A Look at Asian American Studies in the United States

1. A Look at Asian American Studies
in the United States
By: Jesse Cheng

2. A Look at Asian American Studies in the United
States
University of California, Irvine graduate Jesse Cheng was active in various groups as a student,
including the University of California Student Association, the Asian Pacific Student Association,
and the Student Fee Advisory Committee. He also served as the sole student voting member of
the university's governing board of regents. In the classroom, Jesse Cheng focused on Asian
American studies. He earned a bachelor's degree in the subject in 2011.

3. A Look at Asian American Studies in the United
States
According to activists and academics, the term "Asian American" was first created in 1968. That
same year, a student-led group known as the Third World Liberation Front at the University of
California, Berkley held a five-month strike that focused on creating more academic programs
covering the histories of people of color. This activism led to the establishment of the nation's first
Asian American studies curricula, which was offered at UC Berkley and UC Los Angeles starting in
1969.

4. A Look at Asian American Studies in the United
States
Since then, colleges and universities across the country have established Asian American studies
programs, but they aren't nearly as common as one might think. Also, while many of the nation's
academic institutions offer non-degree programs in the subject, only 25 offer Asian American
studies degrees, according to the College Board.

5. A Look at Asian American Studies in the United
States
In recent years, the lack of Asian American studies programs has led to student protests and
campaigns on the campuses of several major universities, including Duke University, which is one
of the latest academic institutions to offer students a program in Asian American studies. The
program, which resulted from a more than 15-year campaign, is reportedly the only one of its kind
in the American South.

6. A Look at Asian American Studies in the United
States
Student groups at other institutions, including Harvard University, Davidson College, and
Georgetown University, are now pushing for similar programs. Activists and advocates hope that
this push for Asian American studies programs helps more of the nation's post-secondary
institutions recognize the significance of this field of study.