skip to main content
Center for Asian & Pacific Studies
Menu
market and restaurant in Asia
mountains surrounded by clouds
Borobudur Temple - stone bell shapes
view of top of table with various trays of food
Yangzhou City pagodas at night
mural on side of building of man screaming

Charles Wei-hsun Fu
Center for Asian and Pacific Studies

San Diego, poised on the Pacific Rim

Asia is undeniably a major player in the world today—from global economics, politics, and environmentalism to pop culture, philosophy, and the fine arts
—representing diverse cultural resources that have endured thousands of years.

The SDSU campus is embedded in a vibrant community with diverse populations, reflected in our student body.

The Center for Asian and Pacific Studies (CAPS) is an interdisciplinary instructional unit of the College of Arts and Letters and an integral part of SDSU’s international studies curriculum. Our curriculum draws on diverse faculty from across the campus to offer innovative and informative classes in the Asian thought and culture encompassing art, communication, film studies,  environmental issues, history, literature, philosophy, political science, religious studies, women’s studies, as well as Asian-American experiences.Students are invited to immerse themselves  in new perspectives, values, strategies, and life experiences through key offerings in the Asia Pacific region, including such themes as the traditional roots of K-pop, anime, and contemporary arts; deep insights from Buddhism, Daosim, Confucianism, Hinduism, Islam, Shinto; unexpected leadership model and entrepreneurial enterprises; social roles and relationships.

Download our brochure

 

Upcoming Fall 2025 Events

fall 2025 events schedule

Fall 2025 Events Schedule

9/18 | 4 PM: Meet & Greet in AL 473
9/25 | 4 PM: Watch Party - Parasite in SH 208
10/2 | 4 PM: Mid-Autumn Festival in AL 473
10/8 | 2:30 PM: Rondalla at Scripps Cottage
10/30 | 4 PM: Scary Movie - Ziam in SH 204
11/06 | 4 PM: Faculty Talk - Dr. Kirk Sandvig in SH 205
TBD | 4 PM: SDAFF TBD
12/4 | 4 PM: Ornament Crafting in AL 473
12/11 | 4 PM: End of Semester Student Luncheon in AL 473

Faculty Talk: Dr. Kirk Sandvig

Asian+ Studies Faculty Talk Dr. Kirk Sandvig 

Nov. 6, 2025 | 4 PM | Location: SH 205

This talk explores the connections between celebrations of the dead, including Pagan Samhain, its integration with All Saints Day in Christianity, and ties to Dia de Los Muertos, as well as Buddhism's Ullambana festival honoring ancestors.

 

Take a class with us

Spring 2026 Courses

Asian Studies
  • ASIAN 101: Asian Thought & Cultures*
  • ASIAN 321: Korean Civilization
  • ASIAN 499+: Special Study & Research or Thesis

*Asian+ Studies includes Asian Studies majors & minors, and Chinese, Japanese, & Korean Studies minors

Electives From Other Departments
  • ART 565: Art of Japan
  • AAS 323: +Korean American Experiences
  • DANCE 383: Kpop Dance (GE
  • HIST 566: Ancient and Imperial China
  • PHIL 353: Buddhist Philosophy
  • PHIL 565: Asian Philosophies
  • POL S 362: Governments and Politics of East Asia
  • POL S 575: International Relations of the Pacific Rim
  • REL S 338: Buddhism
  • REL S 341: Japanese Religions Through Anime

+Only for Korean Studies minor

Download our course flyer or see the class schedule for more information.