HIST-166

"A Sea of Islands" is a methodological and metaphorical approach to foreground the vastness and interconnectedness of Oceania, its peoples, and their histories. This interdisciplinary class introduces diverse historical narratives that continue to shape Pacific Island societies and its peoples today. Centering Indigenous ways of knowing through their multiple modes of telling and recording histories-: oral histories, language, inscription, performance, and knowledge of the environment- highlights the distinguishing features of Pacific Island histories. The focus on historical method, a collection of techniques to research and write histories, is essential to the course's analysis of primary and secondary sources. It also speaks to the course's themes: Pacific exploration, environment, trans-indigenous and cross-cultural interactions, religion, technology, and labor. Students will read broadly about historical narratives to engage with interdisciplinary approaches that illustrate innovative, imaginative, and insightful perspectives. To this end, the class will not shy away from addressing vital contemporary concerns over Indigeneity, race, gender, colonialism, and the politics of doing history in the Pacific. May be elected as Indigeneity, Race, and Ethnicity Studies 166. Distribution areas: Cultural Pluralism, Social Sciences, Global Cultures and Languages, Studying the Past, Textual Analysis.

Academic Credit, Graded Standard, Academic Evaluate Course, DIST-SOCIAL SCIENCES, Textual Analysis, Global Cultures & Lang., Studying the Past, DIST-CULTURAL PLURALISM, Indigeneity, Race & Ethn., Cross-listed Course