Academic Program

The interdisciplinary curriculum of Tri-College Asian American Studies is designed to help students develop an understanding of Asian American experiences, histories, and cultures. The program offers a course minor that can complement any major in the arts and humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences.

Students can minor in Asian American Studies by completing a total of 6 courses, distributed accordingly:

• 3 to 4 “Core Courses” in Asian American Studies. These courses have a substantive focus on Asian American experiences, histories, and cultures. 
• 1 to 2 Courses in Comparative Race and Ethnic Studies. These courses provide exposure to the experiences, histories, and cultures of other racial and ethnic minority groups in and of themselves, or in relation to other groups. 
• 1 Course in Transnational or Global Connections with Asia. These are non-language courses that offer perspectives on Asian Americans from outside the United States with regard to history, literature, culture, or politics in order to explore transnational or global connections in a broader context. 

You will find the full list of courses here. 

The total 6 courses should cross over 2 divisions of the College. The program co-director is happy to discuss any combination of courses with you.

Students are encouraged, though not required, to take courses across the Tri-College (including Bryn Mawr and Haverford Colleges) to fulfill these requirements for the minor. Only one course counted towards TriCo Asian American Studies can count towards the student's major or other minor. Only one course taken abroad can be used in fulfillment of the minor, in consultation with the program co-director. We prefer that no more than 2 courses are taken in a single department towards the Tri-College Asian American Studies minor, and we can accept up to 2 courses to overlap with a students' major. Any exceptions to these guidelines must be discussed with the co-director.