Cultures of Oceania

Anth 200 B
Spring 1997

Instructor: Craig Severance
Anthropology
University of Hawai’i at Hilo
200 West Kawili Street
Hilo, HI 96720-4091
Phone: (808) 974-7472
Email: sevc@hawaii.edu

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: UHH will provide access or other reasonable assistance for students with recognized disabilities. If you have a disability and need an accommodation please see me or Barbara Lee in Student Services as early in the Semester as possible.

Texts: Talu et al, - KIRIBATI, A CHANGING ATOLL CULTURE
O'Meara - SAMOAN PLANTERS
Weiner - TROBRIANDERS OF PAPUA NEW GUINEA
Periodical & other readings assigned & on reserve

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

Tentative topic Outline: Adjustable to class interests

Week 1	Jan 13-17	Background: Insularity and Island Resources, Thomas reading
Week 2	Jan 22 and 24	The subsistence base, trade, and exchange Begin O’Meara
Week 3	Jan 27-31	Voyaging and settlement
Week 4	Feb 3-7	Pacific prehistory
Week 5	Feb 10-14	Regional differences in social ranking. Chiefs and non-Chiefs?
Week 6	Feb 19 and 21	Colonial impacts and cultural continuities
Week 7	Feb 24-28	Carolinian social organization Finish O’Meara
Week 8	Mar 3-7	The Chuuk-Pohnpei contrast: redistribution and reciprocity Begin Weiner
Week 9	Mar 10-14	Melanesian exchange systems The Highlands
Week 10	Mar 17-21	Traditional warfare and population Pigs and people
Week 11	Mar 31-Apr 4	The Kula, Siassi traders Finish Weiner, begin Talu
Week 12	Apr 7-11	Polynesian Social Organization Respect and reciprocity (review O’Meara)
Week 13	Apr 14-18	Authority and power
Week 14	Apr 21-25	Movement and exchange
Week 15	Apr 28-May 2	Regional elites Hau'ofa reading - "Sea of Islands"
Week 16	May 5-9	Cultural identity and continuity

Final Exam: Mon. May. 12, 9:40

[Subject: Anthropology; Pacific/Comparative]

Cultures of Oceania

Anth 200 B Spring 1997

Anth 200 B
Spring 1997