Peoples of the Pacific

ASB 324

Study Abroad in New Zealand Version

This 3 credit course explores the peoples and cultures of the Oceania, particularly Polynesia. The course fulfills the Global Awareness (G) general studies requirement at ASU, and the Anthropology major area studies requirement. The goals are that by the end of the course students will be able to:

  • Explain the ecological, cultural, material, and linguistic diversity of Pacific peoples, including relationships between groups both historical and current.
  • Determine how the Oceanic setting of Pacific peoples has shaped identity, adaptation, and history.
  • Understand sources of PacificIsland identity and pride.
  • Explicate how PacificIsland (including Maori) perspectives, ideologies, and values are distinct and the political and social implications of this.
  • Recognize the challenges facing Pacific groups in the contemporary Pacific and identify and evaluate strategies they are applying to address them.

Required Readings.

Lal, Brij, and Kate Fortune. The PacificIslands: An Encyclopedia. University of Hawaii Press. NOTE this is a very heavy book but it comes with a DVD that has all the highlights. I strongly suggest you purchase the book but then just carry the DVD with you to New Zealand.

King, Michael. The Penguin History of New Zealand. Penguin.

Coursework and Grade Assessment. Grades will be assessed based on:

Commentaries: 30 percent of the final grade

Modules: 30 percent of the grade

Final Exam (Research Essay): 40 percent of the grade.

Commentaries: Written responses are required to the viewing of three films/books that explore the lives and roles of women and/or related issues of history and identity in the Pacific region. You must do either 2 books and 1 film or 2 films and 1 book (and it cant be the book of the movie and vice versa counting as 2 choices…). The commentaries are 1.5 to 2 page essays on the issues raised by the movie/book, must include a critical analysis of how PacificIsland cultural issues are portrayed therein. Consider whether you are observing insider or outsider perspectives, for one. If you are having trouble, a comparison with the US or a setting you are more familiar with might help your critical capacity.

It would be best to view the films pre-departure, such as via buying a one month subscription to Blockbuster.com or Netflicks.com. If you rent DVDs you will have the advantage of such additional materials as the director’s commentaries, which sometimes offer additional insights. The films are:

Whale Rider

Once Were Warriors

Sione’s Wedding (alt. title, Samoan Wedding)

Sons for the Return Home

Utu

The Land Has Eyes

The books are probably best purchased in Auckland and read in-country - ask staff at Whitcoulls bookstore on Queen Street to help select the ones that will work best for you. Many New Zealanders will have read the books and you will thus have people to bounce ideas off. The books are:

Whale Rider

Once Were Warriors

The Bone People

Potiki

Pounamu, Pounamu

Leaves of the Banyon Tree

Tales of the Tikongs

Sons for the Return Home

Baby No-Eyes

The Mango’s Kiss

Suitable substitutes will be considered as acceptable, provided they fit clearly within the genre.

Module: The module relates core theoretical concepts with field activities, by addressing them through localized investigations. Please note that the field experts are available as resources to help students complete the module questions on their own, not to provide answers.

  1. Considering the material culture of Pacific peoples, identify adaptations to the challenges and opportunities of maritime lifeways (Museum; Motutapu)
  2. Considering Maori in the Auckland area before European arrival, what socio-environmental factors might explain the settlement patterns and forms we can observe archeologically?
  3. How is the ‘tradition’ of tattooing incorporated into contemporary identities of Pacific peoples in Auckland? What happens to the social and personal meanings of Pacific tattoos when they become popularized among college students in the US, or a similar geographically and socially different group, viewing it from both sides?
  4. Discuss how Maori and Pacific island identities are both expressed and negotiated through the visual arts (e.g., painting).
  5. A. What distinguishes historical Maori iconography and artistic forms, historical and contemporary, from other Pacific peoples? B. How are the particular historical forms used in contemporary art? C. Are there detectable differences in how they are used (for a, media, form, meaning, etc) by Maori versus Pakeha artists?

Final Exam. The final exam consists of a research essay exploring specific aspects of PacificIsland peoples from a comparative perspective. The library at the University of Auckland has truly extensive materials available, many of which will not be available elsewhere, and the WarMemorialMuseum has fabulous collections if you are interested in art or material culture. The essay does not have to take a conventional format; some topics may give themselves to a photographic or narrative approach. Think inventively, but check with the instructors before you get started.

Classroom Policies

Academic Honesty:

Students are responsible for their own academic behavior, and for making themselves fully aware of the University’s policies: Academic dishonesty includes using the uncredited work of others, but also tolerating or assisting dishonesty in others. The use of cooperative teams of students in instructional settings is widely considered a very effective way to promote student learning, and can also significantly enhance students’ enjoyment and sense of involvement in their education. It therefore has very high pedagogic value, and that is why we will be using it in this course. However, we are very aware that a main challenge is that it demands students apply high standards of respect for other students contributions, time, and effort.

This syllabus is a general guide only – deviations may occur and should be expected.