Wahi Pana: Mythology of the Landscape, is designed to illuminate Hawaiian intelligence regarding the geographic features of these islands. Students will undertake a basic study of the natural sciences from a Western/modern perspective. They will then look at various Hawaiian chants and epic tales to explore the connections with indigenous knowledge forms found in a Hawaiian worldview. Cross-cultural comparisons are made with the goal of bringing forth specific, physical information about important Hawaiian places. Students will gain cultural awareness of their surroundings through the bridging of geography and the mythology studied, thus creating a more Hawaiian sense-of-place in our community.
REL 205.
Grade of “C” or better in HWST 107, or HWST 270.
- Students will compare and contrast landscape descriptions, mythology, and human behavior from different cultural perspectives.
- Students will analyze Hawaiian mythology as it applies to Hawaiian place names, Native Hawaiian social history, and Native Hawaiian relationship to the natural environment.
- The student will explain the importance of place in the island ecosystem and the values of environmental sustainability.