American Empire in the Pacific

This course will provide an interdisciplinary overview of the history and current state of American empire in the Pacific Islands. Through the lenses of law, history, and anthropology, the course will chart the progression of the American empire, beginning with early colonization, through World War II and the Cold War, to present day, including modern challenges facing communities affected by U.S. imperialism, decolonization movements, and the intersection of empire and climate change. Themes include cultural imperialism, militarization and experimentation, human rights and global ethics, and social and environmental justice.