Aotearoa: The Making of New Zealand

• Introduction
• Course Outline
• Assessment
• Course Materials
• Summer School
• The New Zealand and Pacific Studies Programme
• Further Information

Introduction

This course, "Aotearoa: The Making of New Zealand", has been developed specifically for students new to this country. It provides the opportunity to have a very special introduction to New Zealand's environment and society, and to study the issues that face this country at this time.

The lecture and tutorial programme cover the dynamic geological evolution of the country and the ways the land has been shaped by fire and ice. It covers the unique biota (life/flora and fauna) that evolved in a land isolated from the rest of the world for more than 80 million years and shows how the arrival of first Mäori and then Europeans transformed the ecology. The history of settlement and the evolution of a unique bicultural society are discussed. The course finishes with an analysis of social, economic and political issues including responses to globalisation, New Zealand as a social pioneer, energy, nuclear issues and the renaissance of Mäori culture, among others.

To complement the classroom aspects of the course, students will undertake a supervised five-day field trip in the later stage of the course. This will include some of New Zealand's most magnificent scenery and dramatic landscapes, illustrating the environmental, social and cultural themes of the programme. During the course of this trip to the distinctive coastal and alpine regions of the South Island of New Zealand, students will be set small individual and group exercises as part of the assessment for the course.

"Aotearoa: The Making of New Zealand" runs for seven weeks during January and February, prior to Otago's first semester commencing. This is perfect timing for students who plan to spend either the first semester, or a full year, studying at Otago.

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Course Outline

This course provides an introduction to New Zealand's environment and society with a focus on contemporary issues. It includes a field-work programme.

Week 1

The Geology and Geomorphology of the New Zealand landscape
Climate in New Zealand

How the physical world was created through mountain building, volcanic activity and the work of glaciers and rivers; the huge diversity of New Zealand's climate

Week 2

Natural history of pre-settlement in New Zealand
A hazardous landscape

The unique plants and animals of a country separated from the rest of the world for 80 million years; cyclone, earthquake, avalanche, eruption and flood: living in a dynamic land

Week 3

The coming of Mäori to New Zealand
European colonisation of New Zealand

The discovery of Aotearoa by Mäori, their early culture and history; the first Europeans and the unique partnership formed through the Treaty of Waitangi

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Week 4

The making of agricultural landscapes
Urban settlement and infrastructure

The growth of rural New Zealand, farming landscapes and conservation lands; how an urban society grew in a rural land; population and migration

Week 5

The production and consumption of energy
Globalisation and economic change

How global forces transformed the New Zealand economy; energy and transportation policy: the coming crisis?

Week 6

New Zealand society today

Race, class and gender in modern New Zealand: a classless society?

Field trip (5 days)

Week 7

Futures for New Zealand

Social and economic change, international relations, sustainability and security in an unsustainable and dangerous world

There are two classes per week, each of two hours duration. The first hour will be a lecture and the second hour will be practical or tutorial work.

There are no prerequisites for this course i.e. entry is open to all students. There are some restrictions and this course cannot be taken if any of the following geography papers have been completed GEOG 281, GEOG 387, GEOG 213.

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Assessment

Practical reports 30%
Field trip exercises 30%
Final examination 40%
Total 100%

Three practical reports are required, based on the seven weeks of lecture topics. The field trip exercises require written exercises to be submitted for assessment. There will be one final examination at the conclusion of the course.

Course Materials

A course reader will be available for purchase. Three copies will be held on close reserve in the Central Library.

Summer School

This course runs as part of Otago's Summer School Programme during January and February each year. There are a variety of other courses available as part of this programme, with topics as diverse as Anthropology and Theatre Studies.

Visit http://www.otago.ac.nz/courses/summer_school/papers/index.html for more information on Summer School papers.

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The New Zealand and Pacific Studies Programme

"Aotearoa: The Making of New Zealand" forms an integral part of the New Zealand and Pacific Studies Programme at Otago. This programme has been developed to give students the opportunity to study courses outlining the distinctive nature of New Zealand, especially in relation to its culture and history. New Zealand and Pacific Studies papers are available both in the first and second semesters, and during Summer School.

For more information on the programme visit www.otago.ac.nz/humanities/nzpacificstudies

For further information contact the Course Co-ordinator:

Professor Geoff W. Kearsley
E-mail: geoff.kearsley@stonebow.otago.ac.nz
Phone: 64 3 479 8519

Useful websites:

The University of Otago's main website: www.otago.ac.nz
The New Zealand and Pacific Studies Programme: www.otago.ac.nz/humanities/nzpacificstudies
The University of Otago Summer School webpage: http://www.otago.ac.nz/courses/summer_school

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