http://www.upei.ca/arts/island-studies

Nicholas Mercer, Assistant Professor

Island Studies is an interdisciplinary program designed to promote an understanding of selected features of the world’s small islands, including their geographies, ecologies, cultures, political systems, histories, and societies.

The Island Studies program has three primary goals:
first, to engage students in an emerging, international academic discussion of islands’ distinctive characteristics, challenges, and opportunities;
second, to study Prince Edward Island as a specific example of an island bearing these characteristics and playing out these challenges and opportunities; and
third to study islands in a comparative and international framework.

REQUIREMENTS FOR A MINOR IN ISLAND STUDIES
A minor in Island Studies consists of twenty-one (21) semester hours of credit taken from the list of approved courses, and including Island Studies 2010. Among the elective courses, students must complete at least two courses (six semester hours) specific to Prince Edward Island and at least two courses (six semester hours) which are comparative. Students intending to complete a minor in Island Studies are encouraged to complete Island Studies 2010 early in their course of studies. Students minoring in Island Studies must choose at least 4 courses in subject areas other than those in which they are majoring.

ISLAND STUDIES CORE COURSES

2010 INTRODUCTION TO ISLAND STUDIES
This course introduces students to the emerging interdisciplinary and comparative study of islands and archipelagoes. It examines their cultures, geography, economies, historical development, environmental concerns, and systems of governance. It focuses on jurisdictions with varying degrees of self-government such as Barbados, the Faroe Islands, Iceland, the Isle of Man, Malta, and Prince Edward Island.

2090 SPECIAL TOPICS
Creation of a course code for special topics offered by Island Studies at the 2000 level.

2110 ISLAND TOURISM: THE SEARCH FOR PARADISE
This course will provide a cross-disciplinary analysis of the nature of island tourism, looking at contrasts between warm-water and cold-water islands; supply and demand considerations; cycles and challenges of the industry; the cultural positioning of hosts and guests; the transformation of land and seascapes; pros and cons of mass versus niche tourism; environmental downsides; and future challenges, including prospects for ‘sustainable development’.
Cross-listed with Sociology/Anthropology 2110.

2910 DIRECTED STUDIES
This course provides an opportunity for students to study a current topic relevant to islands, under the supervision of a faculty member. Alternatively, credit for this course may be claimed by fulfilling an overseas assignment with a recognized volunteer-sending agency (e.g., CUSO) on a small island in the developing world.
Three hours per week

3090 SPECIAL TOPICS
Creation of a course code for special topics offered by Island Studies at the 3000 level.

4090 SPECIAL TOPICS
Creation of a course code for special topics offered by Island Studies at the 4000 level.

4910-4920 DIRECTED STUDIES
In response to individual student needs, Directed Studies courses will be designed in the areas of directed readings or directed research. In addition, “Special topics” courses will be offered from time to time by members of the faculty or visiting instructors.

ELECTIVES
Prince Edward Island Courses:
Biology 2220 – General Ecology
Biology 3270 – Field Coastal Ecology
Biology 3910 – Marine Biology
Economics 2420 – The Economics of Tourism
English 3310 – Literature of Atlantic Canada
Environmental Studies 1010 – Introduction to Environmental Studies
Environmental Studies 2310- Island Environmental Histories
History 3310 – History of PEI – Pre-Confederation
History 3320 – History of PEI – Post Confederation
History 4890 – Postwar Prince Edward Island
IST 6280- Tourism and Hospitality Management on Islands
Modern Languages 4430 – Culture et litterateur Acadiennes I
Philosophy 3710 – Community-based Inquiry in Agriculture and Globalization
Political Science 2020 – The Politics and Government of Prince Edward Island

Comparative Courses:
Acadian Studies 2010 – Introduction to Acadian Studies
Anthropology 3320- Knowledge and Culture
Biology 4520 – Biogeography and Macroecology
Business 3730 – Tourism Management
Business 4550 – Sustainable Tourism Development
Economics 2120 – Regional Economics
Economics 3310 – International Trade
Economics 3410 – Economic Development Theory
Education 4630 – Culture and Society in Education
English 3420 – Fiction from Ireland
Environmental Studies 3340 – Environmental Stresses on Island Communities
Environmental Studies 4110 – Environmental Governance and International Relations
History 2310-2320 – The Atlantic Region
Latin American Studies 2120 – Mexico and the Caribbean
Philosophy 2030 – Environmental Philosophy
Political Science 2820 – Introduction to International Politics
Political Science 2330 – Political Geography
Political Science 3620 – Comparative Politics of Latin America and the Caribbean
Political Science 4140 – Public Policy in small Island Jurisdictions
Political Science 4450 – Political Economy of East and Southeast Asia
Sociology/Anthropology 2420 – Peoples of Oceania

NOTE 1
Other courses not specifically focused on islands may, with prior approval of the instructor, the Coordinator of Island Studies, and the Dean of Arts, be credited toward an Island Studies minor. In such a case, the students will complete substantial individual work on topics related to islands.

NOTE 2
Students minoring in Island Studies must choose at least 4 courses in subject areas other than those in which they are majoring.

NOTE 3
Students who have taken ENV-4110 for credit cannot take IST-6190 for credit.