Incorporating Community Engagement into Asian American Studies Curriculum Reform

This article examines the assessment of the UCLA Asian American studies program and resulting curriculum reform that was put into effect as of Fall 2013. The essay will discuss the context leading up to the 2013 curriculum reform, including the 2011 UCLA Asian American Studies Curriculum Assessment Project, the departmental curriculum restructure process, the most recent Academic Senate program review, and initial response to the community engagement courses. This serves as a case study of curriculum reform that successfully addressed the needs of the students, met Academic Senate requirements, and returned the department to the original principle of service through community engagement and partnerships.