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School of Culture History and Language · ANU College of Asia and the Pacific
This course introduces students to the histories, key terms and approaches shaping the dynamic, transdisciplinary field of Pacific Studies. It outlines the ways in which Oceania has been approached, mapped and represented in scholarly, policy, arts, mainstream, and social media contexts. The course also provides an introduction to Australian, Aotearoa New Zealand and US relations with the Pacific, and a comparative lens on the nature of Pacific Studies within these countries and the islands. It emphasizes the complexity, diversity, creativity, and sovereignty of the region. Indigenous Pacific Islander approaches to engaging and learning with and from Oceania, including through dance, poetry, music, fashion and film, are particularly highlighted. PASI2001 is a key course in Pacific Studies that provides a historical and contemporary understanding of Pacific Island Cultures and is foundational for anyone seeking to work in the Pacific region and/or with Pacific Island Communities.
Leading tutorial discussion
Learning outcomes 1, 3, 5
Online entries in Wattle discussion forum - 10 submissions
Learning outcomes 1, 2, 3, 5
Course quiz
Learning outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4
Key Papers Analytical Essay (1200 words)
Learning outcomes 1, 3, 4
Group research project and presentation
Learning outcomes 5, 6
Reflective report (1500 words and images)
Learning outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4
Contact hours for this course are 2 hours of lectures and 1 hour of tutorials per week. Students are also expected to spend an additional 7-8 hours of independent study per week on class readings, tutorial preparation, group research and assignments. The workload for the class is 130 hours including in-class time and independent study. Other Information It is strongly recommended that all students undertaking a degree with a Pacific regional focus complete this course. This course will provide foundational knowledge that will also be useful when taking other 2000 and 3000 level PASI courses. This is a co-taught course. Any cap on enrolments in one course applies to both courses combined.
All course materials and readings will be provided on Wattle. Preliminary Reading Firth, Stewart (ed.). 2006. Globalisation and Governance in the Pacific Islands: State, Society and Governance in Melanesia. Canberra: ANU E Press. Online: press.anu.edu.au/publications/series/state-society-and-governance-melanesia/globalisation-and-governance-pacific Hau’ofa, Epeli. 2008. We are the Ocean: Selected Works. Honolulu: University of Hawai'i Press. Kabutaulaka, Tarcisius. 2015. ‘Re-Presenting Melanesia: Ignoble Savages and Melanesian Alter-Natives’ The Contemporary Pacific, Vol 27:1, 73-180. Teaiwa, Katerina. 2014. ‘Culture moves? The Festival of Pacific Arts and Dance Remix in Oceania.’ Dance Research Aotearoa 2: 2–19. Teaiwa, Teaiwa K. 1994. ‘bikinis and other s/pacific n/oceans’, The Contemporary Pacific. 6:1 (87-109).