Curriculum
This experientially-based program utilizes a multi-disciplinary approach to understanding the relationship between humans, land and sea. We will review recent articles from anthropology, botany, environmental science, marine ecology, religious studies and sociology and discuss the key questions of the Ahupua’a with Island experts. In small and large group settings, students will conduct daily field excursions, pose questions, collect data and test their developing knowledge of Hawaii. Students will develop the skills to evaluate the impact of humans on natural environments. Academically intense, but experiential in approach, the program is a mobile classroom, rich with opportunities for students to engage with each other, Brown faculty and local experts.
Upon completion of this course, students will understand:
- Cultural history of Hawaii
- Natural history and evolution of the island(s)
- Human impact on the Island and the transformation of life systems of Hawaii over time
- Several major ecological systems of the island- volcanic, rainforest, agricultural lands, coral reefs, climate.
- Leadership skills necessary for successful and sustainable communities
For each ecosystem, students will be able to identify:
- Formation of that system over time
- Change in that system over time
- Cultural meaning
- Original use
- Impact on other systems/relationship to other systems
- Threats to the health, viability of the system
- Policy issues
- The integration of these systems, including the social and cultural systems
We will explore these and other guiding questions:
- How were the islands formed? How are they changing (geologically) over time?
- What species inhabited the islands prior to humans?
- Who came here, how did they get here?
- What do we know about their culture?
- When were the Ahupua’a formed? Why?
- What were the primary ecosystems of the Ahupua'a?
- What functions did they serve?
- How were these land systems delineated? Who “owned” natural resources?
- How were the resourced and social systems governed?
- Why was there a move away from this traditional land definition?
- What was the impact of colonization?
- What were the primary ecosystems in the Ahupua’a? How were they related?
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