“We Have Always Been:” Mixed Race Experiences
in the USA and French Polynesian (Tahitian) Contexts
2009 Exploration Seminar in Tahiti
THIS PROGRAM IS FULL AND NO LONGER ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS. PLEASE CONSIDER ANOTHER EXPLORATION SEMINAR PROGRAM
Program Director: Steve Woodard & Alejandro Espania (Minority Affairs)
Dates of Instruction:
June 28 - July 17, 2009
NOTE THAT THIS PROGRAM IS A SUMMER (A Term) AND NOT AN EARLY FALL PROGRAM: This affects how credit, payments and financial aid are handled. Please click here for information.
Ia Ora Na, friend! Please know that this three (3) week seminar will take place in Tahiti, one of 130 main islands within the French Polynesian archipelago. Participants should plan to participate in a pre-seminar, which will take place during the latter part of Spring Quarter 2009 at the University of Washington.
We invite you to join us as we traverse through, and push upon the boundaries of, the system of knowledge collectively referred to in the literature as multiracial theory. Our expected resources include seminal and newly published texts about the mixed race experience, as well as the participants’ (and instructors’) own respective personal narratives. Both ways of knowing will be routinely explored via purposeful dialogues, structured self-reflections, and organized large/small group and one-on-one community interactions.
 Why Tahiti? Wonderful question! Approximately 14% of the French Polynesian population identifies as mixed race. Equally significant, the existence and practice of la culture ma‘ohi, which refers to an ancient indigenous perspective, offers a crossroad in which to stand and chart the complexity of mixed race experiences in the region. Thus, with a heavy focus on cultural expressions of Self/Other and Insider/Outsider within Tahitian arts, media, and education, scholars in this seminar will learn about the rich histories that define French Polynesia, as we also consider the influences of globalization (primarily via tourism) upon the region. In this regard, we will methodically reflect upon the transferable lessons that can provide insights into our respective lived experience within the USA.
How will we achieve this outcome? Timing is everything. Tahiti and a vast majority of the neighboring islands annually engage in a coordinated Heiva (cultural festival) during the month of July. These wide-ranging individual and collective celebrations are a major draw to the region, allowing for genuine glimpses into the blending, clashing, and re/negotiating of cultures brought about by the presence of the global community. In addition to the multitude of events during the month-long Heiva, we will also visit a number of other indigenous sites within the set of five archipelagos that constitute Tahiti. For example, we anticipate visiting Maroto, a village deep in the valley of Papenoo, where the community rebuilt a Marae (open air sanctuary) and exist as if they were living pre-European contact. We will also organize a visit to Huahine, where we anticipate visits to local schools, pearl farms, fisheries, as well as factories where local products like Hinano Beer, Monoi, and various local juices are produced. Our experience will culminate with an Ahimaa (luau) for everyone where our seminar participants will take the lead in inviting community members, preparing the meal, and providing entertainment (e.g., open mic poetry format).
Lastly, accommodations during our three-week stay will range from home-stays with host families to (possible) outdoor camping to hostel-type quarters on the grounds of a local church as our primary residence. Movement is a major theme in this seminar, thus participants should plan on packing medium to light and maintaining a positive attitude about our various living spaces and flexible daily itinerary. We hope to receive your application soon. Ita pe'ape'a (no worries!).
-
-
or, reach us on Facebook directly via: “UW Exploration Seminar to Tahiti (2009)”
-
 This seminar is open to current UW undergraduate and graduate students in all majors and of any class standing. Non-matriculated students will also be considered on a limited-basis.
Credit: This program will offer a total of 6 credits, including five (5) credits of one of the following options, plus one (1) credit of GEN ST 392.
- CHID 476: South Pacific Study Abroad (I&S)
- AES 498 Special Topics (I&S)
- WOMEN 496: Global Feminisms (I&S)
- UW Honors Program students are eligible for 5 Honors credits (e.g., HNS 262 or HNS 397); please contact the UW Honors advising team directly. (I&S)
- This course will also fulfill both the UW Diversity Minor and Education Minor requirements.
- Grad students taking this Exploration Seminar can earn five (5) credits via the College of Education Educational Leadership and Policy Studies (EDLPS) Special Topics (specific course number TBD).
All students should check with their academic advisors to determine how these units can/will count towards their own departmental requirements and course of study.
Pre-program requirements: Once accepted into the seminar, you will be required to attend four pre-program meetings in the latter part of Spring quarter. These sessions will entail a general “getting-to-know you” session, an overview of multiracial theory (plus delivery of summer readings), and an introduction to French Polynesian culture and history, to name a few specific topics. It is important to note that although English is spoken and understood in most hotels, restaurants, and shops, learning a few Tahitian and or French words and phrases is encouraged and appreciated.
About the Instructors: Dr. Steve Woodard is an Assistant Vice President within the UW Office of Minority Affairs and Diversity. His conceptual training is grounded in student learning theory, with a focus on multicultural and feminist approaches to understanding one’s developing sense of self. Our sense of self pertains to who we think we are, and who we think we can become. Alejandro (Val) Espania is an Associate Director within the OMAD Counseling Services unit. His professional experience is rooted in student development, educational/personal counseling, program management, and staff development. Both invite you to learn more about their respective background and training via the online social network tool, Facebook.
Student costs: 
- $ 3,550 Program Fee
- $200 International Programs & Exchanges Fee
- Click here for a Estimated Budget of Student Expenses (for financial aid requests)
- The program fee covers room and board, in-country transportation, most Heiva group entrance fees, opening and closing night events, and excursion fees for seminar-sponsored events within the archipelago.
- Additional costs include: round-trip fare to Tahiti, health insurance, personal spending money, and any passport-related or visa-related costs. Please know that the instructors will also try to help you find financial support to offset costs; email tahiti09@u.washington.edu for details or check the Facebook group.
Back to Exploration Seminar List of Programs
|
