[ISL] Why I'm Interested in Islands
Apr. 20th, 2005 01:27 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
rfmcdonaldMy origins play a determinant role. I'm a fifth-generation Prince Edward Islander, almost all of my pre-Island ancestors have come from islands of varying sizes my undergraduate alma mater's is well-known for (in addition to Lucy Maud Montgomery studies) its Institute of Island Studies which now offers a Master of Arts in Island Studies (PDF format).
More than this, islands interest me. I'm not talking only about geographical islands, but near-islands (peninsulas, exclaves) and human islands (ethnic and religious minorities, historical subpopulations). Island societies are microcosms, their small size and the difficulties of independent existence magnifying problems of importance to all societies, most particularly, relations with the outside world.
Consider this the first post of many about islands.
More than this, islands interest me. I'm not talking only about geographical islands, but near-islands (peninsulas, exclaves) and human islands (ethnic and religious minorities, historical subpopulations). Island societies are microcosms, their small size and the difficulties of independent existence magnifying problems of importance to all societies, most particularly, relations with the outside world.
Consider this the first post of many about islands.
