IDST/VASA 45: Pacific Islanders in the U.S.

Interdisciplinary Studies (IDST/VASA)  45: Pacific Islanders in the United States

Course Information

Course Description:

This course examines from a comparative perspective the historical and contemporary configurations of Pacific Islander/Pacific Islander Americans in the United States in order to critically understand their colonial and postcolonial histories, their immigration and settlement patterns, their practices of identity constructions, as well as their interactions with each other and with other groups.

While considering that Pacific Islander/Pacific Islander Americans have multiple, diverse, and complex histories and cultures, this course will also explore larger themes regarding American imperialism, U.S.-Pacific/Oceanic colonial relations, capitalism, immigration, racialization, ethnic group formation in the U.S., global diaspora, “Pacific Islander merican critique,” and political/cultural notions of ethnicity in general. Such an investigation will draw on theoretical, historical, social science, and literary sources within ethnographic frameworks.

It will also encompass discussions of “community,” “politics,” and “identity” from the perspectives of the course materials, community members, the students attending the class, and the sites within and beyond those occupied by Pacific Islander/Pacific Islander Americans. To further our understanding of these areas, we will also take a look at several films and readings to understand how authors, poets, filmmakers address/redress history and represent/misrepresent Pacific Islander Americans.

It offers multiple perspectives of (1) how 'race' and ethnicity have defined the experiences of all people in the U.S. and (2) how this has ultimately served to develop a social hierarchy that shapes all categories of social status and relationships (class, gender, sexuality, religion/spirituality, dis/ability, family structure, education, age/generation, citizenship/immigration status, and other relationships). We will also examine intergroup (e.g. Native Hawaiian, Samoan American, Tongan, Native American, Chamorro, Fijian, Maori, Tahitian, Melanesia, Micronesia, Polynesian, etc.) and intra-group challenges within today's ethnic communities.

Important Dates

 FALL 2025

Dr. Palaita is not teaching this course in Fall 2025.

Please email the instructor if you'd like a copy of the syllabus for this course.  The syllabus will also be available on the first day of the class via CANVAS.