Ep. 121 - What is the Asian Studies Minor?

Matt and Julian sit down with the incredible Dr. Kirk Kanesaka — scholar, global traveler, and proud champion of the Asian Studies minor at CSUSB.

Dr. Kanesaka shares how Asian Studies at CSUSB blends culture, health, business, food, and even community internships into a vibrant, hands-on learning experience.

Whether you’re an anime lover, a foodie, a future global professional, or just curious, this episode highlights how Asian Studies can enrich any major and maybe even spark your next adventure abroad.

Tune in and discover how this evolving program is building cultural competency, career-ready skills, and a true sense of community on campus. 🌏✨

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Transcript

Matt Markin  
Well, hello and welcome to another episode of the CSUSB Advising Podcast. This is Matt Markin and with me as always, is...

Julian Trujillo  
Advisor Julian. 

Matt Markin  
Hey Julian. So today we get to learn more about the Asian Studies minor. So Julian, do you want to let us know who our guest is today?

Julian Trujillo  
So today we're going to have Dr. Kanesaka. We're going to be going in and diving in a bit into what the Asian Studies minor consists of. So stay with us. We're going to go ahead and cover a few questions, and then we'll move over and follow the lead. 

Matt Markin  
Well, Dr. Kanesaka, thank you so much for joining us today. And you know, we want to throw this first question out to you before we jump into everything about the Asian Studies minor, can you tell us a little bit about you? What's been your path journey in higher ed what's what's your origin story?

Dr. Kirk Kanesaka  
Well, first off, thank you so much for having me. I'm really delighted to be here and to share a little bit about myself, as well as the Asian Studies program that we offer through the Department of World Languages and Literatures. So a little bit about myself my you know, I kind of came on a different path, perhaps I did my undergraduate studies at the University of California, at Los Angeles, UCLA, and originally I wanted to be a lawyer, so I was doing mainly my major was political science and philosophy, because UCLA doesn't offer a pre Law major, and I remember going into office hours for one of my political science classes, and the professor was like, so Kirk, you know, what would you like to be when you grow up? And I was like, oh, yeah, I'm planning to go to law school. And this, you know, he was a brilliant professor. He completed his law degree at Stanford. Was practicing law, decided that wasn't for him, and he went back for his political science PhD, and he became a professor, and he told me he's like, Kirk, yeah, no, I don't think you're going to cut it being a lawyer. So I was like, Oh no. Like, hmm. And so I decided to take a year to go study abroad through the Education Abroad program offered at UCLA, and I went to Tokyo University. And as also, part of my interest has always been Japanese classical dance. Since I was the age of three, I was practicing and learning. And when I was there, I was, you know, going for lessons, and one of the headmasters of a particular dance school said, you know, they offered this Kabuki program in Osaka. You're a foreigner, though, so you can't really become a Kabuki actor, but I think it would be great for you to go for two years for training, and I go, What the heck? You know, like, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity. And, you know, I was still young then, too, haha, but so I, you know, did the test and and interviews, and I passed. And after I graduated, which I graduated, actually on top of my class. At that time, my Kabuki mentor, he was the national living treasure for Kabuki. Sakata, told you to say, Well, if you want to study no bit more, why don't we study together? And this was really bizarre again, because they never accepted a foreigner into the theater since it was founded in the, you know, early 1600s and I thought, okay, yeah, sure. Why not, you know. And so I became the first non Japanese citizen to become a Kabuki actor. And after a while, though, like I was listening to my mentor, and one of his dreams was to take Kabuki beyond just sort of the Japanese, you know, national Performing Arts Theater. But he kept envisioning it more as a world theater. And he kept saying, you know, if ballet can be done across the globe, why can't Kabuki? And I thought to myself, well, how can I help him achieve that dream? And part of that is really educating. I think the west they, you know, oftentimes western theater perceives, you know, the East not having any performing arts or any theater. And so how can we re educate and introduce this wonderful art form? And so I came back and did my masters at USC, and then my my PhD, UCLA, and still, both worlds collide in my research. So I mainly look at the early modern period, emergence of popular fiction in Japan. So between 1600 to 1900 as well as. Theater and performing arts.

Julian Trujillo  
All right, appreciate you sharing that information. I think the information that you shared, a lot of good stuff. That's pretty I would say, Wow, to be the first person you know to the acceptor there as a foreigner, as a non foreigner, Japanese citizen. So, yeah, that's great stuff. Now, with that being said, what was the motivation behind establishing the Asian Studies minor at CSUSB, considering the background and the experiences they had and what needs or interests does that minor serve the students here at CSUSB?

