Since its formation in 1941, the AAS has gone through a series of reorganizations to serve better the broadening
disciplinary and geographical interests of its membership.
In 1970 four elective Area
Councils—South Asia (SAC), Southeast Asia (SEAC), China and
Inner Asia (CIAC), and Northeast Asia (NEAC)—were established to
guarantee each area constituency its own representation and a proportionate voice on the
Board of Directors.
In 1977 a Council of Conferences (COC) was established as a
liaison with several conferences throughout the United States which serve the needs of
scholars of Asian studies in different parts of the country.
