SS-205 Micronesian Government

Course Description: 
This course offers an introductory study of governments and politics of the Micronesian states. It covers the US Territory of Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic the Marshall Islands, the Republic of Palau, the Republic of Kiribati, and the Republic of Nauru.

• Prerequisite Courses:   SS101 and SS150

A.  PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES (PLOs)

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. Demonstrate knowledge of the presidential-parliamentary system of government in the Micronesian region.
2. Demonstrate knowledge of the formation of the national, state, and local governments in the different island states in the Micronesian region.
3. Explain the western concepts, the vocabularies, and terminologies woven into the three levels of government constitutions.
4. Discuss the history of modern political development in the Micronesian region.
5. Explain the traditional political organizations of the islands in the Micronesian region.

SLO	PLO1	PLO2	PLO3	PLO4	PLO5
1	D	D	M	D	D
2	D	D	M	D	D
3	D	D	M	D	D
4	D	D	M	D	D
5	D	D	M	D	D

I = Introduced
D = Demonstrated
M = Mastered

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

General SLO 1: Demonstrate knowledge of the presidential-parliamentary system of government in the Micronesian region.

Student Learning Outcomes	Assessment Strategies
1.1 Explain the difference between parliamentary and presidential form governments within the Micronesian region.	Test and/or written assignment scored with rubric
1.2 Discuss the main features of the parliamentary form of governments in the Micronesian region such as Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) and Nauru.
1.3 Identify the main features of the presidential form of governments in the Micronesian region such as Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) and Republic of Palau (ROP).
1.4 Explain by comparing and contrasting the system of government in the Federated States of Micronesia to the ones in the other two freely associated states, namely Marshall Islands and Palau.

General SLO2: Demonstrate knowledge of the formation of the national, state, and local governments in the different island states in the Micronesian region.

Student Learning Outcomes	Assessment Strategies
2.1 Critically discuss the formation of the different levels of government systems in the islands of Micronesia.	Written assignment with oral presentation scored with rubric and/or test.
2.2 Differentiate the federal system of government in the Federated States of Micronesia from other forms of federal systems in the Micronesian region.
2.3 Write a critical essay on the rationale for adopting a federal system of government in the Federated States of Micronesia
2.4 Explain how the concepts of separation of powers and check and balance work at the state and national levels of government in the Federated States of Micronesia.

General SLO3: Explain the western concepts, the vocabularies, and terminologies woven into
the three levels of government constitutions.

Student Learning Outcomes	Assessment Strategies
3.1 Discuss the similarities and differences between the different constitutions of the Micronesian island nations.	Written assignment scored with rubric and/or test.
3.2 Define “sovereign state” as indicated in the islands’ constitution.
3.3 Define “citizenship” according to the islands’ constitution.
3.4 List, define and explain the basic roles of citizens and other crucial political infrastructures such as the interest groups, political parties, and other non-governmental organizations.
3.5 Explain the electoral systems of the different Micronesian islands according to their constitutions.

General SLO4: Discuss the history of modern political development in the Micronesian region.

Student Learning Outcomes	Assessment Strategies
4.1 Differentiate colonialism from neocolonialism.	Written assignment scored with rubric and/or test.
4.2 Explain how colonization influenced the political processes in the contemporary Micronesian entities.
4.3 Discuss events leading to the process of decolonization in Micronesia.
4.4 Discuss the CNMI, the FSM, the RMI, and the ROP as the successor entities to the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands.
4.5. Explain the political status of each of the entities in the Micronesian region during post colonization period.
4.6 Discuss the positive and the negative impact of the Compact of Free Association in regard to economics and politics in the Freely Associated States.

General SLO5: Explain the traditional political organizations of the islands in the Micronesian region.

Student Learning Outcomes	Assessment Strategies
5.1 Explain impact of tradition on Micronesian politics.	Written essay assignment and formatted research paper scored with rubric and/or test.
5.2 Explain the formal roles assigned to the traditional leaders at the national level of governments in the RMI and the ROP.
5.3 Explain how the national constitution defines a role for the traditional leaders in modern governance in the Federated States of Micronesia.
5.4 Discuss women’s authority in traditional Micronesian societies.
5.5 Explain the role of women in modern politics vis-à-vis their roles in traditional societies.

D.COURSE CONTENT

1. Purpose and roles of government and politics in society
   
2. Traditional political structure and authority in Micronesia
   
3. Government and politics in three Freely Associated States;
   
4. Government and politics in the US Territory of Guam and the US Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands;
   
5. Government and politics in the Republics of Nauru and Kiribati;
   
6. Formal and informal roles of traditional leaders in contemporary governance;
   
7. Custom/tradition and women in politics   

E.  METHODS OF INSTRUCTION
This course will utilize several modes of teaching such as lecture, class discussion, viewing of videos and guest lecturers.

F.  REQUIRIED TEXT(S) AND COURSE MATERIALS

1. Meller, N. (1985) Constitutionalism in Micronesia (pp.192-286). Hawaii: The Institute for Polynesian Studies, (Chapters 1-5).

Articles:

1. Haglelgam, John R. (2005, May), Role of Traditional Leaders in Modern Governance in Micronesia. Paper presented at the UN Conference on Traditional Governance in the Pacific, Apia, Samoa.

2. Haglelgam, John R. (2009 July) Federalism in Micronesia. Paper presented at the Conference on Federalism, Manila, Philippines.

3. Government of Federated States of Micronesia (FSM National Government Website, 1996. Retrieved July 16, 2011 from http://www.fsmgove.org)

4. Government: Republic of Marshall Islands (Government Website, 2010. Retrieved July 28, 2011from www.rmigovernment.org)

5. Government of the Republic of Palau (Government Website, 2008. Retrieved July 6, 2011from http://www.palaugov.net)

6. Government of the Republic of Kiribati: A Mixed Presidential-Parliamentary (Government Website, 2011. Retrieved August 10, 2011 from http://www.parliament.gov.ki)

7. Republic of Nauru and its Government (Government Website, 2008. Retrieved July 10, 2011from http://www.naurugov.nr)

8. History of the US Territory of Guam (Government Website, 2010. Retrieved August 10, 2011from http:// www.guam.gov/)

9. Government of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (Government Website, 2010. Retrieved July 8, 2011from http://www.cnmileg.gov.mp/)

G.  REFERENCE MATERIALS
None

H.  INSTRUCTIONAL COSTS
None

I. EVALUATION
None