MICRONESIAN STUDIES COURSES

MI–501 PEOPLES AND CULTURES OF MICRO

FALL ONLY/ALL YEARS

3 credit hours

This course provides a comprehensive overview of the cultures and societies of the Micronesian area. Prerequisite: Graduate Standing or Senior Level or Consent of Instructor.

 

MI–502 HISTORY OF MICRONESIA

SPRING ONLY/ALL YEARS

3 credit hours

This course provides a comprehensive understanding of a thematic historical approach of the Micronesian region. A critical examination of the various forms of historical evidence, both indigenous and Western, pertaining to the region will be addressed. Prerequisite: Graduate Standing or Senior Level or Consent of Instructor.

 

MI–503 CONTEMPORARY ISSUES AND PROBLEMS

SPRING ONLY/ALL YEARS

3 credit hours

This course provides an in-depth understanding of contemporary issues and problems facing Micronesian society: economic development, political status and change, ethnicity and population shift, resources and environment, social and health problems. Prerequisite: Graduate Standing or Senior Level or Consent of instructor.

 

MI–506 PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY OF MICRONESIA

FALL ONLY/EVEN YEARS

3 credit hours

This course is a study of the origin and characteristics of the physical environments and biogeography of Micronesia through an analysis of physical geographic elements, their patterns of distribution, interrelationships, and problems. Prerequisites: Graduate standing or senior level.

 

MI–508 MICRONESIAN PHILOSOPHY

AS REQUIRED/AS REQUIRED

3 credit hours

This course examines the various approaches to philosophy found in Micronesia. Philosophy is framed by historical and cultural conditions. This course will explicate the meaning and significance of philosophical wisdom for the dominant cultures, past and present, in Micronesia. Prerequisite: Graduate Standing.

 

MI–510 GOVERNANCE OF ISLAND POLITIES

SPRING ONLY/ODD YEARS

3 credit hours

This course is an analysis the challenges confronting government and political life on Guam and other Pacific island polities, focusing on examples from Micronesia related to post-colonial transition, globalization, economic strategies, globalization, cultural preservation, and sustainability of island societies. Prerequisites: MI502 or consent of instructor.

 

MI–512 GUAM/CHAMORRO STUDIES

FALL ONLY/EVEN YEARS

3 credit hours

This seminar is a historical analysis of Guam's colonial legacy and a critical examination of major contemporary issues including CHamoru cultural survival, land, social and economic development, political status, religion, and modern modes of scholarly inquiry in Guam. This seminar presupposes introductory courses in the History of Guam (HI211) or related disciplines such as Culture and Education in Guam (ED265); Government and Politics of Guam (PS303); Introduction to Community Services on Guam (SW110).

 

MI–513 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY IN SOCIAL SCIENCES

SPRING ONLY/ALL YEARS

3 credit hours

Basic research design, sampling techniques, survey procedures, and systematic observation strategies are presented. A strong emphasis is placed on writing skills and the oral presentation of research findings. Prerequisite: Graduate Standing or Senior Level or Consent of Instructor.

 

MI–514 HEALTH AND HUMAN ADAPTATION IN

SPRING ONLY/ODD YEARS

3 credit hours

Primarily rooted in medical anthropology, this course uses a multidisciplinary approach to look at the status of health and human adaptation in Micronesia. By using specific examples of disease patterns, adaptation is looked at as an evolutionary process as well as synchronically. Strong emphasis is placed on the changing map of health and disease, generally in the Pacific and specifically in the Micronesian Islands. Along with medical anthropology, ideas and methods from related fields such as medical geography and epidemiology have also been incorporated into course materials. Following a broad overview of medical anthropology with introductions to its related fields, ideas and concepts central to health and adaptation will be presented, followed by case studies from Micronesia and the Pacific. Prerequisite: Graduate standing.

 

MI–517 CULTURAL ECOLOGY

FALL ONLY/ODD YEARS

3 credit hours

Cultural ecology looks at the relationship between humans and their biotic and physical environments. Using diachronic and comparative perspectives, this course will survey the cultural ecology of Micronesian islanders. Particular attention will be given to the following themes: history, theory, and methods of cultural ecology; comparison of different approaches to the study of cultural adaptation; adaptation in permissive and marginal environments; and culture change in spatial and temporal perspectives. The format emphasizes seminar discussions and student presentations, but will also include some lectures, slides, films and videos. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor, MI501, MI502, or MI503.

