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ANTH
447: Site updated Sept '06
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Polynesian Cultures |
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| When: | Mon/Wed 1:30
– 2:45 (note unusual time
slot)
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| Where: | Watanabe 112 | |
| Professor: | Dr. H. Young Leslie | |
| Contact: |
Saunders 306 | |
In this class we will consider the Polynesian peoples and cultures from before the ‘first contacts’, through the initial colonial period and into the present. Through assigned readings, guest lectures, films, food, fashion, poems, comics and excursions we will consider what it means to be ‘Polynesian’ then & now. Polynesian voices in the form of Guest Speakers, videos and material culture will be a significant aspect of the class. Required Readings include both native and non-native authors (for the most part, the latter are concerned to convey native perspectives and values).
We begin term with the oral narratives that are so important to the various island people of Polynesia, including the ‘outliers’ and then carry on to consider the archaeological, biological and linguistic evidence used to describe the Polynesian ancestors’ peopling of the Pacific. A major part of the first half of the term will be devoted to ‘first contacts’ between Polynesians including Samoa, Tonga, Tahiti, Aotearoa and Hawai’i nei, and European explorers from France, Spain, Holland, England and elsewhere. We will use recent re-analyses of early European voyage records, and the importance of ‘cloth’ in Polynesian societies, to read against the grain of the received stereotypes of those early moments, and also to establish a baseline by which to consider the reality of Polynesian lives today. The second half of the course will focus on contemporary Polynesian life-worlds, with special emphasis on Tonga, Aotearoa New Zealand and Hawai`i. In the second part of the term you will read an ethnographic monograph, and be asked to consider the way in which contemporary poets, novelists, comedians, fashion-activists, performance artists, musicians, film-makers, sports atheletes and politicians are crafting a Polynesian identity for the present.
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Required
Texts
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First
Contacts in Polynesia (2004)
Serge Tcherkézoff, MacMillan Brown Centre
Clothing the Pacific (2003) Chloë Colchester, Berg Books. Plus readings as may be assigned in class. [In this case, most will be posted to the MYUH class site] |
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| Grades |
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Assignment
[follow links for details]
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Due Date | Value | |
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Oral Narrative (origin myth)
Presentation (info on MYUH)
Scientific Abstract Search & Review (info on MYUH) Excursion Report Essay (15 pages) Final Exam (Multiple choice
& essay questions)
**Alternative to written exam = Spoken Word
Performance at Hawaiian Hut, 1st Thursday in December**.
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Aug 28 & 30. Sept 11. Oct 18. Nov. 22 Dec 11 2:15-4:15 |
15pts 15pts 15pts 25pts 30pts |
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Extra credit is available, IF completed & handed in by November 22:
Written summary of & commentary on 2 months of ASAONET discussions: 10pts
Early submission (at least 7 days) of Excursion Report (in by Oct 11) 5pts
Written summary (2-3 pgs) of any Anth Colloquium Re: Polynesia 5pts
Written summary (2-3 pgs) of any Exhibit or Guest Lecture on Polynesia 5pts
