American Samoa Community College

American Samoa Community College Samoan Studies Institute

SAM 204 (Section 15) Samoan Mythology – SPRING 2010

Instructor: Tamari Mulitalo-Cheung Class Hours: 4.00-5.20pm MWF Office: Samoan Studies Institute Classroom: Room 7 Office Phone: 699-9155 (Ext. 372) Office Hours: (MWF) 11.30-12.30 (TR) 9.00-9.50 Email: [email protected] in the Samoan Studies Institute building next to Cell Phone: 259-7974 the Fale Samoa (lower campus)

Course Textbook:

1. SSI. 2008. Ua tala le ta’ui. SSI, ASCC. Mapusaga. 2. MYSCA. 1999. Samoa, ne’i galo. Vol 2. Apia. Government Printing Press.

Additional Readings & online reading

1. Steubel et al. 1995. Tala o le Vavau; The Myths 7 Legends and customs of Samoa. Pasifika Press. 2. Le Tagaloa, Aiono Fanaafi.1996. O la ta Gagana. Lamepa Press 3. American Samoa Historical Preservaton site 4. http://talaolevavauosamoanmythology.yolasite.com/ SAM 204 class site 5. Tana, Siaosi. Nd. O Samoa anamua. http://nzetc.org/tm/scholarly/tri-TanSamo.html 6. Efi, Tuiatua Tamasese et al. 2007. O se suega faalumaga i Tu ma Aga, Tala o le Vavau ma le Tala Faasolopito e faamautuina ai le Filemu ma Pulega Lelei i Aiga, Nuu & Ekalesia. USP. 7. TMCheung. 2008. Critique of Tapua’i a thesis by Fanaafi Aiono-Le Tagaloa. NUS. Unpub. 8. ______. 2008. The role of fagogo in promoting “va”. NUs unpub. 9. Polynesian Mythology. Nd. http://www.janeresture.com/polynesia_myths/index.html

Course Description: This is a course on Samoan Mythology where students will be introduced to myths and legends as a genre of literature. Students will be introduced to the literary elements in indigenous myths, and will compare commonalities among Polynesian myths, typology, and archetypes.

Course SLOs: This course will review myth and legends as another genre students of Samoan literature (introduced in Sam 154) and will expose students to various contemporary references to a genre almost confined to the past only. Critical, analytical and interpretive writing skills will be stressed as students critique the current use of myths and proverbial sayings. This course is transferable to a 4-year institution of higher learning.

1 Course Prerequisite: Student must pass Samoan Studies Institute Placement Test OR get instructor’s permission.

Learning Objectives:

1. Define the word mythology. (Dept. LO 1; Institutional SLO Communication Skills I.2.1) 2. Identify the literary elements in Samoan indigenous myth as a genre of Samoan literature. (Dept. LO 1; Institutional SLO Communication Skills I.2.1) 3. Discuss commonalities of Samoan myths with other Polynesia myths. (Dept. LO 1, 3; Institutional SLO Communication Skills I.1.3, I.2.1) 4. Create critical and analytical thinking of Samoan mythology (Dept.LO1.1 - Institutional SLO Communication Skills I.1.3, I.2.1)

Student Learning Outcomes: Communication Skills Speaking and Writing 1. Use oral/written skills to organize, deliver and evaluate information (Course LO 1,2,3,4, 5) Reading 1. Comprehend, interpret and evaluate information (Course LO 1, 2, 3, 4, 5) Listening 1. Follow instructions, procedures and guidelines effectively (Course LO 1, 2, 3, 4, 5) 2. Provide and express meaningful and productive feedback (Course LO 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)

Job Skills Transferrable Apply acquired knowledge and skills to assigned job or task (computer skill, communication skill) Life Skills III.2.1Recognize and Respect the perspectives of others (Course LO 8) III.2.3 Value cooperation and collaboration III.4. 1 Using technology –utilize electronic media to communicate, locate or retrieve information III.4.2 Apply technology to locate, interpret, organize and present information (LO3, 4)

Methods of Instructions: Students will take notes on lectures by the instructor and participate in class discussions. Students will work individually, in pairs, in groups to critique, to review as well as perform selected myths and legends. This course is also utilizing the Service Learning Pedagogy to get the students (Sam 204, 251) into the community to practice what they have learnt in class via interviewing skills, practicing attentive listening skills and recording the elderly’s stories, editing and crosschecking with them to make sure they have captured accurately. The final copy of the booklet (Ne’i Solo le falute) will be given to the elderly. Students are also required to observe the recording of Samoan history and indigenous narratives (tala o le vavau) by joining the Samoan Studies Office “Tala le ta’ui” project recording local legends and narratives during selected Saturdays. Any recording equipment (digital camera, video camera) will be a bonus for gathering a more accurate interview with participants in the community.