Dr. Kirk Kanesaka  
Yeah. Well, you know, great question. Actually, the Asian Studies minor was already established. I was hired here on campus in 2003 fall 2003 the Asian Studies minor was actually established by our wonderful Dean of the College of Arts and Letters, Dean Truong. And so I inherited the program, since it was a little bit unkept after she became the dean. And so right now, I, you know, really think that San Bernardino County is at a wonderful place. Really is a culturally diverse and not many people realize that there was an actually a Chinatown in Riverside in San Bernardino County. It doesn't exist anymore. The very first Chinese restaurant was actually owned and operated by a Japanese immigrant. Unfortunately, he had to sell that restaurant down in Riverside when he was forced to relocate into the internment camps during World War Two. But for the longest time, that was the only Chinese restaurant, for example, and that grew into a Chinatown. And of course, again, like I said just a little bit earlier, we don't have those anymore. But beyond just kind of the Asian communities, really, San Bernardino is such a culturally diverse and rich County, and especially with the location of the rail systems and warehouses, really is going to be a great distribution center as well. And the Asian kind of studies is growing out of that direct need to understand these diverse cultures. And not might not necessarily be specifically about Asia, but understanding about other people, you know, culturally, as well as different perspectives of understanding the way of thinking, for example. And I think the Asian Studies program is developing in in the way that is helping students understand those different perspectives as well, as, you know, understanding then this diverse field, especially the Asian population, has been growing here in San Bernardino County, both where we are, but also in the high desert area, especially with the talks of the high speed, you know, train coming through that will help, you know, alleviate that traffic flow as well coming from the high desert to our campus.

Matt Markin  
So wonderful. Yeah, it's great, kind of learning more about it and kind of the background of it. And I'm sure you get students, and I know Julie and I get students that will ask about like, Should I add this program? Should I add this minor? Should I change this major? You know, some students may add a minor because they need a lot of free electives just to graduate from the university. Others might add a minor because it connects maybe with their major, or there's that general interest in it, or maybe some students are wanting to be more connected to their their career opportunities for students that you meet with that are inquiring about like the Asian Studies minor, and should they add it or not. What kind of conversations do you have with them about like, how it might complement or enhance their interests or their major you know, what? What kind of discussions do you have about that?

Dr. Kirk Kanesaka  
Yes, I mean, this is another great question. So thank you very much. With the Asian Studies, what's really unique about it is not just about the humanities, but it also incorporates classes like in the business sector, and as we are reforming the curriculum in terms of the classes that can be used and applied towards the Asian Studies minor, I'm also trying to open it up to the Sciences and Health. So one of the big goals for me in the coming years is to create this sort of certificate program as well that will focus on the Asian approaches to mental health and overall well being, health well being so then some of my colleagues in. For example, nutrition, for example, is offering some classes in these East Asian approaches, for example, to food and understanding about nutrition. And so incorporating those classes, for example, for the very first time that will count towards the Asian Studies minor as well as looking at body movement, body formations as well. So incorporating those aspects, I been also talking with one of my colleagues in criminal justice, for example, to also see what we can do in incorporating classes or offering classes that will also serve for the Asian Studies minor, but thinking about, you know, criminal justice studies and incorporating that, as you know, Japanese Americans and Japanese were sent to the internment camps during World War II, and so we have a lot of political movements as well, steaming up and thinking about just basic human rights, for example. And so having all these different aspects and perspectives allows students then to think about, wow, you know, I might not be, really, you know, an Asian Studies person, but then they can add these classes, because we are encompassing a wide kind of variety of approaches to Asia in general, as well as offering just, you know, I shouldn't say fun classes, but things like anime, for example. But we're not just looking at, you know how to draw anime characters, but thinking about, how can we approach anime and understand culture, for example, diversity. What are some of the ways that we can analyze anime and utilize anime to have a better understanding of each other in the long run? We also offer classes in video games, but again, not playing video games specifically, but creating story lines, thinking about the drama. And I'm from a performance stance, so I'm always thinking about the drama aspect. There's a theater aspect, but what are these stories, or what are these video games incorporating that hooks players into these realms. When we think about open world concept games, for example, how does the fourth wall barrier is broken between the viewer, that, in this case, a player, and the screen? For example, how does that video game kind of incorporates the player inside that particular world, there are an emerging field in both anime and animation studios and productions, especially being California, as well as video games, creating storylines, storyboards and translation works, for example, as well. So the Asian studies really then help students gain access to their fields as well things that they are interested in, but while gaining real life experiences.

