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Administration

General Information

Advising

Undergraduate Programs

Graduate Programs

Instructional and Research Facilities and Programs

Center for Chinese Studies

Kamakakuokalani Center for Hawaiian Studies

Center for Japanese Studies

Center for Korean Studies

Center for Pacific Islands Studies

Center for Philippine Studies

Center for South Asian Studies

Center for Southeast Asian Studies

Committee for the Preservation and Study of Hawaiian Language, Art and Culture

Asian Studies

Hawaiian Studies

Pacific Islands Studies

Pacific Islands Studies

Moore 215
1890 East-West Road
Honolulu, HI 96822
Tel: (808) 956-7700
Fax: (808) 956-7053
Web: www.hawaii.edu/cpis/

Faculty

*Graduate Faculty

*D. L. Hanlon, PhD (Chair)—history
*A. Arno, PhD—anthropology
J. Barnwell, MSL—Pacific collections
*W. Chapman, PhD—American studies
*D. Chappell, PhD—history
L. G. Eldredge, PhD—marine zoology
L. Furuhashi, MLS—Pacific collections
J. Goss, PhD—political science
*M. W. Graves, PhD—anthropology
*M. Hamnett, PhD—anthropology
*V. Hereniko, PhD—literature
L. Hickson, PhD—Pacific Islands studies
*T. L. Hunt, PhD—anthropology
N. Losch, MA—Hawaiian language
*M. Maaka, PhD—education
*J. Mak, PhD—economics
*J. F. Mayer, MA—Indo-Pacific languages
*W. C. McClatchey, PhD—botany
D. McGregor, PhD—ethnic studies
*J. Moulin, PhD—music
*Y. Otsuka, PhD—linguistics
*K. M. Peacock, PhD—Pacific Collection curator
*A. B. Robillard, PhD—social science and political economics of health services development in Oceania
*B. V. Rolett, PhD—anthropology
*C. Sinavaiana, PhD—English
R. Sullivan, BA—English
*K. Teaiwa, PhD—anthropology
*H. Trask, PhD—Hawaiian studies
*F. Untalan, DSW—public health
*D. Waite, PhD—art
*J. Ward, PhD—Indo-Pacific languages
*T. A. Wesley-Smith, PhD—political science
*H. Young Leslie, PhD—anthropology

Cooperating Graduate Faculty

*L. K. Kame‘eleihiwa, PhD—Hawaiian studies
*J. K. Osorio, PhD—Hawaiian studies
*J. Van Dyke, JD—law
*G. T. Young, PhD—Hawaiian studies

Affiliate Graduate Faculty

*N. D. Lewis, PhD—geography
*G. M. White, PhD—anthropology

Degrees and Certificate Offered: BA in interdisciplinary studies (Pacific Islands studies), MA in Pacific Islands studies, Certificate in Pacific Islands studies

The Academic Program

Pacific Islands Studies at UH Manoa is an innovative, interdisciplinary program committed to the production and dissemination of a wide range of knowledge about Oceania. The program focuses on the island societies of this vast region, and the dynamic cultural, social, and political interactions that link them to each other as well as to the rest of the world. It seeks to understand the many worlds of Oceania through multiple conceptual lenses, drawn selectively from a range of academic disciplines and from the knowledge systems of the region itself. Pacific Islands Studies promotes active, student-centered approaches to learning and encourages creativity in research and representation of island issues.

With a core and affiliate faculty of about 40 members, and access to one of the finest collections of Pacific materials in the world, the Pacific Islands studies program offers interdisciplinary programs of study leading to the MA in Pacific Islands Studies and the Certificate in Pacific Islands Studies. A “major equivalent” in Pacific Islands studies is available through the BA program in Interdisciplinary Studies.

Undergraduate Study

Bachelor’s Degree

Students interested in a “major equivalent” in Pacific Islands studies can develop an integrated course of study through UH Manoa’s Interdisciplinary Studies program with advice from faculty in the Center for Pacific Islands Studies. Prospective candidates should seek further information from the Interdisciplinary Studies program before approaching Center faculty.

Graduate Study

Master’s Degree

The MA in Pacific Islands studies is intended for students of the region wishing to transcend established disciplinary boundaries and explore innovative approaches to learning, research, and representation. It is the only program of its kind in the U.S. The MA program includes two options, thesis and MA portfolio. Students selecting the first option complete a scholarly research-based thesis on a Pacific-related topic. Normally this is the preferred option for those planning to enter a doctoral program in the humanities, social sciences, or interdisciplinary studies. Those opting for the MA portfolio demonstrate mastery of a specialty area within the field of Pacific Islands studies through an integrated program of activities including course work, research, and writing. Both options can include performance, multimedia, or creative writing components. Some recent graduates are pursuing doctoral or professional degrees in Australia, New Zealand, Europe, Hawai‘i and the U.S. mainland; others are employed in a wide variety of fields, including education, social work, publishing, as well as library and museum work.

Language Requirement

On entry, or before graduation, students are required to have a second-year level of competence in an indigenous language of the Pacific, or a pidgin/creole language such as Tok Pisin, Solomons Pijin, or Bislama. The language should be related to the student’s research interests. Competence in an administrative language of the Pacific such as Spanish, French, German, or Japanese may be used to satisfy the requirement, provided this is not the student’s first language, and there is a demonstrated connection with research activities. Language competence is demonstrated by successful completion of appropriate course work, or through an examination conducted by a suitably qualified individual.

