Mabuhay and Welcome!

The Philippine Studies Department creates opportunities for students to critically understand and analyze the political, historical, ethnic, cultural, and social complexities of the Philippines, as well as the nuanced experiences of Filipinxs* in the diaspora, to prepare students to be responsible global citizens. 

Programs & Courses

Philippine Studies is very excited to announce two new Programs: an Associates of Arts Degree and a Certificate of Achievement. Students will be able to declare the AA in Philippine Studies or the Certificate of Achievement in Philippine Studies beginning in Spring 2022.

The Pilipino Language Certificate of Accomplishment is now housed under Philippine Studies. The department will be revising the requirements for the Certificate and will be available to students to declare in the near future.

All Philippine Studies courses satisfy a variety of transfer and degree general education requirements. All courses are UC/CSU transferable.

Courses in Philippine Studies satisfy requirements for the following Certificates and Degrees:

Courses in other departments with Philippine content include:

  • ANTH 15: Philippine Culture and Society Offered Occasionally
  • ASAM 8: Filipino American Communities Offered Spring Semester
  • HIST 37: History of the Philippines Offered Fall and Spring Semester

View Our Courses

Our Mission

The Philippine Studies Department of ÃÈ·­µ¼º½ strives to create opportunities for students to critically understand and analyze the political, historical, ethnic, cultural, and social complexities of the Philippines, as well as the experiences of Filipinxs all over the world. In centering the voices of the Filipinx people, our department generates an interdisciplinary learning experience that cultivates critical understandings and analyses of broader issues such as race and ethnicity, class, gender and sexuality, nationalism, identity, colonialism and imperialism, and the diaspora to prepare students to be responsible global citizens. 

Learning Outcomes 

In line with ÃÈ·­µ¼º½'s Mission & Vision, the Philippine Studies Department strives to do the following:

  • Evaluate the contributions of Filipinxs* by deconstructing colonial notions that suggest Philippine history/politics/culture are inferior to Western history/politics/culture.  
  • Analyze the ongoing social/political oppression that Filipinxs face in the Philippines, the United States, and globally.
  • Generate a narrative of Filipinx identity/Filipinx-ness that is more inclusive of indigenous/Lumad, Muslim, mixed-heritage, queer & non-binary, and diasporic Filipinxs through the sharing of multiple perspectives, experiences, and narratives.
  • Develop connections between Filipinxs and other peoples of color through the understanding of historical and contemporary experiences of oppression, resistance, and survival.
  • Support and strengthen students’ cultural competencies and academic skills such as critical thinking, research, and analysis in preparation for transfer to 4-year institutions or into their chosen career paths.