Asian and Pacific Islander American Studies Concentration, Global Studies (BA in International Studies)

The Program

The Asian & Pacific Islander American Studies (APIA) program advances interdisciplinary and global research, scholarship, and praxis immersed in the experiences and contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and their global diasporas. Through teaching, community service, research, and programming, APIA furthers the understanding of the histories, cultures, identities, and experiences of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders by exposing the structural and ideological forces that shape the lives of APIA communities. 

The Major and Minor

The major and minor in Asian and Pacific Islander American Studies provide students with the research, interpretive, analytical and creative skills needed to examine the historical and contemporary experiences of Asians and Pacific Islanders in the United States and in a global context.  The curriculum seeks to educate students with the breadth of knowledge about the cultural, political, and economic organization of Asian American and Pacific Islander communities in order to deepen and expand their understanding of diverse and multicultural perspectives within American society and the world. 

Faculty Advising & Mentorship

Students receive sustained individualized advising and mentorship from faculty drawn from the arts, humanities, education, and social sciences, making it possible to study APIA communities in various contexts, including Asian and Pacific Islander diasporas, racialization, globalization, the American Civil Rights movement, decolonization, and Third World solidarity.APIA faculty mentor students with a view towards their general welfare, wellness, and self-determination by offering courses and experiences that develop not only the creative expressions, voices, critical pedagogies, and analyses of APIA peoples, but also a commitment to social justice, equity, and activism within Asian American communities, and a respect for differences, especially ethnic diversity

Praxis Pathway to Career & Graduate Study

The APIA major and minor culminate in a praxis capstone designed for students to integrate this knowledge base into its practical application in their chosen disciplinary methodology or career path such as medicine, law, business, government, public policy, film, theater, and education.

Internships in Asia

The program collaborates with the Charles Center and the program in Asian and Middle Eastern Studies in officiating the Freeman Intern Fellowship in Asia where students can apply to intern in Asia on fully funded fellowships. As Freeman Fellows, they further their research and community engagement in APIA 385 Student Think Tank-AMES 385 Student Think Tank, a COLL 300 William & Mary in the World course.

Declaration of Major

Students may declare their intention to major in Asian & Pacific Islander American Studies, Global Studies after completing any one course in the program. They are strongly encouraged to visit with APIA faculty to discuss their interest in the program.

Course Requirements

To complete the major, students must pass a minimum of 33 credits. Individual courses can only satisfy one requirement category in the major.

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Courses not counted for Gateway, Methodology, or Senior Seminar requirements may be taken for the CORE.