Degree Requirements

All MA students are required to complete a minimum of 33 credits of course work, which must include three core seminars, PACS 601 Learning Oceania, PACS 602 Re/Presenting Oceania, and PACS 603 Researching Oceania. The core seminars introduce students to key issues of learning and research in the field of Pacific Studies. The seminars are taught in sequence, with PACS 601 and PACS 602 offered in the fall, and PACS 603 in the spring. In addition, students take at least two focus courses (6 credits) directly related to their research or specialty interests. A list of preferred Pacific-related courses offered across the campus serves as a guide in the selection of other courses that will count toward the degree. Courses are selected in consultation with a faculty advisor to form an integrated program of study that strengthens a student’s general knowledge of the region, as well as providing a particular concentration of interests. Students in both the thesis and MA portfolio plans choose a three-person faculty committee to supervise their work, and to evaluate the final product or products. The MA committee must review and approve a comprehensive thesis or portfolio proposal (usually produced as part of the requirements for PACS 603) before the student embarks on the MA thesis or on major components of the portfolio.

All students must pass the MA Written Examination, which provides an opportunity to demonstrate understanding of significant issues in the field of Pacific Studies, as well as general knowledge of the region as a whole. Students normally sit the examination at the end of the third semester in the MA program. Successful performance on the examination advances the student to candidacy. A student failing the examination may take it one more time. A second failure results in the student being dropped from the program.

Thesis Requirements

Students selecting the thesis option complete 6 credits of focus course work directly relevant to their research interests, and produce a scholarly, research based thesis on a Pacific-related topic. The thesis should demonstrate an ability to conduct independent research and represent a significant contribution to this interdisciplinary field of study. It should address a significant question, issue, or theme, and include a thorough review of relevant written and other resources. Students are expected to cross established disciplinary boundaries and explore topics using multiple conceptual lenses. The thesis must include a substantial written component that is normally at least one hundred pages (or 30,000 words) in length. It can include performance, creative writing, or multimedia components in dialogue with the text to better communicate the scholarly work.

Students pursuing the thesis option satisfy credit requirements as follows:

• Core seminars (PACS 601, 602, 603) 09 credits
• Focus courses 06 credits
• Elective courses 09 credits
• Thesis credits (PACS 700) 09 credits
• Total 33 credits

At least 15 credit hours of this course work must be in courses numbered 600 and above (excluding PACS 700). Normally, only 3 credits of PACS 699 Directed Reading and Research can be used to satisfy the focus requirement.

MA Portfolio Requirements

Students selecting this option identify and explore a Pacific-related specialty area. Mastery of the specialized subject matter is demonstrated through an integrated program of study that includes 1) 6 credits of focus course work directly relevant to the specialty area; 2) an essay or research report of at least 25 pages in length (approximately 8,000 words) that explores a central aspect of the specialty area; and 3) a substantial performance, multimedia, artistic or written product directly related to the specialty area. This component of the portfolio will normally complement the essay or research report described above, and can be combined with it to form a single product of at least 50 pages in length (approximately 16,000 words).

Students pursuing the portfolio option satisfy credits requirements as follows:

• Core seminars (PACS 601, 602, 603) 09 credits
• Focus courses 06 credits
• Elective courses 12 credits
• MA projects (PACS 695) 06 credits
• Total 33 credits

At least 18 credit hours of course work must be in courses numbered 600 and above (excluding PACS 695). Normally, only 3 credits of PACS 699 Directed Reading and Research can be used to satisfy the focus requirement. Students earn 3 credits of PACS 695 Master’s Project for their work on the essay or research report, and a further 3 credits for the third component of the portfolio.

Performance, Creative Writing, Artwork and Multimedia Options

Innovative approaches to knowledge production are encouraged. MA projects (thesis or MA portfolio) must include a substantial analytical, text-based component, but can incorporate elements of performance (e.g. dance, theater), creative writing (e.g. fiction or poetry), artwork (eg painting, photography), or multimedia (e.g. video, audio, digital media). Students intending to include performance, creative writing, artwork or multimedia components must satisfy the MA committee that they have or will acquire the appropriate proficiencies. The issue of proficiency should be addressed in the project proposal with reference to relevant course work, academic background, or prior experience. Performances must be supervised by members of the MA committee, fully rehearsed, and videotaped for submission, along with the written component, to the center and/or Graduate Division.

MA Committees

All MA students form a three person committee to supervise their work and evaluate the thesis or MA portfolio products. Graduate Division requires that committee members be on the Graduate Faculty at UH-Manoa, although students can petition for exceptions to this rule. The chair and at least one other member should be members of the core or affiliate faculty of the Center for Pacific Islands Studies. Students normally form the committee towards the end of their first year in residence, or after they have prepared a comprehensive thesis or MA portfolio proposal.

Certificate Program

Certificate in Pacific Islands Studies

The Certificate in Pacific Islands Studies is designed for students who are pursuing advanced degrees in other areas and whose course of study includes a substantial component of Pacific-related courses and research. The objective of the certificate is to provide recognition of this expertise and to encourage further study of the Pacific region.

Students applying for the certificate must have previously been admitted to the Graduate Division in a field of study. Applications take the form of a letter to the Pacific Islands Studies Graduate Chair that outlines academic objectives, Pacific-related interests, and the proposed course of study in the primary field. Following a diagnostic interview, the certificate student is assigned a two-person advisory committee consisting of one member of the Pacific Islands studies faculty (as appointed by the Graduate Chair) and the student’s departmental advisor.

Requirements

A certificate student is required to have 18 credit hours in Pacific-related courses or 12 credit hours in Pacific-related courses and a Pacific-related thesis or dissertation. The courses must constitute a logically related program of study and are normally chosen from the list of preferred courses prepared by the Pacific Islands studies faculty. Certificate students must take at least one of the MA core courses (PACS 601, PACS 602, PACS 603), and sit the MA Written Examination. The certificate is awarded upon completion of the advanced degree in the primary field of study.

PACS Courses