Anthropology 447 Excursion Report

15 % of final grade.

Due Date: October 23

Early credit date: Oct 16

The Excursion report should document your intensive and personal involvement during the term with some aspect of Polynesian culture that is different from what you already know.

This may be a report about taking Tahitian dance lessons or joining a Hula halau; studying a Polynesian language (other than your own); participating in a ceremony (i.e. wedding or christening or birthday luau or funeral) or attending a day-long festival or cultural performance; joining a Tongan kava circle; playing rugby with Pacific islanders; taking a class in barkcloth or pandanus textile making; learning to make traditional medicines; assisting in the re-building of a heiau; weeding a lo’i [taro patch]; cooking & eating a Sunday imu [earth oven] meal.

The point is to have fun and mingle with Polynesian people, and to write about it in a way that is both documentary and reflective.

Your report should be approx 3-5 pages, and should be written in an engaging, eloquent, professional and respectful style. Think of yourself as a reporter for Hana Hou magazine, trying to give a picture of true Polynesians today. The presentation may include photos or graphic images if you wish. The report should indicate to me that you are a university student with excellent vocabulary and writing skills, that you participated and truly engaged with the experience that is the basis of the excursion, and that you can differentiate real world contemporary Polynesia from the stereotypes and myths.