Indigenous Pacifics

Catalog description

Examination of the histories, cultures, and contemporary experiences of Indigenous peoples across Oceania, coastal North America, and insular Southeast Asia. The class focuses on the connections these communities maintain with their ancestral homelands, particularly those tied to the Pacific Ocean, islands, and coastlines. Students will explore how Indigenous peoples navigate and assert their identities through complex intersections of colonization, class, identity, and ecological sustainability. Key themes include land, language, religion, and nationhood, drawing on diverse perspectives from anthropology, history, art, and activism.