Program Overview

Course Overview

The course HIST 323, Māori Textual Cultures in the Nineteenth-Century World: Ngā Tuhinga a Ngā Tūpuna, explores the vast array of texts produced by Māori in the 19th century. This unique set of materials and histories offers students a deep dive into the textual cultures of Aotearoa New Zealand and the world beyond.

Course Details

• Dates: 23 February 2026 to 21 June 2026
• Starts: Trimester 1
• Fees:
  • Domestic students: NZ$1,156.00
  • International students: NZ$5,893.60
• Lecture Start Times: Wednesday, 9.00am
• Campus: Kelburn
• Estimated Workload: Approximately 200 hours or 11.8 hours per week for 17 weeks
• Points: 20 points

Entry Restrictions

• Prerequisites: 40 points from (ANTH/CLAS/ENGL/HIST/MAOR/RELI 200-299, EDUC 223)
• Corequisites: None
• Restrictions: None

Course Structure

The course is delivered primarily on campus with online accessibility. It includes one lecture and one seminar per week, starting from week 2.

Assessment

• Biographical Essay or Oral/Video Presentation: 30%
• Research Essay: 40%
• Seminar Posts: 5%
• Seminar Poster Presentation with 500-word Reflection: 25%

Mandatory Requirements

To pass the course, students must:

1. Make a credible attempt at the written work specified for this course.
2. Sit the class test.
3. Participate in a minimum of seven seminars.

Lecture Times and Rooms

Lecture times are from 23 February 2026 to 5 April 2026 and 20 April 2026 to 31 May 2026.

What You'll Need to Get

No specific texts or equipment are required for this course.

Taught By

The course is taught by the School of History, Philosophy, Political Science and International Relations, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences.

Disclaimer

This course outline may be subject to change.

Key Dates

Important dates, including mid-trimester teaching breaks, can be found on the University's key dates calendar. Assessment dates will be announced once the course has begun.

About This Course

This course offers a unique opportunity to explore Māori textual cultures in the 19th century, integrating historical research and analysis of written texts. It welcomes students from all backgrounds and encourages the use of Te Reo Māori, though it is not a prerequisite.

Course Learning Objectives

Students who pass this course should be able to:

1. Outline the broad shape of 19th-century Māori alphabetic reading and writing practices.
2. Interpret a variety of 19th-century Māori written texts and integrate historical research into these analyses.
3. Summarize major historiographical debates concerning 19th-century Māori literacy and literary practices.