INTRODUCTION

Created from volcanic lava, the Hawaiian Islands are rich in myth and folklore. This Interim course (IDIS W38) is taught on Oahu, Kaui, Maui, and Hawaii. Students are exposed to the underlying suppositions of ancient Hawaiian myths, legends, and folklore. Participants are shown how to observe, record, and comment on Hawaiian landscape and culture using digital imagery as a basis for their visual narratives. Students are immersed in the principles and practices of ancient storytelling and will construct a visual narrative on their view of life, faith, and social conditions as they encounter them on the islands.

OBJECTIVES

• Expose students to underlying suppositions of ancient Hawaiian myths, legends and folklore from the viewpoint of aboriginal Hawaiians.

• Gain insight in the principles & practices of their ancient storytelling.

• Learn to discern and, where appropriate, adapt to the cultural expectations of Hawaiians.

• Distinguish between enduring principles of human morality and situation-specific adaptations.

• Witness other visual embodiments of faith, reflect on the substance and definition of their own faith by comparison.

• Observe, record and comment on Hawaiian landscape and visual culture using digital imagery as a basis for a visual narrative.

• Construct a visual narrative on their suppostions of faith & life as they encounter visual culture in the Hawaiian Islands.