UCSB的亚裔美国人研究系是一所主要研究大学中第一个专门研究亚裔美国人的学术系，也是美国第一个提供亚裔美国人研究文学学士学位的系。该系为本科专业提供学习和了解亚裔美国人的经验的机会，尤其是他们的历史，社区和文化。学生将学习评估亚裔美国人研究中的现有文献，分析有关亚裔美国人的各种数据，进行原创性研究，并参与实习和社会正义问题。
What historical forces brought Asian families - and perhaps your family - to the United States, Why does being Asian American look and feel the way it does. What aspects of the Asian American life would you want to understand better: gender and sexuality, politics, religion, mixed-race experiences, environmental racism, or mental health. Whether you want to analyze films or write plays, study immigration laws or help marginalized communities, the department of Asian American studies offers meaningful, versatile courses taught by dedicated faculty. Come for the GEs, stay for the transformative education and close-knit community.<br><br>The Department of Asian American Studies was one of the very first autonomous academic departments in the United States completely devoted to the study of Asian Americans. The department was founded by Professor Sucheng Chan, a pioneer in our field. Over the years, the department has consistently offered students the opportunity to study and understand the experiences of Asian Americans, particularly their histories, communities, and cultures. Our students learn to evaluate the existing literature on Asian American communities, to analyze a variety of perspectives on Asian Americans, to conduct original research, and to engage in community-based work. Professors in the department offer courses informed by approaches from the traditional disciplines, including history, sociology, law, education, psychology, and literature, as well as from interdisciplinary scholarship in women's studies, law and society, public policy, global studies, social movements, cultural studies, and film and media studies.