- Educates students about the history of racism and imperialism in the U.S. “The origin story of Asian American Studies ties its roots to the civil rights movement and radical student actions of the 1960s and 1970s. The conditions of deep and long-standing racial inequality in the United States and imperialistic militarism and racism overseas informed the interracial alliances and calls for self-determination that brought about Ethnic Studies, including Asian American Studies.”
- Creates and develops an Asian American perspective in the study of American history within the broader context of the historical development of American society, culture, politics, and economy
- Helps students “search for roots of the problems facing Asian American communities today”
- “Trains Asian American students-regardless of their choice of future occupations–to play constructive roles in Asian American communities by nurturing their sense of self-worth as individuals as well as their sense of responsibility with regard to the welfare of their communities”
- Creates new intellectual avenues for students to learn about and navigate increasingly diverse educational and work environments
- Allows students to develop critical analytic skills by presenting alternative perspectives on citizenship, belonging, and representation
- Signals to potential employers that students understand a broad range of experiences related to immigration history as well as ethnic and racial relations
