COLLEGE OF MICRONESIA-FSM
National
Campus
Palikir,
Pohnpei
SS150
History of Micronesia
Spring
2002
___________________________________________________________________________
Office Location: Social Science Office in
the Faculty Building
Office Hour:
MWF: 10:00 11:55 am; 12:00 12:55 pm; 2:00 3:30 pm.
TuTh:
8:30 9:30 am; 12:00 1:00 pm.
Office Phone: 320-2480/2481/2482,
Extension 4510
E-Mail Address: johnh@comfsm.fm
Classroom:
Building B, Room 104
Class Days & Hour: MTuWTh 1: 30 2: 55
p.m.
__________________________________________________________________________
DESCRIPTION: This course is a survey
of historical events, peoples, and cultures of the Micronesian region of the
Pacific. This region includes four island groups, namely the Caroline Islands,
the Gilbert Islands, the Mariana Islands, and the Marshall Islands. Nauru is a
part of this region, but it is isolated from any other island groups.
The other aspect of this
class is history. What is history? Generally, history comprises of the study of
people and their deeds, places, historical events: past and present. Why do we
need to learn history? Lets look at two quotations that I think amplifies the
need to learn history.
Anyone who
closes his eyes to the past is blind to the present.
Richard von Weizsacker
The study of history is the best way and,
other than by bitter experience,
perhaps the only way to be inoculated
against the terrible simplifiers,
those people who lead nations into
trouble.
George
Will
INSTRUCTION: The primary mode of
instruction in this class is lecture, but movies will be shown and overhead
projector presentation will also be utilized to introduce material cultures as
well as other topics. The last ten minutes of each class is reserved for
question and answer. I should, however, encourage you to stop me during lecture
if you need clarification or you want to ask questions.
OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this course are (1) To
teach you about Micronesia and its historical and cultural relations to its
neighbors in the Pacific Basin; (2) To make you understand the formation and
pattern of settlement of the Micronesian Islands; (3) To make you aware of the
various cultures and the commonalities existed among them; (4) To make you
aware of the impact of beachcombers, traders, blackbirding, whalers, and the
missionaries on Micronesian cultures; and (5) To teach you the colonial history
of Micronesia, the process of de-colonization, and the current status.
PAPERS: You must complete two short papers, not
more than six double-space pages each on any topics in traditional Micronesian
societies. For instance, you can write about the importance of voyaging canoe
or select a traditional method of fishing. You are free to suggest any topic
that you are interested in. The first paper must be turned in before mid-term
exams and the second one is due in the last week of the semester. These papers
will comprise twenty percent (20%) of your total semester grade.
WEEKLY TOPICS AND READING ASSIGNMENTS
Week One Topics: (1) Introduction and Overview
(2)
Formation of the Micronesian Islands
(3) Settlement of the Micronesian
Islands
(4)
The Peoples and Cultures of Micronesia
(5) The
European Exploration
Readings:
(a) Class Handout
(b) Chapter One, First Taint of
Civilization
Weeks Two & Three
Topics: (1) Spanish
Colonization of the Mariana Islands
(2)
Catholic missionaries in the Carolines
(3)
British Merchants and their discoveries
(4)
The Early Traders and the Beachcombers
(5)
The Blackbirding & the Foreign Warships
(6)
The Scientific Expeditions
(7)
The Whalers
Reading:
(a) Chapters 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7, First Taint of Civilization
Weeks Four & Five
Topics: (1) The Protestant Missionaries
(2)
The Copra Traders
(3) The
German Annexation of the Marshalls
(b) Movie: His Majesty O Keefe
(4)
The Caroline Islands Controversy and its Settlement
(5)
The Spanish Colonization of the Caroline Islands
(6)
The Catholic Missionaries in the Caroline Islands
Reading:
(a) Chapters 8,9,10 & 11, First Taint of Civilization
(b) Chapters 1 & 2, Strangers in
Their Own Land
Week Six Topics: (1) The Spanish-American War and Its
Impact on Micronesia
(2)
The American Annexation of Guam
(3) German Purchase of the Northern
Marianas & the Carolines
(4) World War I & Its Impact on
Micronesia
(5) The Japanese Annexation of the Carolines, the Marshalls, and the Northern Mariana Islands
Reading:
Chapters 2,3, & 4, Strangers in Their Own Land
Week Seven Topics: (1)
The League of Nations Mandate and the Japanese Occupation
(2) The Japanese Bombing of Pearl Harbor and Its
Impact
(3) World War II in Micronesia
(4) The United Nations Trusteeship
(5) The American Occupation of Micronesia
Reading:
(a) Chapters 4,5, & 6, Strangers in Their Own Land
(b)
Movie: Invasion of Tarawa
(c) Movie:
Half Life
Week Eight Topics: (1)
The De-colonization Process
(1) The Compact of Free Association
(2) Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands
(3)
The Political Fragmentation of the TTPI
(4)The Successor Entities to the TTPI
Reading:
(a) Chapter 6, Strangers in Their Own Land
(b) Class Handout
(c) Movie: Compact Debate in US Congress
TEXTBOOKS: The two main textbooks for this class are
(1) The First Taint of Civilization, and (2) the Strangers in Their Own Land.
Both of these books can be purchased in the COM-FSM Bookstore. Copied materials
on specific topics will be distributed in class two days prior to class
discussion.
EVALUATION: There will be eight (4) short quizzes (one
every two weeks) and a comprehensive final examination. Grade will be based on
the COM-FSM grading system. Each student in this class must take all the
quizzes and the final as scheduled. If for any reason you cannot take the quiz
as scheduled, you must inform me twenty-four ahead of time. There is no such
thing as make-up QUIZ in this class.
Letter grades will be
assigned based on the following scales:
A+ =
95 - 100
A =
90 -- 94
B+ =
85 -- 89
B =
80 -- 84
C+ =
75 -- 79
C =
70 -- 74
D =
65 -- 69
F = 64
& Below
Your course grade will be
assigned based on the following:
5%
. Participation in class.
20%
.. Papers (two)
35%
.. Quizzes (average)
40%
.. Final Examination
REGULATIONS: You are required to
strictly observe the rule against eating and drinking in the classroom. In
addition, you are prohibited from chewing betel nut in areas outside of the
cultural huts.
ABSENTEEISM, TARDINESS, CONVERSATION DURING CLASS:
Four absences will get you a withdrawal from this class. If you reach four
absences after the deadline for withdrawal, you will be withdrawn with a grade
of F. I must alert you to the fact that the total missed classes (absences)
include UNEXCUSED AND EXCUSED ABSENCES, SUCH AS SICKNESS, FUNERALS, AND ANY
OTHERS.
You are required to come
to class on time every day. If you are late THREE times, I will count it as ONE
ABSENCE. In addition, I will not tolerate any conversation during class
session. Thus, if you persistently carried on conversation during two-class
days I will count it as ONE ABSENCE.
HOW TO STUDY FOR THIS
COURSE: (1) Warning or suggestion? You
can take this either as a warning or a suggestion. You must not allow yourself
to fall behind in your reading of the assigned reading materials. Dont play a
catch up game because you might get swamped and never able to recover.