Pacific Studies (BA)
Hours - 42 Credit Hours
Effective Sep. 2023
Last Revision 6/2/2023
Faculty Unit Assignment: Culture, Language & Performing Arts
Sponsoring Program: Pacific Studies
Holokai Category: Arts & Humanities
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Program Requirements
Required Core — 15 Credits
| Course Number | Title | Semester Offered | Credit Hours | Prerequisite |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PAIS 105 | Introduction to Pacific Studies | F, W, S | 3.0 | |
| PAIS 200 | Recognizing Place, Purpose, and Positionality on Native land | F, W, S | 3.0 | PAIS 105 |
| PAIS 201 | Indigenous Pacific Research Methodology | F, W, S | 3.0 | PAIS 105 |
| PAIS 320 or | Peace and Conflict in the Pacific or | F, W | 3.0 | PAIS 105 |
| PAIS 390R | Special Topics in Pacific Studies | F, W, S | 3.0 | PAIS 105 |
| PAIS 490R or | Senior Tutorial or | F, W, S | 3.0 | Permission of instructor |
| PAIS 496R or | Student Research or | F, W, S | 3.0 | Permission of instructor |
| PAIS 399R | Internship in Pacific Studies | F, W, S | 3.0 | Permission of instructor |
PACIFIC STUDIES ELECTIVES — 18 Credits
(must take 12 credits of 300 level or above)
| Course Number | Title | Semester Offered | Credit Hours | Prerequisite |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PAIS 220 | Pacific Social Development | F, W | 3.0 | PAIS 105 |
| PAIS 250 | Polynesian Dance and Performance | F, W, S | 3.0 | |
| PAIS 275 | Pacific Wood Carving | F, W, S | 3.0 | |
| PAIS 320 | Peace and Conflict in the Pacific (if not taken as a core course) | F, W | 3.0 | PAIS 105 |
| PAIS 330 | Sovereignty and Self Governance in Oceania | F, W | 3.0 | PAIS 105 |
| PAIS 331 | Women in Oceania | Variable | 3.0 | PAIS 105 |
| PAIS 340 | Anti-Racism and Belonging: Pacific Dialogue | F, W | 3.0 | PAIS 105 |
| PAIS 375 | Environmental Issues and Resource Management | W, S | 3.0 | PAIS 105 |
| PAIS 390R | Special Topics in Pacific Studies (if not taken as a core course) | F, W, S | 3.0 | |
| LANG 100/200/300 | HAWN/MAOR/SAMN/TONG (Pacific Languages Only) | Variable | 3+ |
Electives — 9 Credits
(must take 6 credits of 300 level or above)
| Course Number | Title | Semester Offered | Credit Hours | Prerequisite |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ANTH 210 | Contemporary Pacific | F | 3.0 | |
| ANTH 391 | Narrative, Identity, & Culture | F | 3.0 | PAIS 105 or ANTH 105 or COMM 110 or HUM 151 or HUM 251 or IPB 121 or PAIS 105 |
| ENGL 342 | Pacific Literatures | W | 3.0 | ENGL 251 or ENGL 315 or HUM 251 |
| GEOG 471 | Geography of the Pacific | W | 3.0 | |
| HIST 250 or | History of Eastern Oceania or | W-even | 3.0 | |
| HIST 252 | History of Western Oceania | W-odd | 3.0 | |
| HIST 362 | History of the Pacific | S | 3.0 | |
| HUM 301 | Cultures of Oceania | F | 3.0 | |
| IPB 311 | NGOs and Conflict Transformation | F | 3.0 | PAIS 105 or IPB 121 |
| IPB 352 | Intercultural Conflict Dynamics | F | 3.0 | IPB 121 or permission of instructor |
| POSC 322 | Oceanic Governments and Politics | W | 3.0 |
Additional Program Requirements
No grade lower than a C- is allowed within the major requirements.
Program Descriptions
Pacific Islands studies is an interdisciplinary major. It focuses on current issues of the lands and peoples of the Pacific Islands region. It offers students the opportunity to learn skills in critical thinking, oral presentation and research writing while understanding the Pacific Islands in both a regional and global setting. Students of Pacific Islands studies are able to continue graduate study or enter the work force in a variety of areas, where an intimate knowledge of Pacific issues can be an advantage. This is especially enhanced when the student takes a minor in another discipline.
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon completing a major in Pacific Studies, students will:
- Demonstrate competence in core Pacific Studies knowledge (history, geography, language, traditions, values, arts, literature, politics, perspectives) and cultural practices (protocols, ceremonies, day-to-day lifestyles).
- Develop information literacy skills to evaluate and utilize primary and secondary sources, and critically analyze findings of Pacific Island Studies sources.
- Conduct research and develop critical thinking skills to identify resources, analyze issues, and create solutions in Oceania.
- Demonstrate knowledge of indigenous Pacific world views, languages, values, and viewpoints through verbal and written expressions.