2 (Grading Scale):

100-95% = A 94-90% = A- 89-87% = B+ 86-83% = B 82-80% = B- 79-77% = C+ 76-73% = C 72-70% = C- 69-67% = D+ 66-63% = D 62-60% = D- Below 60% = F

Specific Requirements (Grading):

1. Listening Assignments (listening rubric) a. Listening activities (5)* LO 2 SLO 1.3.1 10% 2. Performance of selected myth (grp) LO 2 SLO 1.2.1, 1.3.1 10% 3. Analysis of online sources for Samoan myths & legends LO4 SLO 1.3.1 05% 4. MIDTERM (Theory, literary elements & role myths play in Samoan society) LO1-4 SLO1.1.1, 1.2.1 20% 5. Special Project OR Research –Village myths Interviewing elders (SLearning) LO 2,4 SLO1.1.1, 1.2.1, 1.3.1 30% 6. Final individual Folasaga (ppt...) LO 1-4, SLO 1.1.1, 1.2.1, 1.3.1, 1.3.2 10% 7. Quiz LO 2 SLO 1.3.1 05% 8. Participation & Attendance 10% Total 100% *Listening activities include : Myth listening comps, Dictations, journaling responses to : peer, instructor and outside presentation

Attendance & Late Assignment Policy: All students attending ASCC are expected to attend all of their scheduled classes. Students with excessive absences during the first two weeks of instruction will be administratively dropped. A student cannot exceed six (6) absences for Monday, Wednesday, Friday classes, four (4) absences for Tuesday, Thursday classes; and three (3) absences for summer sessions. Students with excessive absences, in accordance to this policy, will receive a lower or failing grade for the semester or session. A student can be excused from classes at the discretion or upon verification by the instructor, for the following reasons: medical reasons, family emergency, special curricular activities, military obligations, jury duty, and related official College sponsored activities. It is the responsibility of the student to make arrangements with his/her instructor(s) for work to be made up for absences due to legitimate reasons. Students are required to submit in writing, justifications or provide appropriate documentation for absences to the Dean of Academic Affairs and when appropriate the Dean of Institution of Trades & Technology (ITT) for approval. Veteran students are to refer to the Student Services Veterans Educational Assistance sections for additional attendance requirements.

Important Dates: 7th -12th Jan 2010 (Add/Drop Period) 11th Jan 2010 Instructions begin 13-29th Jan 2010 (Administrative Drop & Drop Only Period) Feb1st -March 12th (Withdrawal Period to receive a “W”) March 15th -Apr 1st (Withdrawal Period to Receive a “W/F” or “W/NP”) Spring break April 12th -16th 2010 Midterm –March 1st -5th 2010

3 Time Schedule (subject to change)

Schedule Assignments Week 1-2 1. Introduction & Syllabus & Major Assignments 1. Listening 1 (Wed) 2. What is myth? 3. Samples of local myths and legends: 2. Listening 2 (Wed) 4. Rdgs 1: Tala o le Vavau?Origins 3. Individual Presentation of what “Tala o le Tala le ta’ui & Samoan Ne’i galo –tala Vavau is” and explanation of favorite Samoan o le vavau mai Samoanalua myths & legend. Significance of faaSamoa value Mythology of Oceania promoted to self and society. (Rubric : Individual 5. Groups for myths performance (Wk3) Presentation DUE: Fri wk 2 6. Introduction to Special Project/SL

Week3- 4 1. Archetypes of locals myths, legends 1. Listening 3 2. Guest Speaker on Tala o le Vavau 2. Performance of selected myth (grp) a. Rdgs 3: Mythology of Oceania/Tala le DUE : Fri wk 4) Taui/Tala o le Vavau 3. Participation & Attendance rubric 3. Intro to Group work on myth 4. Lectures on : i) Archetypes of locals myths, legends; ii) commonalities iii) the way forward understanding the future by looking at the past 5. Update : Special Project & Service Learning 6. Review elderly interview a. Class panel

Rdgs 4: Mythology of Oceania/Tala le Taui/Tala o le Vavau

Week 5-6 1. Talanoa/Faafaletui Method –discussions of 1. Listening 4 student selected myths from : 2. Tala le Ta’ui Quiz (Wed Wk 6) Rdgs 5: Mythology of Oceania/Tala le 3. Outline of Interview Qs Taui/Tala o le Vavau  Class panel Special Project/Service Learning

Week 6 1. Analysis & report of online sources from SSI 1. Analysis & report of online sources Lab computer research on Samoan myths (Rdgs SSI Lab computer research on Samoan myths 6: online Misi Tana collection and others) (Rdgs 6: online Misi Tana collection and others) Special Project/Service Learning

Week 7 & Week 8 1. Listening 5 2. Presentation –Ways of presenting information – 1. MIDTERM 20% powerpoint (lecture) Theory, literary elements of myths 4 Rdgs 7: Mythology of Oceania/Tala le  Expository Essay rubric (4 essays) Taui/Tala o le Vavau

3. Comparisons with other islands 4. Special Project/Service Learning 5. The role of Samoan myths in promoting faasamoa 6. Impact of Myths, Legends & Bible on Samoan literature Week 9 1. Final Special Project & Service Learning 1. Talanoa Method/Faafaletui understanding Samoan myths Rdgs 8: Mythology of Oceania/Tala le Taui/Tala o le Vavau Week 10 1. Folasaga : Final Special Project & Service 1. Final Special Project & Service Learning Learning 2. Final Presentations (Individual folasaga rubric) 2. Course Evaluation 3. Final booklet Service Learning 3. Final 4. Rubrics : 5. Individual folasaga 6. Group folasaga 7. Expository Essay /Research Paper 8. Listening 9. Participation and Attendance

“Ia o gatasi le futia ma le umele” (Pratt 1977:122) –Let the stand and the sinnet ring for holding the foot of the fishing rod be equally strong. Applied to an undertaking where two must act together and which will miscarry if one is less in earnest than the other.