Samoa Social Studies - Year 9

This course introduces students to the diverse and dynamic nature of society, focusing on Samoa. Students develop knowledge and understanding of how cultures, societies, and environments interact. They learn to investigate social issues, make decisions, and work cooperatively. The course emphasizes participation as informed, confident, and responsible citizens.

Unit 1: Resources and Economic Activities

This unit explores the nature of resources and how people use them. Students learn about different types of environments, including natural, home, social, and local environments. They investigate the concepts of renewable and non-renewable resources and how conflicts can arise from resource use.

• Our Environment: This topic introduces the concept of "environment" and its different types. Students explore how Samoa's environment provides for basic needs.
• Our Resources: This topic defines resources and differentiates between natural and man-made resources. Students learn about renewable and non-renewable resources.
• Our Land Resources: This topic examines land as a fixed resource and explores how land is used in Samoa, including customary, freehold, and government-owned land.
• Our Rainforests: This topic highlights the importance of rainforests, their role in the ecosystem, and the consequences of deforestation.
• Our Water: This topic focuses on water as a vital resource, its sources, uses, and the importance of conservation.
• Our Marine Resources: This topic explores marine resources, fishing methods (subsistence and commercial), and the impact of over-exploitation.

Unit 2: Economic Activities

This unit focuses on economic activities and their impact on resource use. Students learn about production, trade, goods and services, and the barter system. They also examine the different types of work people do, including paid and unpaid work.

• Producing Goods: This topic introduces the concept of "goods" and how they are produced.
• The Work People Do: This topic explores the different types of work people do and the reasons why people work. It differentiates between goods and services and between paid and unpaid work.

Unit 3: Sharing Resources

This unit examines how people allocate, distribute, and manage resources through economic activities. Students learn about different systems of exchange, including the barter system and the monetary system. They also explore ceremonial exchanges and the importance of resource management for future generations.

• Allocation of Resources: This topic introduces the concepts of allocation, distribution, and management of resources. It emphasizes the importance of planning and wise management.
• Distribution of Resources: This topic explores different systems of exchange, including barter and monetary systems, and examines ceremonial exchanges.
• Managing Resources: This topic focuses on the importance of resource management and conservation. It explores the role of forests and the impact of logging.

Unit 4: Being Part of a Group

This unit explores the concept of social groups and how they are organized. Students learn about different types of groups, including primary and secondary groups. They examine decision-making processes within groups and explore Samoan social organization, including the family (aiga) and village structures. The unit also introduces the social and political systems of Tonga as a comparative example.

• Groups We Belong To: This topic introduces the concept of social groups and explores the different groups students belong to.
• Types of Groups: This topic differentiates between primary and secondary groups and provides examples of each.
• Samoan Social Organisation: This topic examines Samoan social organization, focusing on the family (aiga) and village structures.
• Tonga: This topic introduces Tonga's geography, history, and social organization, including family structure and the roles of women, as a comparative example. It also explores Tonga's political system.