Anthropology 209 Fall 2015 SUNY Geneseo Dr. Judkins Bailey 110 1:00 – 2:15
IROQUOIS CULTURE AND SOCIETY
This course involves study of the social organization and world-view of the various Northern Iroquoian groups, with special emphasis on the Seneca-Iroquois of western New York State during the eighteenth, nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Particular attention is paid to the position of Iroquois culture in the Northeastern Woodlands, as well as to its adaptability and persistence. The cultural vitality and contributions of the Iroquois people are central themes. Special attention is given to world-view, knowledge and intellectual accomplishments of the Iroquois people.
TEXTS:
James Seaver, A Narrative of the Life of Mrs. Mary Jemison Russell A. Judkins (ed.), Morgan’s League of the Iroquois (map needed) Annemarie Shimony, Conservatism Among the Iroquois at the Six Nations Ted C. Williams, Big Medicine from Six Nations
REQUIREMENTS:
Four book reviews & Final Exam: each = 20% of the Final Grade (essay format) Optional 10 page research paper in place of Final Exam (Instructor’s permission required)
OFFICE HOURS AND CONSULTATION:
Bailey 149 Tues & Thurs: 11:30-1:00; Wed: 11:12:30 (by appt. only on Wed.) Phone: 245-5433 e-mail: [email protected]
LIBRARY RESEARCH NOTE for RESEARCH PAPER:
Milne Library has a very useful Iroquois collection. Interlibrary loan requests must be made well ahead of deadline needs; plan accordingly.
FINAL EXAM DATE: Wednesday, Dec. 16 (8:00-11:00) COURSE OUTLINE
Weeks 1 & 2 (Sept 1-10)
1. Introduction to ethnographic Iroquois Studies
READINGS: James Seaver, A Narrative of the Life of Mrs. Mary Jemison VIDEO: PBS/POV: “Honorable Nations” Seneca and the Salamanca Lease
Reading and seeing culture: history is not culture; culture is not history Learning to think ethnographically, to think and see like an anthropologist
Weeks 3 - 5 (Sept 15-Oct 1)
2. Mythology: the axiomatic place and role of myth and folklore: Iroquois Creation Stories
READING: TBA
Myth & folklore as cultural guides; myth as cultural Truth - A.C. Parker’s “Axiomatic Iroquoian Cultural Themes” - Summary outline of the 3 [4] stage Iroquois grand myth cycle
Iroquois mythology - anthropological concepts: Culture vs. Society - Iroquois myth, ritual & symbol: meaning and experience
Case study: Iroquois Creation and Cosmological Myths - Seneca Creation Myth: “The Myth of the Earth-Grasper” Chief John Arthur Gibson and JNB Hewitt - Bare Hill and the myths of autochthonous origin
Weeks 6 - 8 (Oct 6-22)
3a. Fundamental Patterns of Traditional Iroquois Social Structure and Organization
READINGS: R. Judkins, Morgan’s League of the Iroquois. (Intro - Book II) VIDEO: “The Longhouse People” National Film Board of Canada
Horticultural Systems: fundamental logic, pattern, and organization Kinship: Lineage, Descent & Moiety; adaptive nature of descent rules Political Processes: segmentary opposition, factionalism, and alliance cf. self-regulating processes of accusation, resolution in witchcraft Cultural Themes of Complementarity & Alliance Confederacy: Peacemaker, the Deganiweda Myth Confederacy: Origins, prevalence and nature of Iroquoian “leagues” Structure & Function: change and continuity/adaptation and process
3b. Morgan, Ethnography, Material Culture, and Maps
READINGS: R. Judkins, Morgan’s League of the Iroquois. (Book III & map
Morgan & Parker and the invention of “Ethnography” Morgan and the invention of “Material Culture” studies: Iroquois collections Mapping Iroquoia - New York State
Weeks 9-12 (Oct 27-Nov19)
4. Handsome Lake and Revitalization: Cultural Renewal and Social Transformation
READINGS: Shimony, Conservatism among the Iroquois at the Six Nations Reserve, pp 11-205; 261-292 VIDEO: “Oren Lyons the Faithkeeper” (PBS: interview with David Moyers)
The Myth of Handsome Lake Revitalization Movements: social and cultural adaptation Handsome Lake and the Longhouse Religion Religious myth, ritual & symbols and cultural renewal - Persistence of axiomatic Iroquois cultural themes, images, knowledge, realities and interpretations of reality, vs. “Explanation” by non-Iroquois, e.g. AFC Wallace and the problem of “explaining” the Iroquois world by “explaining it away” Longhouse roles and organization Political titles and roles Ceremonies and calendar Witchcraft, medicine and wellness
Weeks 13-15 (Nov 24 – Dec 10)
5. Traditional Iroquois in Modern Times: World and Worldview
READINGS: Williams, Big Medicine from Six Nations VIDEO: “Raccoon and Crawfish” (Oneida) [tradition or acculturation?]
6. Prophecies of Final Times, Renewals & Restorations: Completion of the Mythological Cycle
Handsome Lake, Mad Bear Anderson, Tom Porter Shining Serpents myths: ancient mythology & contemporary prophecy
7. A Continuing Tradition of Iroquois Intellectuals, Writers & Artists and Their Contributions
David Cusick Ely S. Parker Arthur C. Parker Chief John Arthur Gibson JNB Hewitt Ernest Smith Jesse Cornplanter Stan Hill Ted Williams John Mohawk Tom Porter Oren Lyons
FINAL EXAM: (Cumulative; Essay format)
Wednesday, December 16, 8:00-11:00 AM