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 Charles Wei-Hsun Fu Center for Asian and Pacific Studies (CAPS) is an interdisciplinary instructional unit of the College of Arts and Letters (CAL) and an integral part of the international studies curriculum at San Diego State University (SDSU). The Center promotes the study of the Asia Pacific region that is broadly defined to include East Asia, Southeast Asia, and South Asia. Our curriculum draws on diverse faculty from a variety of disciplines across the campus such as history, philosophy, anthropology, study of religion, sociology, political science, arts and design, films, and dance, who offer innovative and informative classes in various topics on Asian histories, thoughts, cultures, and societies. Students are invited to immerse themselves in new perspectives, values, strategies, and life experiences through key offerings on the Asia Pacific region, ranging from Asian philosophies and religions to contemporary popular cultures of anime and K-pop.
Upcoming Events
Film Screening + Disucssion
CAPS and the Alexander Hamilton Society invite you to a sneak peek of the award-winning PBS documentary Invisible Nation and a discussion with its director, Vanessa Hope. The film follows Tsai Ing-wen, Taiwan's first female president, as she fights for the future of her country's democracy at a time when freedom worldwide is under threat from authoritarianism.
Thursday, March 18 @5PM in Main Stage Theatre, SDSU
Spring 2026 Events
2/5 @4PM CAPS Meet & Greet (AL 473)
2/17 @12PM APIDA Lunar New Year Celebration (Student Union)
2/19 @4PM CAPS Lunar New Year Craft Event (AL 473)
3/5 @4PM CAPS Panagbenga Craft Event (AL 473)
3/18 @5PM Invisible Nation Screening (Main Stage Theatre)
4/11 SDSU Explore (Student Union Walkway)
TBD CAPS @ SDAFF (TBD)
4/21 A.I. In Asia (TBD)
5/7 @4PM CAPS End of Semester Celebration (TBD)
Take a class with us
Courses
Spring 2026
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
- 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 spring course flyer or see the class schedule for more information.
Fall 2026
Asian+ Studies
- ASIAN 100 State & Society in the Asia Pacific*
- ASIAN 101 Asian Thought & Cultures*
- ASIAN 430 Korean Culture Through Media
- ASIAN 454 Manga & Japanese History
- ASIAN 458 Asian Traditions
- ASIAN 315 Yoga: Theory & Practice (2 sections)
- ASIAN 328 Islam
*Asian+ Studies includes Asian Studies majors & minors, and Chinese, Japanese, & Korean Studies minors
Electives From Other Departments
- ART 564 Art of China
- HIST 425 Vietnam War
- HIST 567 China in Revolution
- HONOR 313 Gender and Sexuality in Asia, Past, & Present
- PHIL 353 Buddhist Philosophy
- REL S 338 Buddhism
Download our fall course flyer or see the class schedule for more information.