Change in the Pacific (Severance, 2002)

CHANGE IN THE PACIFIC

ANTHROPOLOGY 357

University of Hawai‘i at Hilo

Fall 2002

Office Hrs MWF10-11 MW3-4:30& by Appt.

Craig Severance

OBJECTIVES: 1. To become familiar with contemporary lifestyles and aspirations of people in the Pacific Island states and territories. 2. To understand some of the contemporary cultural & social changes and related economic and political issues. 3 To recognize the geopolitical context of great power interests, and the role of regionalism and political movements in struggling to counter that power. 4. To know current information sources. 5. To gain some sense of the creative and adaptive responses to perceived problems and of the sophistication of islanders as politicians and observers of their own conditions and status.

COMMENT: This course does not require a specific background in anthropology because it focuses on contemporary issues and problems from a multidisciplinary area perspective. It does require that you understand the island states and cultures in their current geopolitical context and that you consider two perspectives: That of the outsiders and that of the insiders, the islanders themselves. We will read insider literature including some that is critical of outsider commentary.

NOTE: Any Student with a documented disability who would like to request accommodations should contact the University Disability Services Office at 933-0816(V), 933-3334(TTY), Campus Center Room 311, as early in the semester as possible

TEXTS: To buy: Lockwood et al.: Contemporary Pacific Societies;

Hau'ofa: Tales of the Tikongs

A number of short additional required readings will be assigned as we go. You will either be given copies, or will make your own copies individually or collectively.

EVALUATION:

Final Exam	20%
Two Quizzes	20%
Map exercise	10%
Think or resource question	10%
Paper (Conference required!)	30%
Personal evaluation (extra credit?)	10%

PAPERS AND EXAMS: Paper topics are flexible but must go beyond Hawaii and are negotiated in the required conference. I will edit drafts if they are submitted early and help you with sources. Exams include maps, definitions, & short essays and are weighted roughly 70% lecture and 30% reading. You are adults, so I won’t be taking formal attendance, but I will consider attendance and interest in your 10% personal evaluation. Regular attendance and good note-taking is important to grasp concepts and details. In class reviews and study guides will help on exams, but will not substitute for good notes. If you have a compelling reason to reschedule an exam, I must be if notified in advance!

TENTATIVE TOPIC OUTLINE: Adjustable to class interests and visiting speaker schedules

Week 1. Aug 26-30 Intro: The Rim & the Islands: Resources(Begin Lockwood, Section One.) Hau'ofa

"Our Sea of Islands"

Week 2. Sep 4 & 6 Cultural Background. recommended Thomas reading

Week 3. Sep 9-13 Historical Background: Colonial impacts, metropolitan ties. Begin Hau'ofa's" Tales"

Week 4. Sep 16-20 Postwar nationalism & independence

Cultural Identity

Week 5. Sep 23-27 Regional organizations and alliances

Maps due! (Lockwood: Section two)

Week 6. Sept 30-Oct 4 Neocolonialism: Trade, dependence vulnerability

Week 7. Oct 8-12 Urban growth: Push-Pull & rural decline

(Shuster reading)

Week 8. Oct 14-18 Population Growth & Circulation Remittance Economies (Lockwood: Section three)

OCT 18, LAST DAY TO WITHDRAW

Week 9. Oct 21-25 Brain Drains, overseas communities

Week 10. Oct 28-Nov 1. Alcohol abuse, Drugs etc.

Week 11. Nov 4-8 Crime; Domestic Violence

Week 12. Nov 13&15 Suicide & Health (Lockwood: Section Four)(Hezel reading)

Week 13. Nov 18-22 Diseases of "Modernization"

Week 14. Nov 25&27 Environmental problems/ Disaster & Aid

Week 15. Dec 2-6 Dependency vs Self Reliance(Hau'ofa on Aid)

Week 16. Dec 9&11 Recap: Trends: Poverty or expansion?

final exam: MONDAY Dec 16, 2:00 P.M.

Upload: 4/25/2003