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The Growth of the Asian American Studies Program

Since its inception in 1999 and the introduction of a minor in 2000, the Asian American Studies Program has shown a pattern of steady growth. It offered a mere three courses in 1999-2000 but five years later in 2003-2004 offered thirteen courses. The one year that showed a decline in the number of courses – nine courses in 2002-2003 compared to 13 courses the previous year – was a result of having both core faculty on leave during the same year. Additionally, a large variety of courses are taught that qualify as electives by students minoring in Asian American Studies (see the listings found under the Courses section).

The core faculty has also grown from a presence of one in 1999-2000 to a presence of three full-time, one part-time faculty and a lecturer in 2004-2005. The three core faculty members are in History, English and Sociology, representing fields in which research and teaching in Asian American Studies are particularly foundational and vibrant.

The program has graduated 18 minors since 2001, when the first minors graduated. Asian American Studies Program has averaged 10 new minors each year, with a disproportionately large number signing up in 2000-2001. The program currently enrolls 21 minors.