Baruch Collge

Undergraduate Bulletin - Academic Programs and Courses

Asian and Asian American Studies


The Faculty

Program Co-coordinators: Murray A. Rubinstein, Tansen Sen

Teaching Faculty:

  • Ervand Abrahamian (History)
  • Suresh Canagarajah (English)
  • Eva Chou (English)
  • Marina Heung (English)
  • Howard Lentner (Political Science)
  • Veena T. Oldenburg (History)
  • Murray A. Rubinstein (History)
  • Parmatma Saran (Sociology and Anthropology)
  • Tansen Sen (History)
  • Noriko Watanabe (Modern Languages and Comparative Literature)
  • Ping Xu (Modern Languages and Comparative Literature)
  • John Yu (Modern Languages and Comparative Literature)

back to top

Field Description

The interdisciplinary concentration in Asian and Asian American studies introduces students to the methods and concerns of a wide spectrum of disciplines: anthropology, art history, history, linguistics, literature, political science, and sociology. Recognizing the importance of Asia in the international context and the impact of Asian American communities on U.S. society, Asian and Asian American studies prepares students to participate in an increasingly diverse and globalized society.

back to top

The Major

Arts and Sciences Ad Hoc Major in Asian And Asian American Studies

Students can combine Asian and Asian American studies courses with other liberal arts disciplines as well as courses in international business to devise a unique arts and sciences ad hoc major. The arts and sciences ad hoc major requires 30–33 credits. The program must be approved by the chairpersons of the appropriate departments and the Office of the Dean of Arts and Sciences. Students interested in including Asian and Asian American studies courses as part of an arts and sciences ad hoc major should contact Professor Tansen Sen, Department of History, at 646-312-4319 or by e-mail at tansen_sen@baruch.cuny.edu or contact Professor Murray Rubinstein, Department of History, at 646-312-4331 or by e-mail at murray_rubinstein@baruch.cuny.edu.

back to top

The Minor

The minor in Asian and Asian American studies is an interdisciplinary concentration offering the advanced study of Asian cultures and the histories and experiences of communities of Asian descent residing in the United States. This 9-credit minor is an ideal choice for students majoring in accounting, business, finance, management, or any discipline in the liberal arts. This minor is particularly recommended for students who are preparing for careers in education, law, business, social work, journalism, politics, and nonprofit organizations.
To fulfill the College-wide requirement for the Tier III minor with a concentration in Asian and Asian American studies, students are required to take AAS/HIS 3080, one course numbered 3000 and higher, and the capstone course in Asian and Asian American studies. In addition to fulfilling the 9-credit requirement, students interested in the Asian and Asian American studies minor are strongly advised to take at least one year of Chinese or Japanese language courses.

Required Courses

AAS 3080 A Survey of Asian History 3 credits
or        
HIS 3080 A Survey of Asian History 3 credits
AAS 4900 Capstone Course: Critical Issues in Asian and Asian American Studies

3 credits
Electives
Choose one course numbered 3000 or higher from the following:
AAS 3346 East Asia in World Affairs 3 credits
AAS 3820 History of Chinese Religion 3 credits
or        
HIS 3820 History of Chinese Religion 3 credits
AAS 3852 Modernization and Westernization in Asia 3 credits
or        
HIS 3852 Modernization and Westernization in Asia 3 credits
SOC 3113 Cultures and Peoples of India 3 credits
or        
ANT 3113 Cultures and Peoples of India 3 credits
SOC 3114 Cultures and Peoples of the South Pacific Islands 3 credits
or        
ANT 3114 Cultures and Peoples of the South Pacific Islands 3 credits
ART 3220 Islamic Art 3 credits
ART 3260 Asian Art 3 credits
ENG 3032 Ethnic Literature 3 credits
ENG 3840 Literature and Philosophy of South Asia 3 credits
ENG 3950 Topics in Literature* 3 credits
HIS 3085 The Islamic Middle East and North Africa: 1622-1789 3 credits
HIS 3086 The Modern Middle East and North Africa 3 credits
HIS 3841 Ancient India 3 credits
HIS 3842 The Making of Modern India 3 credits
HIS 3851 The Heritage of Chinese Civilization 3 credits
HIS 3860 Topics in African, Asian, or Latin American History* 3 credits
MSC 3005 Music of Africa, Asia, and the Pacific 3 credits
POL 3365 Asian Political Systems

3 credits
*Topics as relevant to the minor.

back to top


Language Courses
Students are strongly advised to take a sequence of courses in Japanese or Chinese in addition to the 9-credit minor requirement. Some language courses may be taken in arrangement with other CUNY campuses, abroad, or at a summer intensive-language program. Instruction in Chinese and Japanese is offered at Baruch in the following courses:

CHI 1001-1002 Elementary Chinese 3 credits
CHI 2001 Upper Elementary Chinese I 3 credits
CHI 2002 Upper Elementary Chinese II 3 credits
CHI 2005-2006 Chinese Grammar for Native Speakers I and II 3 credits
CHI 3001 Lower Intermediate Chinese 3 credits
CHI 3002 Upper Intermediate Chinese 3 credits
CHI 4181 Classical Chinese Literature I 3 credits
CHI 4182 Classical Chinese Literature II 3 credits
CHI 4501 Business Chinese I 3 credits
CHI 4502 Business Chinese II 3 credits
JPN 1001-1002 Elementary Japanese I and II 3 credits
JPN 3001-3002 Intensive Intermediate Japanese I and II 3 credits

back to top


The program information above is from the Undergraduate Bulletin 2004 - 2006
View the entire Bulletin or previous Bulletins