COURSE CURRICULUM

The Master of Arts (MA) in Pacific and Asian Studies, Long Thesis option, is a 15-unit graduate program combining structured coursework with a major research thesis. The program is designed to develop advanced research skills and interdisciplinary understanding of the Asia-Pacific region, with students selecting either the Regional Studies stream or the Literary and Textual Studies stream. All students begin with core methodological training through PAAS550 (Research Methodologies) and PAAS590 (Directed Studies), which provide essential grounding in research design, analytical approaches, and independent scholarly inquiry. Students then specialize based on their chosen stream. In the Regional Studies stream, coursework includes PAAS500 (Theories of Pacific Region Societies) and PAAS520 (Special Topics in Pacific Studies), focusing on the cultural, political, economic, and historical dynamics of the region. In the Literary and Textual Studies stream, students complete PAAS501 (Cultural, Linguistic and Literary Theories in Asia-Pacific Studies) and PAAS521 (Special Topics in Asia-Pacific Literature, Linguistics and Culture), emphasizing texts, narratives, and cultural expression across Asia-Pacific societies. The remaining portion of the program consists of PAAS599, a substantial thesis worth 9 units, where students conduct original, supervised research in their chosen area of specialization. Overall, the program develops strong analytical, theoretical, and research skills for careers in academia, policy, cultural work, or further doctoral study.