Jun 05, 2025

2025-2026 UH Mānoa Catalog

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2025-2026 UH Mānoa Catalog

Pacific Islands Studies, BA

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Admissions: PACS 108 , Grade C or higher

Process: Declaration

Min. Total Credits: 120 (74 in core & major +46 in electives)

UHM General Education Core Requirements

Foundations

Written Communication (FW)

(3 credits)

Quantitative Reasoning (FQ)

Note: This requirement changed in Fall 2018. If you entered the UH System prior to that, please see your college/school advisor.

(FQ; 3 credits) replaces Symbolic Reasoning (FS; 3 credits) effective Fall 2018

Global and Multicultural Perspectives (FG)

(FGA, FGB, FGC; 6 credits)

Group A (FGA) courses cover the time period prehistory to 1500
Group B (FGB) courses cover the time period 1500 to modern times
Group C (FGC) courses cover the time period prehistory to modern times

Diversification

* See degree, college and major requirements for courses that can also fulfill these.

Arts (DA), Humanities (DH), and Literatures (DL)

(6 credits from 2 categories)

Arts (DA*)
Humanities (DH*)
Literatures (DL*)

Natural Sciences

Biological Science (DB*; 3 credits)
Physical Science (DP*; 3 credits)
Laboratory (science) (DY*; 1 credit )

Social Sciences (DS)

(DS*; a total of 6 credits from 2 different departments)

UHM Graduation Requirements

Focus

**The STAR Degree Check indicates Focus classes by “E,” “H,” “O,” and “W.” Class Availability indicates Focus sections with “ETH,” “HAP,” “OC,” and “WI.”

Hawaiian, Asian, and Pacific Issues (H)

(H or HAP**; 1 course, any level)

Contemporary Ethical Issues (E)

(E or ETH**; 1 course, 300- or 400-level)

Oral Communication (O)

(O or OC**; 1 course, 300- or 400-level)

Writing Intensive (W)

(W or WI**; 5 courses, at least two of which are at the 300- or 400-level)

Hawaiian Or Second Language (HSL)

competence at the 202 level

Credit Minimums

120 total applicable
30 UH Mānoa credits
45 upper division (300+ level) credits

Grade Point Average

2.0 cumulative or higher (Note: Other GPAs may be required)
Good academic standing

School Requirements

Second Language Requirements HSL

Take the first four semesters (or equivalent) in one of the following languages: Chamorro, Hawaiian, Maori, Samoan, Tahitian, or Tongan.
Speakers of any indigenous Pacific Islands language may test out.

Note

This was prepared to provide information and does not constitute a contract. See below for major requirements. Meet regularly with your major advisor.

Major Requirements for BA in Pacific Islands Studies

Admission: Completion of PACS 108 with grade of C or higher
Application: NA
Min. credits: 30
Min. C grade (not C-) in all courses

Requirements

Pacific Islands Studies Core Courses (18 credits)

PACS 108 - Pacific Worlds: An Introduction to Pacific Islands Studies Credits: 3 ^DS
PACS 200+
PACS 200+
PACS 300+
PACS 300+
PACS 401 - Pacific Islander Collaborative Research Credits: 3

Pacific Islands Studies Elective Options: (6 credits)

Anthropology Electives (3 credits)

ANTH 323 - Pacific Islands Archaeology Credits: 3 ^DH
OR
ANTH 350 - Pacific Island Cultures Credits: 3 ^DH
OR
ANTH 447 - Polynesian Cultures Credits: 3 ^DH
OR
ANTH 449 - Anthropology of Melanesia Credits: 3 ^DH
OR
Other Pacific Islands-related Anthropology courses.

History Electives (3 credits)

HIST 288 - Oceania Survey Credits: 3 ^DH
OR
HIST 366 - Women in Oceania Credits: 3 ^DH
OR
HIST 481 - Histories of Oceania I Credits: 3 ^DH
OR
HIST 482 - Histories of Oceania II Credits: 3 ^DH
OR
HIST 483 - United States in the Pacific Credits: 3 ^DH
OR
HIST 495D - History Colloquium: history in Oceania Credits: 3 ^DH
OR
Other Pacific Islands-related History courses.

Pacific Islands Studies General Electives (6 credits)

Any two courses at the 300+ level selected from the approved master list (to be available in STAR). Or, please contact the center for the course list.

Notes

Advising Center for the Colleges of Arts, Languages and Letters: Sakamaki D202; (808) 956-8755; advising@hawaii.edu
Center for Pacific Islands Studies: Moore 215 (808) 956-7700; cpis@hawaii.edu; hawaii.edu/cpis/
Pacific Islands Studies Undergraduate Advisor: Julie Walsh, PhD.; Moore 211; (808) 956-2668; jwalsh@hawaii.edu

4-Year Plan

This is a sample academic plan. Students should meet with an academic advisor prior to registration to formulate their own plan.

Year 1

Fall

HSL 101 Credits: 4
PACS 108 - Pacific Worlds: An Introduction to Pacific Islands Studies Credits: 3 (DS)
FW (or FQ) Credits: 3
FG (A/B/C)
Elective Credits: 3

Credits 16

Spring

HSL 102 Credits: 4
PACS 200+ Credits: 3
FQ (or FW) Credits: 3
FG (A/B/C) Credits: 3
DH Credits: 3

Credits 16

Total Credits 32

Year 2

Fall

HSL 201 Credits: 4
PACS 200+ Credits: 3
DB (or DP) Credits: 3
DY Credits: 1
DA/DL Credits: 3

Credits 14

Spring

HSL 202 Credits: 4
Elective Credits: 3
DP (or DB) Credits: 3
DS Credits: 3
Elective Credits: 3

Credits 16

Total Credits 62

Year 3

Fall

PACS 300+ Credits: 3
PACS 300+ Credits: 3
PACS HIST Elective Credits: 3
Elective 300+ Credits: 3
Elective 300+ Credits: 3

Credits 15

Spring

Elective 300+ Credits: 3
PACS General Elective 300+ Credits: 3
PACS ANTH Elective Credits: 3
Elective 300+ Credits: 3
Elective 300+ Credits: 3

Credits 15

Total Credits 92

Year 4

Fall

PACS General Elective 300+ Credits: 3
Elective 300+ Credits: 3
Elective 300+ Credits: 3
Elective 300+ Credits: 3
Elective Credits: 3

Credits 14

Spring

PACS 401 - Pacific Islander Collaborative Research Credits: 3
Elective 300+ Credits: 3
Elective 300+ Credits: 3
Elective 300+ Credits: 3
Elective Credits: 2

Credits 14

Total Credits 120

Notes:

Students may progress more quickly through their foreign language sequence by taking a placement exam and/or summer courses. Second language must be in one of the following: Chamorro, Hawaiian, Maori, Marshallese, Samoan, Tahitian, or Tongan. Speakers of any indigenous Pacific Islands language may test out.
Students must incorporate all focus requirements into this plan. Minimum 45 upper division (300+ course) credits are required.
**Please contact the Center for Pacific Islands Studies for general elective course list (or view on STAR).