Literature of the Pacific

This course will focus on literature by Native Pacific Islander writers from Polynesia, Melanesia, and Micronesia. We will read, discuss, and write about poetry, fiction, non-fiction, and plays; additionally, we will watch films and listen to spoken word and oral performances.

Throughout the semester, we will explore how Pacific Islander literature captures social, historical, political, ecological, and cultural issues. We will achieve these objectives through class discussion, essay writing, reader responses, in-class activities, and presentations.

REQUIRED TEXTS:

Emelihter Kihleng: My Urohs (poetry)

Brandy Nālani McDougall: The Salt Wind Ka Makani Paʻakai (poetry)

Lisa Linn Kanae: Islands Linked By Ocean (short stories)

Sia Figiel: Where We Once Belonged (novel)

Patricia Grace: Potiki (novel)

Other readings will be provided via Laulima