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SS-220 Contemporary Issues in Micronesia

Course description: This course examines the major political, social, economic and cultural issues facing Micronesian societies today.

  • This course also meets PLO #(s) 3 of Liberal Arts program.
  • Prerequisite Courses: SS150        

A.  PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES (PLOs): 
The student will 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 will be able to:

  1. Have basic understanding of the Micronesian islands and societies and the issues in which they are facing today.
  2. Demonstrate understanding of the effects of colonialism, the process of decolonialization, and present political and social status of the Micronesian islands.
  3. Know the prospects and problems of economic development in the Micronesian islands.
  4. Demonstrate understanding of the population, environment, education, public health, political, and traditional issues faced by the Micronesian islands today.

SLO

PLO1

PLO2

PLO3

PLO4

PLO5

1

D

D

D

D

D

2

D

M

M

D

D

3

D

D

M

D

D

4

D

M

M

D

D

I = Introduced
D = Demonstrated
M = Mastered

C.  STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES (SLOs)-SPECIFIC: 
The student will be able to: 

General SLO 1. Have basic understanding of the Micronesian islands and societies and the issues in which they are facing today.


Student Learning Outcomes

Assessment Strategies

1.1 List and describe the major islands of the Micronesian Islands.

Map activity, writing activity scored with rubric.

1.2 Identify and discuss general issues shared by the different islands in the Micronesian region.

Writing assignment scored with rubric and/or quiz.

1.3 Define traditional society in FSM by examining traditional practices throughout the Micronesian region.

Writing assignment scored with rubric and/or essay in test scored with rubric.

1.4 Explain how traditional societies in Micronesia differ from modern day Micronesia.

Comparative essay scored with rubric.

General SLO 2. Demonstrate understanding of the effects of colonialism, the process of decolonialization, and present political and social status of the Micronesian islands.


Student Learning Outcomes

Assessment Strategies

2.1 Define colonialism and discuss the different colonial era in Micronesia, specifically the FSM.

Writing activity scored with rubric and/or quiz.

2.2 Write a critical paper on the influence of colonialism on the islands’ social, political and cultural practices.

Critical paper scored with rubric.

2.3 Define decolonialism and discuss events leading to the process of decolonialization in Micronesia.

Essay scored with rubric.

2.4 Write an essay on the Compact of Free Association and its role of decolonialization in Micronesia.

Essay scored with rubric.

2.5 Critically discuss the 1986 Compact of Free Association and its implication to the current Compact of Free Association Agreement.

Class debate scored with rubric.

General SLO 3. Know the prospects and problems for economic development in the Micronesian islands.           


Student Learning Outcome

Assessment Strategies

3.1 Differentiate individualist from communalism.

Quiz.

3.2 Define traditional leaders in Micronesia and their roles in the islands’ economic development.

Writing activity scored with rubric and/or quiz.

3.3 List and discuss the influence of the Compact of Free Association I and II to economic development in the Freely Associated States (Palau, FSM and Marshall Islands).

Writing assignment scored with rubric and/or essay in exam scored with rubric.

3.4 Discuss the economic potentials and constraints of the islands.

Class debate scored with rubric.

3.5 Write a critical essay on how modernity and rapid economic development have influence the social, political and cultural change in the islands.

Critical paper scored with rubric.

General SLO 4. Demonstrate understanding of the population, environment, education, public health, political, and traditional issues faced by the Micronesian islands today.


Student Learning Outcome

Assessment Strategies

4.1 Analyze and discuss demographic factors such as fertility, mortality, and migration, and their impact on Micronesian islands, especially the FSM.

Classroom group work scored with rubric and/or quiz.

4.2 Discuss by comparing and contrasting population trends in the Micronesian region with the population of FSM.

Compare and contrast essay scored with rubric.

4.3 Discuss the impact and prevention of pollution on high and low islands such as the ones in the Micronesian region. 

Group discussion scored with rubric and/or essay question on test scored with rubric.

4.4 Differentiate traditional education in Micronesia from the Western education system.

Writing activity scored with rubric and/or quiz.

4.5 Write an essay on how Western education has influence the social, political, and cultural beliefs in the islands.

Essay scored with rubric.

4.6 Discuss the status and conditions of the health system in the FSM.

Group discussion scored with rubric and/or essay question on test scored with rubric.

4.7 Discuss by comparing and contrasting traditional Micronesian gender roles with the modern day Micronesian gender roles.

Compare and contrast essay scored with rubric.

4.8 Write a critical essay on how modernity has influence Micronesian gender roles and how this has in turn influence the contemporary societies in Micronesia.

Critical paper scored with rubric.

D.   COURSE CONTENT

  1. Traditional Societies in the Micronesian region
  2. Impact of modernization on Micronesian traditions
  3. Pre and post-colonialism in Micronesia
  4. Modern politics, government and the Compact of Free Association
  5. Economic Development and its impact on the islands' environment
  6. Leadership and its influence on contemporary issues
  7. Population growth and its implication to the contemporary issues in Micronesia
  8. Western education vs. Traditional Micronesian educational system
  9. Health issues in Micronesia
  10. Gender roles and gender issues in Micronesia

E.  METHODS OF INSTRUCTION
Text reading, lectures/discussions, project-based learning and peer group work, brainstorming, cooperative learning, demonstrations and simulations, and seatwork assignments. 

F.  REQURIED TEXT(S) AND COURSE MATERIALS
Hezel, S. J. (2001). The new shape of old island cultures: A half-century of social change in Micronesia. Honolulu, HI: University of Hawaii Press. (or most recent edition).

G.  REFERENCE MATERIALS
None

H.  INSTRUCTIONAL COSTS
None

I.   EVALUATION
None

J.   CREDIT BY EXAMINATION
None

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