 

MI–518 RELIGION, MAGIC, AND MYTH IN MICRONESIA

AS REQUIRED/AS REQUIRED

3 credit hours

This course surveys the traditional religions of Micronesia, with an emphasis on myth and ritual. Analysis of select samples of traditional ritual and myth from primary sources. Critical analysis is emphasized. Prerequisite: One proseminar course or consent of instructor.

 

MI–520 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND CHANGE IN

FALL ONLY/ODD YEARS

3 credit hours

The seminar provides an overview of Micronesian economic systems past and present; focus is on the present as the new nations confront the need to develop market-based economies within a global context of diminishing resources and soaring populations.

 

MI–599A READINGS IN MICRONESIAN STUDIES

FALL/SPRING/ALL YEARS

3 credit hours

This course provides students an initial opportunity to explore, via a schedule of in-depth readings, a range of topics and issues in cultural ecology and resource management; human services and community health; social, political, and economic issues; and culture, history, language, and the arts. Prerequisite: MI501, 502, 503 and consent of instructor.

 

MI–599B READINGS IN MICRONESIAN STUDIES

FALL/SPRING/ALL YEARS

3 credit hours

This course provides students an initial opportunity to explore, via a schedule of in-depth readings, a range of topics and issues in cultural ecology and resource management; human services and community health; social, political, and economic issues; and culture, history, language, and the arts. Prerequisite: MI501, 502, 503 and consent of instructor.

 

MI–599C READINGS IN MICRONESIAN STUDIES

FALL/SPRING/ALL YEARS

3 credit hours

This course provides students an initial opportunity to explore, via a schedule of in-depth readings, a range of topics and issues in cultural ecology and resource management; human services and community health; social, political, and economic issues; and culture, history, language, and the arts. Prerequisite: MI501, 502, 503 and consent of instructor.

 

MI–599D READINGS IN MICRONESIAN STUDIES

FALL/SPRING/ALL YEARS

3 credit hours

This course provides students an initial opportunity to explore, via a schedule of in-depth readings, a range of topics and issues in cultural ecology and resource management; human services and community health; social, political, and economic issues; and culture, history, language, and the arts. Prerequisite: MI501, 502, 503 and consent of instructor.

 

MI–691A SEMINAR IN MICRONESIAN STUDIES

FALL/SPRING/ALL YEARS

1 - 3 credit hours

This course provides students an opportunity to pursue in-depth reading and individualized or small group research projects on selected topics in cultural ecology and resource management; human services and community health; social, political, and economic issues; and culture, history, language, and the arts. Prerequisite: MI501, 502, 503, 599.

 

MI–691B SEMINAR IN MICRONESIAN STUDIES

FALL/SPRING/ALL YEARS

1 - 3 credit hours

This course provides students an opportunity to pursue in-depth reading and individualized or small group research projects on selected topics in cultural ecology and resource management; human services and community health; social, political, and economic issues; and culture, history, language, and the arts. Prerequisite: MI501, 502, 503, 599.

 

MI–691C SEMINAR IN MICRONESIAN STUDIES

FALL/SPRING/ALL YEARS

1 - 3 credit hours

This course provides students an opportunity to pursue in-depth reading and individualized or small group research projects on selected topics in cultural ecology and resource management; human services and community health; social, political, and economic issues; and culture, history, language, and the arts. Prerequisite: MI501, 502, 503, 599.

 

MI–691D SEMINAR IN MICRONESIAN STUDIES

FALL/SPRING/ALL YEARS

1 - 3 credit hours

This course provides students an opportunity to pursue in-depth reading and individualized or small group research projects on selected topics in cultural ecology and resource management; human services and community health; social, political, and economic issues; and culture, history, language, and the arts. Prerequisite: MI501, 502, 503, 599.

 

MI–695 THESIS

FALL/SPRING/ALL YEARS

1 - 3 credit hours

Prerequisite: Consent of Instructor, completed Form A and successful completion of Comprehensive Examination.