Julian Trujillo  
Yeah, that was great. I did like, how you incorporating a lot of the other components that are just not face value, right? So I think one of the important ones they mentioned is body movement. Obviously, as your background in that. But I don't think other people realize that our bodies need to be moving right and making those connections with courses and diving into other aspects. So what I was kind of developing was kind of like kind of perspective right now you're actually consuming the material, not just by face value, we're playing a video game. We're drawing. But what's behind that? Right? The stories behind that? So, yeah, thank you for sharing that information. I want to kind of inquire, what about for students that are like, you know, maybe they're still unsure of the minor, or they're exploring the minor, what are some of the requirements that the minor requires to attain that minor.

Dr. Kirk Kanesaka  
Yes, so for the Asian Studies minor, again, right now, we are currently undergoing a huge revamp or overhaul of it. Some of the classes are listed that are required or that can be considered for the Asian Studies minor are, for example, no longer offered at our campus. So again, right now is going through and, you know, reformulating and recalculating and reexamining the different approaches and the classes that can be used and applied. But overall, a lot of the classes that are offered in for Asia studies are things that are like Japan, 3900, for example, which is the anime class, the manga and anime class. I've been offering a lot of courses as well, such as, you know, Asian supernatural tales of the supernatural, for example, popular culture and. At this coming term in the fall, I will be also looking at Asian food practices and food culture. So like a foodie class, for example. How are you know, Asian foods and cuisines influencing the American cuisine, for example, as well. But again, not just kind of looking at it through like, oh, let's try Panda Express, or something like that. But, but really looking at the immigrants and their stories, so thinking about those sort of classes, that these classes are also things that have components to them, like writing, intensive diversity, general education, categories that you know that it fulfills. So a lot of times, students are already, without knowing, already finish, like halfway through their Asian Studies minor, and by completing these classes, since we have to have writing intensive courses as well in general education courses, so and having a different, wide variety of courses not offered, not just in Cal, but in other colleges, means that all these classes can be applying towards their Asian minor. So a lot of times, the students who come it goes, oh my gosh, I only need, like, two more classes to fulfill it, and it's already classes that they probably have to also include towards their majors. So for example, I will be leading a faculty led program to Japan this summer for 2025 so the classes, again can be offered through for the honors degree as well for undergraduates, but a lot of times, the students who have signed up are needing that class as an elective for their major as well. So it's really kind of a great opportunity to explore Asia, go through these sort of different faculty led programs. We have a great exchange programs with universities in Japan and Korea, for example, as well that students can take advantage of going for a semester abroad and and kind of experiencing new cultures. I'm also working on finalizing a relationship between Kelsey San Bernardino and Kyoto Sangyo University, which will give another opportunity for students to study in Japan, in the heart of the old capital that was established in the seven hundreds, for example, and living through that rich culture and experiences, as well as meeting new people and creating the sort of friendly partnerships.

Matt Markin  
Yeah, and I know you mentioned that the program is kind of going through a revamp, but currently, right now, like one of the requirements is to do like an experiential course, like whether it's an internship, a study abroad experience, an independent study. Do you think that's also going to be something in the revamp that will, that will stay, that students would still have to complete?

Dr. Kirk Kanesaka  
Yes, and mainly because I think, again, it's a great way to experience the world and experience also their communities. So right now as well, I am working hard with the middle Tokyo Business Association Foundation, which is located in middle Tokyo in downtown Los Angeles, but trying to get students involved in the community, we can also offer, you know, internships at different community centers, such as the East San Gabriel Valley Japanese community center, which is always looking for internship programs as well. And there are actually local businesses such as the Sumitomo Rubber Company that also offers internships here in the San Bernardino County. So that is, again, a great way for students to get real life, you know, experiences before they even graduate, while creating those sort of lifelong bonds and friendships for you know that again, for their future and and just for even their own personal lives.

