Polynesian Culture and Society
This course is based at the Atitia Community Center adjacent to the Gump Station and on Tetiaroa. Students will learn about the history of the peopling of Oceania, and the waves of exploration and interaction that have shaped the Pacific. Students will be immersed into the way in which the first peoples of these islands understand and interact with their island homes, from a traditional to modern perspective, and with insights on human-environment interactions. Students will be presented with necessary historical and cultural context including basic language training, archeological field trips and interactions with local youth and elders at the Atitia Center and beyond to learn about local customs, traditions and attitude.
Topics
- 1. To experience Polynesian atoll culture. 2. To provide in immersion in life of first peoples from a traditional to modern perspective, and with insights on human-environment interactions. 3. To present necessary historical and cultural context including basic language training, archeological field trips and interactions with local youth and elders at the Atitia Center and beyond to learn about local customs, traditions and attitude.
- 1. Students will gain an understanding of Oceania as a whole and Tahiti’s place within it. 2. Students will be able to interpret basic languages and legends of Polynesian culture. 3. Students will be able to compare atoll and island culture from both traditional and modern perspectives. 4. Students will be able to articulate challenges to sustainability for island cultures. 5. Students will gain an appreciation of traditional ecological knowledge and how it shapes Tahitian culture.
Official catalogue course objectives and student learning outcomes
Prerequisites & course information
{'preRequisiteCourse': '1594141', 'concurrentPrerequisit': False}; {'preRequisiteCourse': '1594241', 'concurrentPrerequisit': False}; {'preRequisiteCourse': '1594131', 'concurrentPrerequisit': False}; {'preRequisiteCourse': '1594261', 'concurrentPrerequisit': False}; {'preRequisiteCourse': '1595141', 'concurrentPrerequisit': False}
Sources
- Course catalogue ↗2026-2027