Celebrating Connections: 60 Years of Pacific Studies

The following questions will guide our discussion at the conference. Participants are invited to get a head start on the discussion by posting their thoughts on these and other topics they feel are relevant. Happy blogging!

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION

SESSION 1—PROGRAM CONNECTIONS: BUILDING PACIFIC STUDIES

• What key goals guide program development in Pacific studies at your institution?

• What does (or could) your program gain by collaborating with other Pacific studies programs?

• How could resources be shared or communicated more productively among Pacific studies scholars and students across programs?

• On your campus, how accessible are Pacific-related activities and resources to Pacific Islander communities locally and elsewhere?

• What are the most critical concerns in your program, and how are they being addressed?

SESSION 2—COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS: OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES FOR PACIFIC STUDIES

• What can instructors and students learn from interacting with Pacific Islander communities?

• How can Pacific Islander communities benefit from interacting with students?

• What strategies have you found to be most effective in the recruitment and retention of Pacific Islander students?

SESSION 3—CLASSROOM CONNECTIONS: TEACHING, LEARNING, AND NEW

MEDIA IN PACIFIC STUDIES

• How can we best assess student learning, including participatory learning in the community?

• What teaching methods are especially effective with your undergraduate students?

• How can we use technology, social networking, and other new media to best advantage in our classrooms?

SESSION 4—ALUMNI CONNECTIONS: EMPLOYING PACIFIC STUDIES

• What are the employment and career opportunities for Pacific studies graduates?

• How can Pacific studies programs best prepare students to meet their employment goals?

• How can Pacific studies programs track the career paths of their graduates and incorporate their feedback into program development?