PACIFIC 304

Advanced Pacific Studies

Please note: this is archived course information from 2021 for PACIFIC 304.

Description

This acts as the capstone course for the Pacific Studies major. The purpose of this course is to equip and empower students in their understanding of interdisciplinary methods and approaches in Pacific Studies, to do work that engages Pacific communities. It is especially useful for students interested in postgraduate studies.

We start the course with student-led discussions of their interests, and what they see as important topics for Pacific communities within and outside New Zealand. Using those as a departure point, students work on their first project in small groups, researching their chosen topics for presentation to the class. Along the way, students learn about different resources and research approaches, as well as tap in to their own creativity. Different modes of presenting Pacific Studies work and their relevance for real world applications - from policy papers and briefings to NGO reports - are also explored. The last section and central feature of the course is the original research project completed by each student, which builds on methods and knowledge learned from their various Pacific Studies papers, as well as over the course of the semester. The class ends with presentations at Pacific Research Night, which is open to the public.

The course features guest speakers and field trips that are designed to expose students to different kinds of work in and with Pacific communities (past field trip sites have included the Auckland Art Gallery and the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment, with guest speakers from the Ministry for Pacific Peoples, Pacific Studies faculty and alumni, and tailored workshops by Career Development and Employability Services, among others). 

Assessment: Coursework

Availability 2021

Semester 2

Lecturer(s)

Lecturer(s)  Marcia Leenen-Young

Reading/Texts

Course readings are available on the PACIFIC 304 Talis list linked in Canvas

Points

PACIFIC 304: 15 points

Prerequisites

PACIFIC 200 and a minimum B- average at Stage II in Pacific Studies