ENG 773
Fall 2021
Dr. kuʻualoha hoʻomanawanui
Wed. 3:15-5:45pm
online, synchronous
Seminar in Hawaiian Literature
Ka Piko Palapala Hawaiʻi (Introduction to Hawaiian Literature)
What is “Hawaiian” literature? What are the cultural, political, linguistic, aesthetic, and philosophical ideals that shape and inform it? How can we understand it as both distinct from other kinds of writing—“Local,” “American,” and “Pacific,” for example? How can studying it help us inform our understanding of these and other world literatures? These are a few of the central questions we will explore in this course.
From the arrival of Captain Cook to the 1893 Overthrow to the present, Kanaka Maoli (Native Hawaiians) have engaged in a continued celebration of our cultural arts—including literary production, while simultaneously resisting foreign oppression of all forms (cultural, political, social, and economic). More than personal expression, Hawaiian literature remains one of the few forms of artistic representation in which Hawaiians could communicate with each other during a time when oppressive missionary-imposed laws forbade hula, and public discourse in the newspapers was censored. From the mid-nineteenth to mid-twentieth century, Hawaiian literature—especially literature published in the Hawaiian language newspapers—was the political messenger of the time, subtly conveying messages of resistance to a savvy native publication through the revered practice of kaona, or hidden/underlying metaphorical messages. Thus “innocent” stories, downplayed as mere entertainment by an unsuspecting haole (foreign, “white” Amer-European) population, sustained the weary spirit of culturally knowledgeable Kanaka, encouraging them to practice their culture and language, and to resist colonial oppression.
Student Learning Outcomes: At the end of the semester, students should be familiar with selected texts of Kanaka Maoli literature; have an understanding of the development of the field; be able to identify and apply Indigenous theories and emergent narratives of critical discourse in reading and interpreting Hawaiian literary texts; develop more complex understandings of the dynamics of cultural translation between the practices and aesthetic concerns of traditional forms of oral and written expression and those of contemporary western-based or western-influenced literature and other media; and demonstrate advanced critical analysis in written and oral formats.
Course goals: Familiarize students with a range of literary work by Kanaka Maoli writers over a span of two centuries, reading these texts as cultural, political, and historical productions as well as literary texts; identify and apply Indigenous and other critical theories to the reading of these texts; develop more complex understanding of the dynamics of cultural translation between the practices and aesthetic concerns of Hawaiian literature in conversation with Pacific and other literatures.
Students are encouraged to discuss their own theoretical, critical, historical and cultural interests to the reading of these texts, although we will focus on how ethnicity, culture, politics and history have informed, influenced, and changed Hawaiian literary aesthetics and expression over time.
Methods and Procedures: This is a seminar course. Students are expected to read required texts prior to classes they are assigned and be prepared for class discussion.
While the focus of study and discussion will revolve around the primary texts by ʻŌiwi writers, selected critical work from other Indigenous and ally scholars are relevant in understand similar processes in the cultural translation of emerging literatures in other parts of Oceania and North America.
Course Requirements: Two Hawaiian newspaper transcription projects, lead a class discussion on an assigned reading, a short essay (1200-1500 words), a final research paper (4000 words), an oral presentation on the final research paper, participation in a library research workshop, class participation, including regular (weekly) attendance. English department graduate students are also required to attend a minimum of four department-sponsored events during the semester, which will be factored into your grade.
BREAKDOWN OF COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
| % | ||
| Newspaper moʻolelo transcription projects……………………………… | 20 | |
| Lead a class discussion on an assigned reading………………………… | 10 | |
| Short essay……………………………………………………………………,……… | 15 | |
| Final research paper and oral presentation………………………………. | 30 | |
| Class participation & attendance………………………………………………. | 20 | |
| Participation in external events and written responses……………… | 5 |
Required Texts:
Justice, Daniel Heath. Why Indigenous Literature Matters, 2018.
McDougall, Brandy Nālani. Kaona and Contemporary Hawaiian Literature, 2016.
Silva, Noenoe. The Power of the Steel-tipped Pen, Reconstructing Native Hawaiian Intellectual History, 2017.
These are available in Kindle versions as well as hard copies.
Additional readings will be posted on Laulima, or weblinks provided.