Document Type
Syllabus
Publication Date
Fall 9-1-2024
Course Description
The notion of the Pacific Islands as "paradise" is a historic and pervasive fixture of stage, screen and tourist brochures. But when and how did the European construction of "paradise" and the representations that followed from it come about? More importantly, how have indigenous peoples of the Pacific Islands represented or “re-presented” Oceania in light of that legacy? HIST 344 analyzes the history of the Pacific Islands with a thematic emphasis on representation from the late 18th century to the present. During the semester you will engage and evaluate historiographic and epistemological debates which have shaped the study of Oceania as well as primary and secondary sources drawn from history, literature, anthropology, art and film. Sub-topics clustered around issues of imperialism and representations of the Pacific include: • The European construction of a Pacific “paradise”, as evident in art, literature, travel accounts, photography and film • The stereotyping of indigenous peoples from Micronesia, Melanesia, Polynesia • Theoretical and practical interpretations of imperialism and the impulses which sent European and American explorers/merchants/missionaries/colonizers to the Pacific as well as local constructions of meaning in colonial encounters • The ways in which Pacific Islanders have more recently “re-presented” themselves • Decolonization, national identities, neo-colonialism and the challenges facing post- colonial societies
Recommended Citation
Dewey, Robert, "HIST 344A Paradise Revisited Dewey Fall 2024" (2024). All Course Syllabi. 706, Scholarly and Creative Work from DePauw University.
https://scholarship.depauw.edu/records_syllabi/706
Student Outcomes
Students will be able to: Outcome: Problem solving skills - evaluate historical problems in relation to sources and synthesize historical literature Outcome: Writing and Oral Communication Skills - communicate complex historical analysis in written form with appropriate scholarly attribution and communicate effectively in class discussions and presentations. Outcome: Research skills - design and conduct historical research