DIRECTOR OF ASIAN/PACIFIC/AMERICAN STUDIES: Associate Professor Siu

Asian/Pacific/American (A/P/A) Studies examines the movements of people, goods, and ideas across the Atlantic and Pacific worlds. One of six programs in the Department of Social and Cultural Analysis (SCA), it provides an interdisciplinary approach to understanding the history and contemporary experiences of Asian/Pacific Americans in the Americas. The category of Asian/Pacific American includes people of East Asia, South Asia, Central Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific Islands living in the United States, as well as in other parts of the Americas.

The curriculum takes a critical community formations approach, which uses field research as the central methodology, to examine the relationship between theory and practice and between structure and agency in the study of Asian/Pacific American communities. Students develop important analytical skills that will help them to negotiate today's geopolitics, as well as to gain a level of cross-cultural awareness and skill that will be useful to them in any field of study they choose to enter.

The two main areas of concentration are urban studies and diaspora studies. Urban studies examines the formation of Asian/Pacific American communities in relation to the various cultural, social, and political institutions in urban settings, with special emphasis on the New York metropolitan area. Diaspora studies investigates the processes that enable Asian/Pacific American communities in the United States and Americas to sustain ties with communities throughout the world. Central is the analysis of cultural production—social, political, and economical processes—as well as cross-cultural conflict and collaboration.

In coordination with A/P/A Studies, the A/P/A Institute engages important artists, scholars, writers, and activists to campus. This provides the opportunity for discussion, performance, and reflection with students, faculty, and community members.

Faculty

Associate Professors:
Sandhu, Siu, Tchen

Assistant Professor/Faculty Fellow, 2008-2009:
Pham

Adjunct Faculty:
Chui, Francia, Magtoto, OuYang

Affiliated Faculty:
Gopinath, Parikh, Saldaña, Shimakawa