Critical Pacific Islands and Oceania Studies
Minor
About this program
The Minor in Critical Pacific Islands and Oceania Studies (CPIOS) explores the histories, cultures and experiences of Oceanic communities. Students examine issues like colonialism, militarism and globalization through Indigenous perspectives. The program highlights the strength and resilience of Pacific peoples, both in the Bay Area and globally. Using the work of Pacific scholars, students connect Oceanic stories to Indigenous and diasporic communities. This program prepares students to support and collaborate with Oceanic communities in meaningful ways.
Program Curriculum and Requirements
Program Scope
Critical Pacific Islands and Oceania Studies at SFSU was built on the legacy of the TWLF and College of Ethnic Studies as students, faculty and community advocated for academic spaces that honored Pacific peoples, culture, history and knowledge.
The program ensures that academic and communal spaces reflect the work and needs of Oceanic communities in the bay area and globally. Our educational mission is to honor Oceanic peoples, experiences, and stories throughout the diaspora - and to privilege narratives that are often forgotten and placed in the margins. Significant parts of our interdisciplinary studies program are focused on historical and contemporary topics in relation to California, US-Pacific politics, and Pacific peoples and cultures. Courses utilize indigenous epistemologies to center the resiliency and power of our Ocean through the analysis of imperialism, colonialism, militarism, and globalization. Drawing from the work of Pacific Scholars including Teresia Teaiwa, Epeli Hau’ofa and many others, the past and present work of Pacific peoples is used as a compass to guide the work and local field forward.
The program aims to prepare students of all backgrounds to work in, support, service, and collaborate with Oceanic communities. Most importantly, it intends to further highlight the connections of Oceanic stories to Indigenous peoples and diasporic communities everywhere while also sharing the unique and diverse experiences of Oceania.
Program Learning Outcomes
- Evaluate the methods of inquiry and analysis used by the social and behavioral sciences in the study of racial, ethnic, and cultural formation.
- Apply indigenous epistemologies to understand the contemporary and historical narratives of Pacific Islander communities.
- Develop strategies to improve health, wellness, and life-long learning specific to Pacific Islander communities.
- Create networks and partnerships that apply theories of social change, history, and contemporary practices to grassroots social justice work in Pacific Islander communities.
- Build media content literacy that expands knowledge of ethnographic representations of Pacific Islanders.