School of Humanities

Learning Outcomes for Asian American Studies 4+1 M.A.

PLO 1. Core Knowledge

  • Students will demonstrate a mastery of core knowledge in the field of Asian American Studies.

PLO 2. Research Methods and Analysis

  • Students will demonstrate knowledge of and the ability to utilize interdisciplinary research methods and analysis.

PLO 3. Independent Research

  • Students will be able to conduct independent research resulting in the original production of the Master’s thesis or comprehensive exam.

PLO 4. Communication

  • Students will be able to communicate to scholarly audiences as well as translate academic knowledge to non-academic audiences.

The success of each PLO will be determined by the students’ ability to navigate the following requirements:

  1. Students will demonstrate the mastery of core knowledge in the field of Asian American Studies in the following ways:
  • The students’ ability to achieve a 3.5 G.P.A. as part of the requirements for graduation.
  • The production of the thesis/comprehensive exam prospectus, as part of the curriculum in ASIANAM 200D- Introduction to Asian American Studies Research. Students will articulate the significance of the proposed thesis/comprehensive exam project in relation to the core knowledge in the field of Asian American Studies.
  1. Students will demonstrate their knowledge of and ability to utilize interdisciplinary research methods and analyses in the following ways:
  • The production of the community engagement research project and presentation, also known as the Community Action Plan, as part of the curriculum in ASIANAM 200C-Leadership and Social Change in Asian American Communities.
  • The production of the thesis/comprehensive exam prospectus, as part of the curriculum in ASIANAM 200D- Introduction to Asian American Studies Research. Students will articulate the significance of the proposed thesis/comprehensive exam project and explain the relevant interdisciplinary research methods to be used for the project.
  • The successful completion and defense of the capstone project.  Students will explain their research methodology and analyze the outcomes of their approach.
  1. Students will demonstrate competency in independent research in the following ways:
  • The production of the thesis/comprehensive exam prospectus, as part of the curriculum in ASIANAM 200D- Introduction to Asian American Studies Research.  
  • The successful completion and defense of the capstone thesis/comprehensive exam project.  Students will demonstrate an advanced understanding of independent research by becoming the primary lead in their area of focus and the type of research they produce. The faculty advisor will mentor students on best practices to achieve their research goals.
  1. Students will demonstrate their ability to communicate with a scholarly audience in the following ways:
  • The production of the thesis/comprehensive exam prospectus. This work is designed for the assessment of the faculty advisor and thesis/comprehensive exam committee. Students must articulate the significance of the proposed thesis/comprehensive exam project in relation to the core knowledge of the field.
  • The presentation of core knowledge in the field of Asian American Studies as part of the requirements of the core curriculum. Master’s students will be enrolled concurrently with Humanities doctoral students and, as such, are expected to contribute to class discussion at the doctoral level.

Students will demonstrate their ability to translate academic knowledge to non-academic audiences in the following ways:

  1. The completion of the guest facilitator project, as part of the curriculum in ASIANAM 200C-Leadership and Social Change in Asian American Communities. Students will research, interact, and write about Asian American community members, artists, and organizations. Students must communicate with their fellow students and guests about the significance and relevance of the work being done in the community as it relates to the core knowledge of the discipline.
  2. Through the M.A. exam defense with the faculty committee, students must reflect on the significance of their completed project in relation to the core knowledge in the field of Asian American Studies as well as the ways in which their methodology and process may have shifted as they conducted their research. As this defense will be open to the public, particularly the local Asian American community, students must tailor their communication to a non-academic audience.

    We’re here to help. Please contact Venette Van Duyn to request services.