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SS-125 Geography of the Pacific

Course Description:  This course introduces students to the field of geography but focused mainly on Pacific Island countries.  In encompasses a broader island geographical aspect that include: physical geography, culture and environment study (human geography), political geography, economics, education, gender and other related geographic concepts in the Pacific.

  • This course also meets PLO #(s) 4.1 of General Education program.
  • Prerequisite Courses: EN 110
A. PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES (PLOs):

The student should be able to:

  1. Demonstrate the ability to read, speak and write critically and effectively in English about Micronesian Studies Program course content.
  2. Demonstrate proficiency in the geographical, historical, and cultural literacy of the Micronesian region.
  3. Demonstrate proficient knowledge of the structure and functions of the government and social, political, and economic issues concerning the Micronesian Studies course content.
  4. Demonstrate the ability to perform research and write papers relevant to Micronesia using different methods and technologies.
  5. Demonstrate an appreciation of the requirements of good citizenship in the FSM.
B. STUDENT  LEARNING OUTCOMES (SLOs) – GENERAL:

The student should be able to:

  1. Demonstrate knowledge to locate, name and describe the general political and economic status of all the Pacific Island countries in the region
  2. Describe the physical geography of the Pacific islands within the tropics.
  3. Describe the terrestrial and aquatic biota of the Pacific Island countries.
  4. Demonstrate the ability to describe the historical epoch in the Pacific.
  5. Demonstrate knowledge to describe the socio-cultural issues and challenges among the Pacific Islanders.
  6. Describe the general economic features of the island’s economies with particular emphasis on agriculture and forestry, ocean resources, tourism, and communications.


SLO

PLO1

PLO2

PLO3

PLO4

PLO5

1

ID

D

I

ID

D

2

ID

D

I

I

D

3

ID

ID

I

I

I

4

ID

D

I

D

I

5

I

D

I

I D

I

6

I

ID

I

I

I

I = Introduced
D = Demonstrated
M = Mastered

C. STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES (SLOs) - SPECIFIC:

The student should be able to:
General SLO 1.  Demonstrate knowledge to locate, name and describe the general political and economic status of all the 22 Pacific Island countries in the region.

Student Learning Outcomes

Assessment Strategies
1.1 Locate and name the 22 Island countries in the Pacific.

 

Map Test

1.2 Describe the 22 island countries’ political and economic status.

 

 Tests (scored with rubric)

General SLO 2. Describe the physical geography of the Pacific islands within the tropics.


Student Learning Outcomes

Assessment Strategies

2.1 Describe the climate, weather, and oceanography  of the Pacific Islands

In class- group work discussion (scored with rubric)
2.2 Describe the geology and geomorphology of the Pacific island region.

 

Test (scored with rubric)

General SLO 3. Describe the terrestrial and aquatic biota of the Pacific Island countries.


Student Learning Outcomes

Assessment Strategies
3.1 Demonstrate the ability to describe the speciation process and be able to distinguish the biota of volcanic islands, makatea and atolls.

 

Homework assignment

3.2 Describe the terrestrial ecosystems of the volcanic islands, makatea and atolls.

 

In class group work (scored with rubric)
3.3 Describe the different aquatic ecosystems of the Pacific islands.

 

Test (scored with rubric)

General SLO 4.  Demonstrate the ability to describe the historical epoch in the Pacific.


Student Learning Outcomes

Assessment Strategies
4.1 Demonstrate knowledge of the pre-contact period in the Pacific and describe the origin and direction of settlement, subsistence strategies, sociopolitical evolution, demography and human impact on their ecosystems.

 

 Homework assignment and/or in class group discussion 9scored with rubric)
4.2 Demonstrate knowledge of the post-contact period beginning with: Early interaction with Euro-Americans and Asians (explorers, traders, missionaries, and capitalists), resistance to colonialism and challenges to decolonization and statehood, self-government and overseas territories.

 

Assignment and/or test (scored with rubric)

General SLO 5.  Demonstrate knowledge to describe the socio-cultural issues and challenges among the Pacific Islanders.


Student Learning Outcomes

Assessment Strategies
5.1 Demonstrate the ability to identify changes on the islanders’ social relations with emphasis on family, social status, law and order, land tenure, and art.

 

Written assignment and/or
class discussion (scored with rubric)
5.2 Describe the changes to islands’ demography, health, education, mobility, and gender equity.

 

Homework , test and/or written assignment scored with rubric)

General SLO 6.  Describe the general economic features of the island’s economies with particular emphasis on agriculture and forestry, ocean resources, tourism, and communications.


Student Learning Outcome

Assessment Strategies

6.1 Describe the general economic feature of the island states economies (MIRAB).

In class group discussion/homework/test (scored with rubric)

6.2 Describe the current status and developmental constraints of expanding the agriculture and forestry sector.

Written assignment and/or class group discussion (scored with rubric)

6.3 Describe the status and developmental impediments of developing the islands oceanic resources.

Group  class work/discussion 9scored with rubric)

 

6.4 Describe the growth and development challenge facing the tourism sector and the communication sector.

Written assignment and/or test (scored with rubric).

D.  COURSE CONTENT

  1. Introduction to Pacific Island Countries locations and basic political and economic features
  2. Physical Geography of the Pacific Islands
  3. Historical Accounts
  4. Socio-Cultural changes
  5. Development and Challenges

E. Method of Instruction
Lecture, discussions, Group research, scaffolding & coaching sessions

F. Required Textbook/Materials
Moshe, Rapaport.  The Pacific Islands: Environment & Society  1999, The Bess Press, Inc. (or most recent edition)

G. Reference Materials
Alkire, W.  The Peoples and Cultures of Micronesia, 1977, 2nd Edition, Cummings Publishing Company (or most recent edition).
Dunford, B. & Ridgell R., Pacific Neighbnors : The Islands of Micronesia, Melanesia, and Polynesia, 2006, Bess Press (or most recent edition).
Hezel, Francis , The First Taint of Civilization.  1983, The University of Hawaii Press (or most recent edition).
Hezel, F.  Strangers in their Own Land,  1995, The University of Hawaii Press (or most recent edition).
Nunn, D. Patrick. Oceanic Islands, 1994, Blackwell  Publisher (or most recent edition).
Ridgell, R.  Pacific Nations and Territories, 2006 4th Edition, Bess Press (or most recent edition).

H. Instructional Cost
None

I.  Evaluation
None

J. Credit by examination
None

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