HIST 235
Special Topic: Telling NZ-Pacific Lives
We examine the history of New Zealand's relations with the Pacific islands from the 1890s to the 1990s through the life histories of Pacific peoples in Aotearoa and NZers in the Pacific (e.g., travellers, traders, "chiefs", missionaries, students, performers, workers, administrators, politicians, soldiers, families, activists, subalterns, etc.). In so doing we explore how the study of life histories in written, visual and oral forms allows us to reflect on, illuminate and/or challenge perspectives on Aotearoa's place in, and relations with, the Pacific islands. The course will both examine lives that have been recorded and provide the opportunity to research others.
About this course
This course is delivered primarily on campus, but can be completed online if necessary. See under Teaching Format for more detail. A detailed course guide (course syllabus) will be distributed to students in the first week of class and will be available on Nuku. If you intend to attend mostly on campus, please enrol in the offering CRN 10182.
Course learning objectives
Students who pass this course should be able to:
1. Recognise and critically analyse different kinds of life histories relevant to the NZPacific region.
2. Relate accounts of lives lived in the NZ-Pacific to key themes and debates in the history of NZ's relations with the Pacific islands region.
3. Conduct primary and secondary source research into a life history relevant to the course themes.
How this course is taught
Each week there are two 3-hour lectorials. The detailed course schedule will set out how these 12 blocks are organised. In general, each block will include a 50 min lecture followed by interactive discussions, documentary screenings or source-based activities.
HIST 235 is designed as a face-to-face course but can be completed online/by distance. All "lecture" components will be recorded and available for viewing from the class Nuku site. Some lectures may be pre-recorded and made available in advance to facilitate visits, activities or guest speakers. For those unavailable to participate "in person" seminar worksheets are available and an optional online tutorial will be held weekly at a fixed time on Zoom to review course content.
Assessment
6 weekly response tasks
Type: Individual Mark: 30%
a "biographical" review essay
Type: Individual Mark: 30%
Research essay
Type: Individual Mark: 40%