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- 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 and : 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, & symbol: meaning and experience

Case study: Iroquois Creation and Cosmological - Seneca Creation Myth: “The Myth of the Earth-Grasper” Chief 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 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. of Final Times, Renewals & Restorations: Completion of the Mythological Cycle

Handsome Lake, Mad Bear Anderson, Tom Porter Shining Serpents myths: ancient mythology & contemporary

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