Cultures of Oceania (Severance, 2003)

CULTURES OF OCEANIA

University of Hawai‘i at Hilo

Spring 2003 Anth 200 B

Instructor: Severance

Craig's Office: EKH 266, Phone: 974-7472, email:sevc@hawaii.edu

Office Hours: MWF 10-11 Mon & Wed. 3-4:30 and by appointment.

Course Goals: 1. To examine the variety of Pacific Island Cultures and their adaptations to island environments and to each other.

2. To establish a cultural baseline for understanding the contemporary Pacific and the ways in which cultural backgrounds and identity influence the region. 3. To briefly examine their culture history. 4. To appreciate insider literature, 5. To understand sources of Pacific Islander cultural identity and pride.

Note: This course is the basic introductory required course for the Pacific Islands Studies Certificate and an elective for other programs.

Note: Any Student with a documented disability who would like to request accommodations should contact the University Disability Services Office at 933-0816 (V), 933-3334(TTY), shirachi@hawaii.edu Campus Center Room 311, as early in the Semester as possible.

Note: Out of respect for your classmates and for me, please turn off cell phones and pagers during class-time unless you have a health problem, a family crisis or small children.

Note: Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated: See the Student Conduct Code for definitions of academic dishonesty, plagiarism and cheating.

Texts: Chambers & Chambers UNITY OF HEART

Weiner TROBRIANDERS OF PAPUA NEW GUINEA

Brewis LIVES ON THE LINE

Hau'ofa TALES OF THE TIKONGS

Periodical & other readings assigned & on reserve

Evaluation:	Map Exercise	10%
	Interview Sketch	10%
	Paper (conference req.)	30%
	2 Quizzes	20%
	Final Exam	30%

I will edit paper drafts and give you tentative grades, if you

hand them in early enough. Pay attention to the course paper description and note that the required conference is meant to guide you to sources and help you focus on manageable topics. I will not accept papers that I have not pre-approved through the paper conference!

Internet sources are acceptable, if you cite the websites, but they are not subject to peer review and are sometimes inaccurate or biased. Papers should show that you have covered the relevant periodical and monograph literature. If you lack familiarity with library and periodical research, see me for guidance.

Tentative topic Outline: Adjustable to class interests

Week 1, Jan 13-17 Background: Insularity & Island Resources, Physical resources readings, Begin Hau'ofa Tales.

Week 2, Jan 22 & 24 The Subsistence Base, trade & exchange

Begin Brewis

Week 3, Jan 27-31 Voyaging and settlement

Week 4, Feb 3-7 Pacific prehistory, lines of evidence

Week 5, Feb 10-14 Regional differences in social ranking

Chiefs and nonChiefs?

Week 6. Feb 19 & 21 Colonial impacts & Cultural Continuities

Handout

Week 7. Feb 24-28 Marshalls & Carolinian Social Organization

Finish Brewis

Week 8. Mar 3-7 The Chuuk Pohnpei Contrast: Redistribution and Reciprocity

Begin Weiner

Friday Mar 7, LAST DAY TO WITHDRAW!

Week 9. Mar 10-14 Melanesian Exchange systems

The Highlands

Week 10. Mar 17-21 Traditional Warfare & Population

Pigs & People

SPRING BREAK

Week 11. Mar 31-Apr 4 The Kula, Siassi Traders

Finish Weiner,

Week 12. Apr 7-11 Polynesian Social Organization

Respect & reciprocity (Begin Chambers & Chambers)

Week 13. Apr 14 & 16 Authority & Power Samoan Matai & Aiga

Week 14. Apr 21-25 Movement & Exchange

Week 15. Apr 28-May 2 Regional Elites

Hau'ofa reading Sea of Islands

Week 16. May 5 & 7 Cultural Identity & Continuity

Final Exam: Mon May 12, 11:50 a.m.

Upload: 4/25/2003