ICS
290 A ‑ Studies in Cultures and Communication: Oceania
Winter
2004
Dr.
Phillip McArthur
Office:
McKay 108B
Phone:
293-3907
Course Objectives
In this course we will study the cultural traditions of
Polynesia, Micronesia and Melanesia in terms of history, culture and indigenous
philosophy as they are expressed and created through visual, performance and
language arts. Avoiding merely an
intellectual approach to Pacific Arts, we will experiment with alternative ways
of knowing that integrate an academic approach with learning through experience
and dialogue. In this way we will be
more fully able to celebrate the complex continuities and diversities of
Pacific Islanders and the meaning of their artistic accomplishments.
Required Texts
1.
Wendt, Albert Leaves
of the Banyan Tree
2.
Moyle, Richard Polynesian
Music and Dance (on Library Reserve)
3.
Reading
Articles: Selections found on BlackBoard
(courseinfo)
http://courses.byu.edu
Reading
Schedule
Jan. 08 (thu) Introduction
Verbal Arts
13 (tue) Folklore Readings
15 (thu) Mitchell – “Oral Tradition and Micronesian History: A Microcosmic
Approach”
20 (tue) Huntsman – “Fiction, Fact, and Imagination: A Tokelau Narrative”
22 (thu) Clerk – “That Isn’t Really a Pig: Spirit Traditions in the Southern
Cook Islands”
27 (tue) Presenting Collections and Storytelling
29 (thu) Presenting Collections and Storytelling
Feb. 03 (tue) Presenting
Collections and Storytelling
Music, Dance and Song
05 (thu) Moyle ‑ Polynesian Music and
Dance On Reserve under McArthur
10 (tue) Kaeppler “Dance and the Interpretation of
Pacific Traditional Literature”
12 (thu) Feld – “Sound as a Symbol System: The Kaluli Drum”
17 (tue) Kaeppler – “Polynesian Dance as Airport
Art”
19 (thu) Music and Dance Performances
24 (tue) Music and Dance Performances
26 (thu) Music and Dance Performances
Visual Arts
Mar. 02 (tue) Kaeppler – “Melody, Drone and Decoration: Underlying
Structures and Surface
Manifestations
in Tongan Art and Society”
04 (thu) Cummins – “Kinshape: The
Design of the Hawaiian Feather Cloak”
09 (tue) Thomas – “The Art of the Body”
11 (thu) Nero – “The Breadfruit Story: Mythological Transformations in Palauan Politics”
16 (tue) Bishop Museum
Field Trip
18 (thu) Visual Art
Presentations
23 (tue) Visual Art Presentations
25 (thu) Visual Art Presentations
30 (tue) Wendt ‑ Leaves of the Banyan Tree (Book I)
Apr. 01 (thu) Wendt ‑ Leaves
of the Banyan Tree (Book II)
06 (tue) Wendt - Leaves of the Banyan Tree (Book III)
08 (thu) Hereniko – “The Monster (A Fantasy). A One‑Act Play, with an Interview
with the
Playwright”
13 (tue) Presenting and
Sharing Pacific Foods (as art)
20 (tue) FINAL EXAM
Course Requirements
1. In Class Presentations
For each of the primary units (Verbal Arts, Music and Dance,
Visual Arts, Theater and Literature) you will be required to participate in
short presentations and/or performances in class. The dates of these presentations are noted on
the reading schedule. Even if you are
not a Pacific Islander yourself you will be expected to participate in these
activities. If you are a Pacific
Islander I expect you to broaden your experience by extending yourself to learn
of the arts of cultures other than your own.
In many ways this assignment will combine with your participation grade. These activities will not just be fun show‑and‑tell
activities, but you will need to say/display something about the form
(formal qualities), function (what the art does in a culture) and meaning
(the social, culture, and historical information necessary for us to understand
the art within in the contexts of its culture).
2. Homework
Assignments
Over the course of the term I will assign you a few short
individual writing assignments. These
assignments will be due the week after they are assigned. * All written materials handed in must be
typed.
3. Class
Attendance and Participation
I place great emphasis on your effort to become involved in
the lectures through questions and comments, and your contributions to class
discussions. Therefore, attendance is
essential and I will note daily who comes to class prepared to
participate. I believe our best learning
comes when we engage in meaningful dialogue with each other. You are expected to ask questions and voice
your ideas and experiences. Through
active participation in class you will find that you will not only better
understand the subject matter, but enjoy developing critical ways to think
about it.
* I expect you to do all the reading you are assigned. I demand from you a maturity and willingness to read, not because you have to, but because you want to learn. If I find students have not been conscientious with their reading assignments I reserve the right to give those pop reading quizzes we all love to hate.
4. Final Exam
During the
examination time you will write a summarizing essay that reviews and integrates
what you have learned over the course of the semester. Final Exam: Tuesday, April 20th, 7:00-10:00
a.m.
Special Needs
Brigham Young University-Hawai'i is committed to providing a working and learning
atmosphere, which reasonably accommodates qualified persons with
disabilities. If you have any disability
that may impair your ability to complete this course successfully, please
contact the students with Special Need Coordinator, Leilani
A'una at 293-3518. Reasonable academic accommodations
are reviewed for all students who have qualified documented disabilities. If you need assistance or if you feel you
have been unlawfully discriminated against on the basis of disability, you may
seek resolution through established grievance policy and procedures. You should contact the Human Resource
Services at 780-8875.
Preventing Sexual Harassment
Title IX of the education amendments of 1972 prohibits sex
discrimination against any participant in an educational program or activity
that receives federal funds, including Federal loans and grants. Title IX also covers student-to-student
sexual harassment. If you encounter
unlawful sexual harassment or gender-based discrimination, please contact the
Human Resource Services at 780-8875 (24 hours).