Asian American and Asian Studies

Welcome!

"Throughout most of my life, what I knew about Asian American history was what I learned from history textbooks -- so, not a lot! I personally wasn’t aware of how deprived I was of certain stories, especially from the perspectives of other Asian Americans."

– An Nguyen, De Anza student 

Why Asian American and Asian Studies? 

If you want to ...

• Explore what it means to be Asian American
• Imagine and create Asian America
• Dig into the history of the U.S. and its entanglements with power
• Question assumptions about nation and belonging
• Trace current-day complexities of race, gender, class, and identity
• Advocate for Asian Americans and racial justice astutely and effectively
• Build community with Asian Americans and beyond

... then our program is for you!

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If you're interested in Pacific Islander/Pacific Islands/Oceania Studies and the Pacific Islander community at De Anza, check out Native American and Indigenous Studies (specifically NAIS 31) and the learning community called IMPACT AAPI. Although the term "Asian American Pacific Islander" is commonly used to draw Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders into one undifferentiated grouping, ASAM recognizes the complex pan-ethnic nature of both "Asian American" and "Pacific Islander."

At De Anza, we approach Asian American studies (ASAM) and Pacific Islander/Pacific Islands/Oceania studies (NAIS) as two distinct disciplines. We welcome you to check out both!

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We Build Community

De Anza’s Asian American and Asian Studies community is inclusive and supportive, whether you are a full-time student looking to transfer, a professional working at a nonprofit organization, a DEI manager at a high-tech company, or a lifelong learner pursuing personal enrichment!

The Asian American and Asian Studies department invites you to ask lots of questions – about Asian Americans, the diasporic worlds of Asian America, and configurations of power. In searching for answers, we collectively build the community that is Asian American and Asian Studies.

Read what our students have to say about the Asian American and Asian Studies program at De Anza

“We have the choice to show the world that we exist beyond our complexion, and walk confidently as role models for those who want fair treatment and opportunity to grow.”

– Asian American Studies Student, De Anza

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Courses, Certificate and Programs

The Asian American and Asian Studies department offers 14 courses  and a Certificate of Achievement in Asian American Studies.

In collaboration with campus and community partners, our department also provides civic leadership training across different ages, an internship in teaching Asian American studies, a year-long cohort program, and scholarships:

• IMPACT AAPI: a cohort-based learning community
• Asian Pacific American Leadership Institute (APALI):
  • Summer Youth Leadership Academy – for high school and college students through a unique version of ASAM 10: Contemporary Asian American Communities
  • Summer Leadership Internship – for teaching Asian American studies  and leadership high school and college students (paid)
  • Civic Leadership Program – for working professionals through ASAM 50: Civic Leadership for Community Empowerment
• Scholarships
  • Shirley Kawazoe Memorial APASA Scholarship
  • Susanne Chan Scholarship
  • De Anza Professor Kang and Jessica Chao Memorial Scholarship for students transferring to UC Berkeley to major in Asian American studies, East Asian studies, or economics
  • AANAPISI Scholarship sponsored by APIA Scholars and De Anza's status as an AANAPISI-designated college.

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"I think that learning about immigration policies in American history was particularly important for me to understand given the current political climate and contemporary issues surrounding immigration."

– Asian American Studies Student, De Anza