Mission

The Intercollegiate Department of Asian American Studies (IDAAS) addresses Asian and Pacific Islander issues and experiences through interdisciplinary teaching and research. Established in 1998, IDAAS provides a rich academic program to all students at the Claremont Colleges (Claremont McKenna, Harvey Mudd, Pitzer, Pomona, and Scripps.)

At the heart of our program is rigorous intellectual engagement through cooperative learning, political engagement, and critical pedagogies. The department offers courses in anthropology, cultural studies, economics, ethnomusicology, gender and feminist studies, history, literature, media analysis, performance studies, psychology, queer studies, racial politics, sociology, and transnationalism.

Carrying forward the community-based origins of Asian American Studies, we provide innovative opportunities such as the Margo Okazawa-Rey Summer Fellowship, community-based theses, and student-run topical seminars. Situated in the greater Los Angeles area, IDAAS engages students in community-based learning framed by critical inquiries and analyses.