisor. No more than two 399 courses can count toward the major.
Senior Project
- The Senior Project can take the form of an advanced research project, an in-depth community engagement project like an internship or substantial volunteer work, or course work specified below; all options require either a Senior Essay or a Senior Thesis.
- Senior Projects must be approved in advance by the DUS or major adviser and require an AASP faculty mentor.
- All Senior Projects require subsequent supervised reading and writing through either one or two independent studies, which can be counted toward the major requirement.
- Juniors who take ASAM 392: Advanced Seminar for Majors and Minors to develop a research project can repeat it for credit as seniors, expecting to work on their Senior Thesis or Senior Essay.
Options for Senior Projects include:
- Senior thesis in Asian American Studies.
- Thesis length: 40-50 pages, plus references.
- Independently proposed research project and senior essay.
- Senior Essay length: 20-35 pages, plus references.
- Independently proposed internship at an Asian American community organization or other nonprofit whose work involves Asian American issues, and a senior essay.
- Pre-approved study abroad courses on Asian diasporas; and a senior essay.
- Chicago Field Studies in a field related to Asian American Studies, and a senior essay
Honors in Asian American Studies
To qualify for honors, a student must demonstrate consistently high performance in the major and complete a major research project during the senior year, selecting a thesis adviser from among core and affiliated faculty. Students whose theses and grades meet program criteria are recommended to the college for graduation with honors. For more information see the director of undergraduate studies or program director. Also see Honors in the Major.
How to Declare a Major in Asian American Studies
First, take a look at the requirements. Then talk with the Director of Undergraduate Studies (DUS) about your plans, fill out the Declaration of Major form and the appropriate worksheet (please download pdf below). The major/minor declaration forms and instructions can be found under “Forms and Processes" here:
https://www.weinberg.northwestern.edu/undergraduate/documents/weinberg-major-declaration-form.pdf
The DUS is responsible for approving and signing all Declaration of Major forms, all transfer credits, study abroad approvals and credit evaluation/transfer and, most importantly, all petitions to graduate. All Northwestern undergraduates who are interested in the major or who want to talk about Asian American Studies are encouraged to meet with the DUS. Email for an appointment.
This worksheet can help you plan for a major in Asian American Studies. It’s a great way to take stock of where you are before you meet with the DUS to talk about your interest in the major.
The DUS for Asian American Studies is:
Prof. Ray San Diego