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Polynesian Religions
Religion 492
Fall Semester 1996
Tuesday-Thursday 1:30 - 2:45 PM
Instructor: Professor
John Charlot
University of Hawai'i at Manoa
Department of Religion
Sakamaki A-307
Honolulu, Hawai'i 96822
Telephone: 956-6848
Email: charlot@hawaii.edu
This class will emphasize individual research. Students will
write a 10 to 15 page academic paper (plus bibliography) on an
approved topic. This paper will be the basis for a class
presentation.
Please note carefully the following deadlines:
by September 26, the topic must be approved.
by October 15, the outline and bibliography must be approved.
November 14, the papers are due.
Schedule:
The following schedule is subject to change.
August 27 - 29: Introduction
Polynesian Cultures, Religions, Literature, Archeology,
Course Requirements
Readings:
K. Luomala: Voices on the Wind
J. Charlot: packet of articles on Polynesia
September 3 - 24: Samoa
People, Chiefs, the Origin of the Universe
Readings:
G. Turner: Samoa a Hundred Years Ago and Long Before
"Nifoloa und Saumaeafe"
"O Sina ma lana Tuga"
"O le tala i le tupuga o Samoa" and "O le tupuga o
le Eleele o Samoa ma tagata"
Kareda Henningsen: "Materials for the Study of the Chant 'O
LE SOLO O LE VA O LE FOAFOAGA O LE LALOLAGI"
J. Fraser: "The Samoan Story of Creation. -- A 'Tala'"
September 26 - October 1: Tonga
Readings:
P. Reiter: "Tongan Traditions"
E. E. Collocott: "A Tongan Theogony"
V. Moniz: "A Tongan Theogony"
October 3 - 15: The Society
Islands
Readings:
K. P. Emory: "The Tahitian Account of Creation by
Mare"
T. Henry: from Ancient Tahiti
October 17: Midterm Examination,
take-home, started in class and due at the beginning
of class Tuesday, October 22. The examination will consist of the
interpretation of a text.
October 22 - November 12: New Zealand
Readings:
M. Ruatapu: The writings of Mohi Ruatapu
M. McLean and M. Orbell: from Traditional Songs of the
Maori
L. Head: "The Gospel of Te Ua Haumene"
M. P. Shirres: Tapu: Te Mana o Nga Atua
November 14: Other Island
Groups.
November 19 - December 10: Student Presentations
December 6: Concluding Discussion
Grading:
20% for each question on the midterm examination
50% for the research paper and presentation
10% for class participation
Two unexcused absences will result in the loss of half a
grade.
According to departmental policy, incompletes will be given
only for extraordinary reasons, such as health problems.
Reading:
Packets are available at the Copy Connection, Puck's Alley.
Packet 1: "Class Texts for Religion 492."
Packet 2: John Charlot: "Selected Articles on Polynesian
Religions."
Includes:
"Geometry and Life in Samoan Art" (reprinted
from Samoa News), Volume XIV, Number 7, January
1980, pp 91 f.
"Aspects of Samoan Literature I: The Structure of
the Samoan Single Story Form and Its Uses," Anthropos,
Volume 85, 1990, pp 415–430.
"Aspects of Samoan Literature II: Genealogies,
Multigenerational Complexes, and Texts on the Origin of
the Universe," Anthropos, Volume 86, 1991, pp
127–150.
"Aspects of Samoan Literature III: Texts on
Historical Subjects and Bodies of Literature," Anthropos,
Volume 87, 1992, pp 33–48.
"Some Uses of Chant in Samoan Prose," Journal
of American Folklore, Volume 101, Number 401,
July–September, 1988, pp 302–311.
"The War between the Gods of 'Upolu and Savai'i:
A Samoan Story from 1890, "The Journal of Pacific
History, Volume 23, Number 1, April 1988, pp
80–95.
"Four Society Islands Creation Texts," Journal
de la Societe des Oceanistes, Volume XLI, Number 81,
December, 1985, pp 169–184 (numerous typographical
errors).
"Some Recent Publications of Maori Texts," Pacific
Studies, Volume 18, Number 2, June 1995, pp
139–149.
"The Influence of Polynesian Literature and
Thought on Robert Louis Stevenson," The Journal
of Intercultural Studies, Number 14, 1987, pp
82–106.
"Towards a Dialogue Between Christianity and
Polynesian Religions," Studies in Religion/Sciences
Religieuses, Revue Canadienne/A Canadian Journal,
Volume 15, Number 4, 1986, pp 443–450.
Katharine Luomala: Voices on the Wind: Polynesian Myths and
Chants.
George Turner: Samoa a Hundred Years Ago and Long Before.
Mohi Ruatapu, 1993. Nga Korero a Mohi Ruatapu tohuna
rongonui o Ngati Porou: The writings of Mohi Ruatapu
(translated, edited and annotated by Anaru Reedy). Christchurch:
Canterbury University Press. (To be bought in class.)
Michael P. Shirres: Tapu: Te Mana o Nga Atua 'The Mana of
the Spiritual Powers': A Maori Theological Understanding of Tapu.
(To be bought in class.)
[Subject: Religion; Polynesia]
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