Matt Markin  
Yeah, well, I was hoping that was going to be your answer, because, you know, there are some programs, whether it's at this school or different school, where maybe it's more theory based versus, like, lecture based classes, but this really gives them that opportunity to kind of get that hands on experience and really put that theory into practice. So that's one of these that really stuck out to me with your program. Now, within your department, are there any like, extra resources that are available to students?

Dr. Kirk Kanesaka  
Yeah, so again, great question, and I'm so excited that you are asking this, we actually offer some scholarships, for example, through the Department of World Languages and Literatures. So the Asian Studies program was actually housed in the College up until now. So it was College of Arts and Letters, but now has officially have moved to its new home. In The World Languages and Literatures. So we do offer scholarships again for those that who have declared a minor or major in our department. So for example, we will have scholarships for the students that are going to the faculty led program to Japan this summer. So they can apply for some these scholarships now. But as well as we have, you know, scholarships that are meant to be used for a semester abroad, for example, in Japan or in Korea. So it's great opportunity that that way as well. But we also offer guest lecturers. So we have the Japanese distinguished speaker series, which is now in its third year. And so we offer and invite not just scholars, but also performers as well. So the last guest lecture was was madam Shirley Kazuyo Muramoto, who presented on the Japanese internment camps, but as well as the music that was being played there, so on the koto, which is a Japanese zither instrument, and the very first guest speaker that we invited to campus was actually Olympian karate champion, which was Sakura Kokumai. She placed fourth in the 2020 Karate Olympic tournament, but she's actually ranked first in the world for karate. So it was a really great treat to see her not just lecture or give a talk about her, her life and her journey, but also demonstrate different, you know, karate, and have students interact with her on the stage as well. So we have, and we try to strive to offer a variety of programming throughout the year for students, including a fall mixer where students who are interested in Asia can just come and hang out with light refreshments meet other students. I think networking is really important, and having a sense of community and belonging for the students so that maybe they'll see another person they met the mixture say, Oh yeah, that's right, you were at the mixer like, you know, what new animates out there that you recommend, what new, you know, video games, and what new Japanese restaurant or Asian restaurant that opened up that you recommend. So I hope that students will always feel that they this is sort of their second home from, you know, their main residence, or their main home.

Julian Trujillo  
Right now, I know you were kind of mentioning a bit of the stuff that you guys are planning to bring to the table, essentially, the types of classes, the goal right of making this kind of what you're going to stay the home, away from home, or from wherever the residences. And you guys are revamping a lot of the minor and coming up with different ideas and plans, right? And I'm excited, Matt as well, as as excited as you as well. And you might have already touched bases a little bit on this. But if you mind me asking, how do you see the value of Asian Studies evolving in today's global context?

Dr. Kirk Kanesaka  
Yeah, I mean, you know, I think what we have been seeing, even within this past month, you know, Asia is really going to be part of that international kind of center stage, or part of the international stage. We've seen, for example, relationships between China and Japan turn in a matter of hours after, you know, over or over certain type of issues. And really, then, especially because California, in its location to closest, you know, to Asia in the United States, Asia really has become central to the global kind of economy. And as well as soft power, we can kind of say which is going to be the cultural arts, popular culture. And of course, you know, as well as politics, and these developments are really reflect in the daily experiences of the communities within San Bernardino County. As well, we see a rise in the population in San Bernardino and the diversification of San Bernardino County as a result of the I think, just the location of San Bernardino County and what it offers so the region's kind of growing international connections, especially with things like, you know, the warehouses and railway systems and the diverse population and the expanding global industries just make cultural competency essential for students preparing to work and live here, even beyond maybe perhaps San Bernardino County. But. I think really then what will kind of, what we'll see is a need, then to understand Asia as a whole, on both the good side and the bad side. And this is what the Asian Studies program is going to offer. We see things that students can take classes in history, for example, literature, drama, as well as popular culture, like anime, food culture, you know, video games, things that they can also gain real life experiences for their future careers. And this then helps prepare the students for these roles by giving them the tools to interpret and be interconnected with the world, especially through the programs such as education abroad, the faculty led programs, as well as bringing those guest lectures onto our campus and having them share their own experiences, and really, then hopefully, influence the students towards different careers or different perspectives that they may not have been familiar with before. 

Matt Markin  
Love it. It's such useful and great information that you provided today about the Asian Studies program I know Jill and I have learned a lot from this, and can't wait to share this with students. Thank you so much for joining us on the podcast today.

Dr. Kirk Kanesaka  
Well, thank you so much for having me.