The Asian American Studies Program is an interdisciplinary program that focuses on the scholarship and experiences of Americans, Pacific Islanders, and immigrants to the United States from Asian heritage groups. The program sheds light on Asian American experiences and concerns, both historically and in contemporary society. The certificate in Asian American Studies provides students with an opportunity to develop a sustained intellectual focus on Asian American racial formation, communities, and culture. The program also serves as a teaching and resource center not only for Asian Americans but for the University and Madison community as a whole.
Courses offered by the program and through other departments incorporate the perspective of a variety of disciplines: anthropology, communication arts, cultural studies, dance, education, English, ethnic studies, film, history, human development and family studies, journalism, literature, media, political science, popular culture, psychology, sociology, theatre, and visual arts.
How to Get in
For more information or to declare the certificate, please contact the Asian American Studies Program at asianamerican@letsci.wisc.edu.
Requirements
The Asian American Studies Certificate Program provides students with an opportunity to develop a sustained intellectual focus on Asian American racial formation, history, literature, culture, and social concerns. Interdisciplinary in nature, the certificate can be obtained by completing 12 credits of coursework.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ASIAN AM 101 | Introduction to Asian American Studies | 3 |
| ASIAN AM/AFROAMER/AMER IND/CHICLA 102 | Introduction to Comparative US Ethnic, American Indian, and Indigenous Studies | 3 |
| ASIAN AM/DANCE 121 | Asian American Movement | 3 |
| ASIAN AM/ENGL 150 | Literature & Culture of Asian America | 3 |
| ASIAN AM 152 | Asian American Literary and Popular Culture: Race, Fantasy, Futures | 3 |
| ASIAN AM/HISTORY 160 | Asian American History: Movement and Dislocation | 3-4 |
| ASIAN AM/HISTORY 161 | Asian American History: Settlement and National Belonging | 3-4 |
| ASIAN AM 170 | Hmong American Experiences in the United States | 3 |
| ASIAN AM/SOC 220 | Ethnic Movements in the United States | 3-4 |
| ASIAN AM 240 | Topics in Asian American Studies | 3 |
| ASIAN AM/ASIAN/HISTORY 246 | Southeast Asian Refugees of the "Cold" War | 4 |
| ASIAN AM 250 | Eating Asian America | 3 |
| ASIAN AM 251 | Contemporary Asian American Identities | 3 |
| ASIAN AM 253 | Critical Refugee Studies | 3 |
| ASIAN AM 260 | Asian American Activism | 3 |
| ASIAN AM/ENGL 270 | A Survey of Asian American Literature | 3 |
| ASIAN AM/AFROAMER/DANCE/FOLKLORE 319 | Afro Asian Improv: From Hip Hop to Martial Arts Fusion | 3 |
| ASIAN AM/GEN&WS 321 | Asian American Feminist & Queer Cultural Productions | 3 |
| ASIAN AM/COM ARTS 420 | Asian Americans and Media | 3 |
| ASIAN AM 441 | Hmong American Social Movements in the 20th and 21st Centuries | 3 |
| ASIAN AM/ENGL 462 | Topic in Asian American Literature | 3 |
| ASIAN AM/ENGL/GEN&WS 463 | Race and Sexuality in American Literature | 3 |
| ASIAN AM/ENGL/GEN&WS 464 | Asian American Women Writers | 3 |
| ASIAN AM/ENGL 465 | Asian American Poetry | 3 |
| ASIAN AM 540 | Special Topics | 3 |
| ASIAN AM 560 | Humanities Topics | 3 |
| ASIAN AM/JOURN 662 | Mass Media and Minorities | 4 |
| ASIAN AM 699 | Independent Study: Directed Readings in Asian American Studies | 1-4 |
| HISTORY/ASIAN/GEOG/POLI SCI/SOC 244 | Introduction to Southeast Asia: Vietnam to the Philippines | 4 |
Residence & Quality of Work
- Minimum 2.000 GPA on all certificate courses
- 6 credits in the certificate, in residence
Certificate Completion Requirement
This undergraduate certificate must be completed concurrently with the student’s undergraduate degree. Students cannot delay degree completion to complete the certificate.
Advising and Careers
Declare or Cancel This Certificate
Please follow the process described on the Asian American Studies website.
Please contact the Asian American Studies Program at asianamerican@letsci.wisc.edu to set up a career advising appointment.
Study Abroad
Learning in Letters & Science emphasizes discovery, growth, understanding different perspectives, and challenging yourself, which makes studying abroad an excellent fit for many L&S students: studyabroad.wisc.edu
As a university with global influence, we have more than 300 study abroad programs in over 80 countries. These vary in length, academic focus, teaching format, language requirements, cost, and level of independence. There are many programs to complement every major and any year of college (including the final semester)—and all meet UW–Madison’s high academic standards. Students admitted into Letters & Science can even choose a short program in the summer before they start college or their whole first year: studyabroad.wisc.edu/launch. Talk with your academic advisor about how studying abroad might fit with your academic plan.
SuccessWorks
SuccessWorks at the College of Letters & Science helps you turn the academic skills learned in your classes into a fulfilling life, guiding you every step of the way to securing jobs, internships, or admission to graduate school.
Through one-on-one career advising, events, and resources, you can explore career options, build valuable internship and research experience, and connect with supportive alumni and employers who open doors of opportunity.
- What you can do with your major (Major Skills & Outcomes Sheets)
- Make a career advising appointment
- Learn about internships and internship funding
- Try “Jobs, Internships, & How to Get Them,” an interactive guide in Canvas for enrolled UW–Madison students