The current and official versions of the course specifications are available on the web at .
Please consult the web for updates that may occur during the year.
This course explores critical and contemporary issues in Pasifika education. It examines the term `Pasifika' and introduces the communities, cultures and languages which the term encompasses. Pasifika customs and understandings are presented through an overview of their philosophical and socio-historical evolution, focusing on the effects of colonisation, migration and socio-economic development. The experiences of Pasifika learners within Western educational systems highlight how cultural misalignment impacts on educational engagement and achievement. Successful pedagogical strategies and frameworks for teaching Pasifika students are explored with specific emphasis on emerging pedagogies and the principles underpinning positive multicultural learning environments. This course further examines models for partnerships with and research within Pasifika communities, encouraging the critical analysis of relevant frames of knowing and doing. Throughout the course run the key themes of social justice and cultural equity in education.
