For this assignment you will choose a character from Part II of Voyages. Look through the reading to find details about their life, and then answer the discussion questions from their point of view. Think about how he or she would answer each question. Write your answer using the first person. Characters to choose from: Seini, Eseta, Manu, Malia, Atu, Finau, Palu (Emma), Vei, Lio Jr.
Watch the Watch VL 7: Voyages and Transnationalism. Choose a character and use your character’s name as the first line of your post (like a title). (Hit reply to my thread). (There are 9 possible characters to choose from. Only 5 people can pick each character. So, make sure to read through the posts and pick a character who has fewer than 4 threads. Characters to choose from: Seini, Eseta, Manu, Malia, Atu, Finau, Palu (Emma), Vei, Lio Jr.
Answer the discussion questions from your character’s point of view. Use specific details from the book. You can use quotes, but put the events in your own words. (Write 150-250 words total).
Give a brief introduction of you, your family and your life. What is the most important experience you have had in your life and why?
Tell us about what your home looks like and what your home means to you. In this you could describe the significance of the design, rooms, decorations, how it was built, who lives there, where it is, etc. How does this home differ from the places where other people in your family (or village) live?
Do you feel Tongan, American, Tongan American or something else and why? Has this changed over time? How do you feel that migration has impacted your family, your life and culture?
How do you feel about being interviewed by Cathy Small and being part of her book? Do you feel that Cathy is part of your family, why or why not? What do you think is the value of participating in an anthropological study like this one? Were there any negative aspects of participating in her study?
Ask a question to another character (either from your character’s perspective or from your etic anthropologist’s perspective)
Etic Analysis: Now take on the anthropologist’s role and talk about what is going on from an etic perspective. To do this find a quote or term from this week’s reading The Art of Being Human: Globalization that better helps you understand or illustrate what is going on with your character, this family, Tongan migration, etc. Include the quote and a couple sentences about why you chose that or how it relates to your character or the discussion. You could mention global, transnational forces, power, etc.
