- APPLICATIONS ACCEPTED NOW, SPACE IS LIMITED -

PROGRAM LOCATION: The Kingdom of Tonga
Tonga, located in the middle of the Pacific Ocean (east of Fiji and south of Samoa) is one of the few governing monarchies in the world, and the only Polynesian nation to have retained indigenous governance throughout the colonization era. Tongans are proud to say they were never colonized.

PROGRAM DATES (est):
29 May - 16 July, 2004 

CURRICULUM: (Taught in English)

Ethnographic methodology classes will be conducted in a cultural immersion and homestay experience on a coral atoll in the Ha'apai region of Tonga. The curriculum includes opportunities to live with a Tongan family, learn about the language, culture and everyday life, as well as learning the research skills needed to be a cultural anthropologist. In addition to group projects, each student will conduct an independent project negotiated with the professor and the village based 'culture experts'. Possible projects include: mapping of local history to topographical features, comparing food intake, weight and height by age and gender, collecting life histories, learning methods for growing taro, yam and other cultivars, sea fishing techniques, women's textile production and handicrafts (especially weaving); collecting local knowledge regarding the reef, island, stars, social history; documenting traditional medicines, ceremonial and ritual activities, childrens games, and many other possibilities.

EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES:
Polynesian dancing & singing, faikava, swimming, snorkling, fishing, hiking, horseback riding, sports (rugby, net ball).

ESTIMATED PROGRAM COST:
$US 3500.00 covers program fees, visa, shared guest house accommodation (breakfast included, self-catered kitchen), village homestay (all meals included), local transportation, language orientation and translation assistance. (Airfare not included, but a charter is being arranged through Royal Tongan Airlines).

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COURSE READINGS, ASSIGNMENTS & GRADES:   
The required readings are listed below. A course packet (Readings for the Ethnographic Field School) and a list of advance readings will be sent to students once they register for the course. This material must be read in advance of the orientation to the field school, and carefully reviewed for the class sessions.

Required Texts:  (confirm with Professor before purchasing)

▸    The Professional Stranger: An Informal Introduction to Ethnography 2nd edition (Michael Agar).

▸    Essential Ethnographic Methods  (Ethnographer’s tool kit, Vol. 2) by  Stephen L. Schensul , Jean J. Schensul , Margaret Diane Lecompte).

▸    Readings for the Ethnographic Field School. Compiled by Heather Young Leslie

▸    Persistence of the Gift: Tongan Tradition in Transnational Context. (Mike Evans).

Recommended  Readings:

You may find these at your university library. They will make useful reading prior to the Field School:

▸    Persistence of the Gift: Tongan Tradition in Transnational Context. (Mike Evans).
▸    They Lie, We Lie by Peter Metcalf.
▸    The Humbled Anthropologist by Philip R. Devita.
▸    Designing and Conducting Ethnographic Research (Ethnographer’s tool kit, Vol. 1) by Jean J. Schensul & Margeret Diane Le Compte.
▸    Writing Ethnographic Field Notes by  Robert M. Emerson , Rachel I. Fretz Linda L. Shaw (Ethnographer’s Toolkit, Vol 3).
▸    Analyzing and Interpreting Ethnographic Data (Ethnographer’s Toolkit, Vol 5) by Jean J. Schensul & Margaret Diane LeCompte).

Student Evaluation (Grades):

Undergraduate students will be given a grade based on the following criteria:

▸    20%:  Recommendations from host family, cultural teachers and any other village-based contacts.
▸    25%:  Independent project & presentation. The presentation will be made to the assembled villagers and class. Translation will be provided so that the villagers will have the opportunity to understand and comment on what you have learned.
▸    25%:  Observations by Professor and Teaching Assistant of student behavior, interaction, participation, etc. during the field school.
▸    20%:  Final exam.
▸    10%:  Presentations in Nuku’alofa

Graduate students: In general, graduate students will be evaluated according to a higher standard. In addition, graduate students are required to submit a Pre-Field School and a Post-Field School paper. The Post-Field School paper is due two weeks from the last class and may be submitted via e-mail.
 

▸    20%:  Recommendations from host family, cultural teachers and any other village-based contacts.
▸    35%:  Independent project & presentation. The presentation will be made to the assembled villagers and class. Translation will be provided so that the villagers will have the opportunity to understand and comment on what you have learned.   
▸    20%:  Observations by Professor and Teaching Assistant of student behavior, interaction, participation, etc. during the field school.
▸    10%: Pre-Field School paper. A ten page literature review on the “Ethnography of Tonga: key themes and questions”. Must be submitted on the first day of the Field School.
▸    15%:   Post-Field School Independent project paper. To be handed no later than (July 24). The paper may be submitted via e-mail. The paper is to be based on
        a] the independent project undertaken in Ha’ano, 
AND INCORPORATING
        b] reflections on literature review submitted in the Pre-Field School Paper.

CLICK HERE for application