Master of Arts in Micronesian Studies

Objectives

The Master of Arts degree in Micronesian Studies provides students with an understanding of the Micronesian region-past and present-and prepares them in research methods that will stimulate new research and analysis of the region.

The Master of Arts degree in Micronesian Studies is an interdisciplinary program which involves cooperative effort on the part of the faculty of the Division of Humanistic Studies and the Division of Social and Behavioral Sciences of the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences; faculty of the Richard F. Taitano Micronesian Area Research Center, Learning Resources, and the Micronesian Language Institute of the Sponsored Programs and Research; and faculty of the School of Education. It is administered by the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences.

Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs)

Every graduate course in the Micronesian Studies Program has learning goals and objectives toward which individual courses and the program in general strives to enable students to achieve. MSP Program Learning Outcomes are as follows:

Mastery of understanding of and the ability of students to identify, discuss, analyze, and write about a wide range of topics dealing with the history, culture, people, identity, economic activity, geography, politics, art, religion, social organization, and gender roles of Micronesia and the interdisciplinary interpretation of them.
Mastery of the understanding of and the ability of students to identify, discuss, analyze, and write about the diverse historical encounters of missionization, colonialism, militarism, economic development, and disputes over political and cultural sovereignty and identity that have faced Micronesia.
Mastery of understanding of and the ability of students to identify, discuss, analyze, and write about the major theories, issues, and research in the study of social issues and social problems of Micronesia.
Mastery of the understanding of the role of theory in Micronesian Studies, such that the student will be able to define theory and describe its role in generating knowledge, and be able to compare and contrast basic theoretical perspectives, and to synthesize and/or design a set of theoretical problems.
Mastery of the understanding of and the ability of students to utilize the role of empirical evidence and the application of qualitative and quantitative research methodologies in collecting data, the ability to formulate and design research methodologies, conduct independent research, collect and analyze data, interpret evidence and arguments, and analyze, synthesize, and present data in a scholarly manner.

Admission Requirements

Degree students must meet the minimum admission requirements expected of all students, as outlined in the Academic Regulations.

Degree students must also have a basic knowledge of Micronesia gained either by undergraduate coursework or through relevant experience.

Degree students must submit a personal statement in English of up to 1000 words addressing the following:

An autobiographical sketch outlining the applicant’s personal, professional, and academic experiences that have prepared her/him to pursue training in Micronesian Studies.
A discussion of why the applicant is applying specifically to UOG’s Master of Arts in Micronesian Studies, highlighting aspects of the program which most attract her/him.
A description of the research interest the applicant would like to explore and the academic and/or professional experiences that have most prepared her/him to study that topic.

Degree Requirements

The M.A. in Micronesian Studies Program is divided into six parts:

Pro-seminar courses (MI501, MI502, MI503): 9 credits
Elective courses: 15 credits
One course in research methodology appropriate to the student's area of research: 3 credits
Comprehensive written and oral examinations
Micronesian or appropriate language proficiency examination
Thesis: 6 credits

Language Requirements

The language requirement for the M.A. in Micronesian studies is a demonstrated competency in speaking at least one Micronesian language. There are two possible modifications of this rule.

First, students who are native speakers of a Micronesian language, but whose language competency and research interest do not coincide, may be required to demonstrate appropriate competency in the language of the locale of their research interest.

Second, students who intend to conduct research on an exogenous aspect of the colonial experience may substitute a demonstrated research skill in Spanish, German, or Japanese as appropriate.

The student in consultation with the student’s advisor and the Program Chair will make decisions concerning the choice of an appropriate language.

Course Requirements

(33 CREDIT HOURS MINIMUM)

Required Pro-seminar Courses: (9 credit hours)

Course	Course Title	Credits
MI501	Peoples and Cultures of Micronesia	3
MI502	History of Micronesia	3
MI503	Contemporary Issues and Problems	3

Required Research Methodology Course: (3 credit hours)

(One course appropriate to student's area of research)

Course	Course Title	Credits
BI412G	Biometrics	4
PY413G	Research Methodology in the Behavioral Sciences	3
MI513	Research Methodology in Social Sciences	3

Electives:(15 credit hours)

(At least 15 hours selected with the approval of advisor)

Course	Course Title	Credits
AN/SO405G	Community Development	3**
PY413G	Research Methodology in the Behavioral Sciences	3*
PY455G	Psychology of Women	3*
PY502	Micronesia and Mental Health	3
BA710	Advanced Topics in International Business	3
HI444G	Modern Pacific History from 1850 to Present	3*
HI450G	Topics in Pacific History	3*
MI/EV506	Physical Geography of Micronesia	3
MI/PI508	Micronesian Philosophy	3
MI510	Governance of Island Polities	3
MI512	Guam/Chamorro Studies	3
MI514	Health and Human Adaptation in Micronesia	3
MI/EV517	Cultural Ecology	3
MI518	Religion, Magic, and Myth in Micronesia	3
MI520	Economic Development and Change in Micronesia	3
MI599a,b,c,d	Readings in Micronesian Studies	3***
MI691a,b,c,d	Seminar in Micronesian Studies	3***

* = A student shall not take more than 9 credit hours of “G” courses.

** = Either AN405G or SO405G may be taken, but not both.

*** = These courses may be taken more than once for credit provided that the topics are substantially different.

Thesis: (6 credit hours)

Course	Course Title	Credits
MI695	Thesis	6

TOTAL: 33 CREDIT HOURS

Program Chair

Clement Michael

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Master of Arts in Micronesian Studies