Matter of Degree

Thirty years later, a major in Asian American studies

BY STACY LAVILLA

Photo by Jason Doiy

Double Major: San Francisco State student Jerry Dear recently became the first student to graduate with a degree in Asian American studies, a major he selected in part "to establish a cultural link to my Chinese identity." Dear also took a degree in English.

In the late 1960s, San Francisco State University witnessed a violent and highly visible student strike that helped spur the development of one of the first Asian American studies programs in the country.

Although San Francisco State appeared to be at the forefront of advances made on behalf of Asian American studies programs, like most universities, it had little to offer in the form of an academic degree.

That was until just recently, when the university not only gained approval to offer a bachelor's degree in Asian American studies last fall, but announced that it was ready to confer its first undergraduate degree.

San Francisco State will reach another milestone next year when it becomes the second university, after the University of California at Los Angeles, to offer a graduate degree in the subject.

The achievements of San Francisco State are far from common among universities nationwide.

Despite a larger national movement incited by students and faculty at numerous Ivy League universities last year--a movement characterized by hunger strikes, building takeovers, and protests--the overall struggle to implement Asian American studies programs has led to disappointment.

Currently, just over a dozen college campuses boast Asian American studies programs, with only a handful offering bachelor's degrees on the subject.

Jerry Dear, who became the first San Francisco State student to earn a bachelor's degree in the subject last semester, was among the initial group of students that urged the school to expand its degree offerings to include Asian American studies.

Dear noted that the university's decision to recognize Asian American studies as an academic discipline was an important acknowledgment of the Asian American community's history and contributions.

"On the national level, Asian Americans comprise only 3 percent of the population, but it is crucial that we acknowledge that we do have a voice here," Dear said.

Dear initially entered college in hopes of attaining a bachelor's degree in creative writing, but after taking an introductory Asian American history course, he began to change his mind.

"[Taking the course] was like re-learning and studying history from an entirely different view. It opened up another dimension for me," Dear said. "My decision to major in Asian American studies had a lot to do with interest and having the inspiration to establish a cultural link to my Chinese identity."

The program is growing increasingly popular among the university's students. When Dear participates in graduation ceremonies this May, he will likely be joined by a dozen other students who have completed the program requirements.

The overall push to implement an Asian American studies program at San Francisco State University was a lengthy process that involved obtaining several levels of approval ranging from the chancellor of the California State University system to the Department of Education in Sacramento.

Although the university already offered a master's degree in ethnic studies, department officials felt it was time the university acknowledged Asian American studies as a separate major alongside subjects such as English and philosophy.

"In terms of Asian American studies, we've been around for 30 years," said Marlon Hom, chair of the Asian American studies department. "It was time that we looked at ourselves in the form of existence that we were treated like any other academic discipline. Having a degree puts us in a legitimate position [and says] that we're not something that plays along the peripheral around academia."

Hom attributes the university's success in part to the combined efforts of both students and faculty members. Without the added support from faculty, Hom doubts the department could have achieved the same results.

"Basically education is a political and a power struggle," Hom said. "We at San Francisco State were fortunate because our faculty was active, and we involved ourselves in the campus. We became a part of the campus process ... we were in a better position to read what was going on [within the campus] and to play with the 'big boys.'"

Although the department has made significant strides, it continually seeks to broaden its program and course offering to mirror the country's diverse ethnic fabric.

Currently, students majoring in Asian American studies must take a core group of introductory courses along with classes focusing on the experience of specific Asian American populations, such as Chinese, Filipino, Japanese, Southeast Asian, and next year, Korean Americans. Students are also expected to supplement introductory courses with classes ranging in subject from Asian Americans and the mass media to a seminar on contemporary Asian American communities.

Last year the department further diversified its curriculum with a trio of courses on the Vietnamese American experience.

"Vietnamese Americans play a major role in the Asian American community," said Hom, explaining that this particular ethnic group has also helped to redefine the urban and economic landscape in areas such as the Northeast, San Francisco, and Southern California. "We shouldn't be exclusive to the old [immigrant] groups from the 60s and 70s."

Photo by Jason Doiy
Dear with SSU's Asian American Studies Department Chair Marlon Hom.

As Dear explains, the department's attempts to include all Asian American groups within the curriculum has given him a broader perspective that has reshaped his opinions of other ethnic groups and the Asian American community as a whole.

"I learned that Asian Americans are a group of people who are still trying to make their presence known in the community. And in San Francisco, we tend to take that for granted," Dear said.

"A lot of the courses gave me a stronger awareness of the different Asian American groups out there, and how we have to stick together and put our voice out in politics and literature. We still have a long way to go I think, but the fact that we have an [Asian American studies] program is a major step."

Despite its long running program, the department's decision to offer an Asian American studies degree did not come quickly. Although the legitimacy of Asian American studies was obvious, officials worried about how receptive the outside world would be to a major in the subject.

Among other things, department officials were concerned that an Asian American studies degree might jeopardize their students chances of landing a job.

"Not that we're pessimistic, but America isn't ready for an Asian American studies degree ... there are no jobs for it," Hom said.

"We tell students [Asian American studies] is something that is not going to be ultimately a vocational training for you to get a job, but it will help enhance your job," Hom said, adding that as a precautionary measure, students are encouraged to major in two fields of study.

With today's corporate environment becoming more and more diverse, Hom views an Asian American studies degree as a valuable asset.

"In the corporate world, they may need specialization for minority interests and Asian American studies gives you training and sensitivity," to minority issues, Hom said.

For Dear, the potential impact of Asian American studies lies far beyond the program's ability to generate awareness or connect students with their own culture.

"They're more and more immigrants coming [to the United States], and we really should make an effort to understand people of different backgrounds since America is supposed to be a nation of immigrants," Dear said.

"Understanding the ethnic backgrounds of other people is a start to conquering racism."

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