Welcome to the American Samoa Community College Samoa Studies Institute Book Page.
Welcome to the American Samoa Community College Samoa Studies Institute Book Page.
The Samoan Studies Department (SSD) prepares students to be knowledgeable and skillful in the Samoan culture emphasizing the eight cultural traits of language, knowledge, religion, social organization, political organization, livelihood, trade and exchange, as well as technology and equipment.
E saunia e le Matagaluega o A’oa’oga ma Su’esu’ega Samoa tagata aooga ina ia atamamai ma faatufugaina i le aganuu Samoa ma fa’atāua ai agafaavae e valu o le gagana, malamalama, tapuaiga, aga fesootai, aga faaletulafono, aga faalesiosiomaga, fefaatauaiga, tekonolosi ma mea faigaluega. To fulfill this mission, the Samoan Studies Department offers the following degree and certificate programs:
1st Year General Education: 36 credits
2nd Year General Education: 36 credits
TOTAL CREDITS: 72 CREDITS
Program Recommended: 12 credits
TOTAL CREDITS: 72 CREDITS
Program Recommended: 12 CREDITS
Note: Program Recommended course(s) are to fulfill program requirements with approval of the department chair and the Dean of Academic Affairs.
General Education: 12 credits
Program Requirements: 20 credits
TOTAL CREDITS: 32 CREDITS
(Faamatalaina o Mataupu tau Samoa)
This is a Conversational Samoan language course at the elementary level. The focus is on enunciation, vocabulary building and the correct use of words in directed fundamental dialoguing, which should transit to more student-oriented conversation. Upon completion, students should become comfortably fluent enough to continue with further training in SAM 101B and SAM 111 at ASCC or learning on their own. This course is intended for non-speakers; beginning speakers of the Samoan Language and can be taken as an elective. (Note: 3 lecture credits)
SAM 101A Talanoaga Faasamoa 1 (3)
E mafuli le tele o felafolafoa'iga i le faatautaiga o talanoaga Faasamoa ma e tā'ua lenei mataupu o le vasega muamua. E a'oa'o le faaleoga sa'o o upu, fauga o upu, o le faaaogaga sa 'o o upu i totonu o se talanoaga ma i'u ai ina agavaa le tagata e faaaoga le gagana Samoa e feso'ota'i ai. O le a faaosofia le lagona fiafia i le tagata a'oga e fia a'oa'o pea le gagana Samoa ma faaauau atu ai i le isi vasega e tā'ua o le SAM 101B po o le SAM 111 i le Kolisi Tuufaatasi o Amerika Samoa, po o le faia fo'i o ni sailiiliga. O lenei vasega e mo tagata e lë iloa Faasamoa; tagata fa'ato'ā tau a'o le Faasamoa, ae maise ai le aogā o lenei vasega e faaatoa ai togi o polokalama. (Faaaliga: 3 togi)
This is a conversational Samoan Language course for students who are able to speak limited Samoan, and wish to transit into writing dialogues, messages, verses, nursery rhymes, and simple directions. The focus will be on structure of basic Samoan sentences. (Note: 3 lecture credits)
SAM 101B: Talanoaga Faasamoa 2 (3)
O lenei mataupu o Talanoaga Faasamoa e mo tagata aooga ua tau iloa faaaoga le gagana Samoa, ma ua iai fo'i le naunauta 'iga e amata ona tusitusi, tauloto, ma faatino faatonuga faigofie. O le faamoemoe o lenei vasega e ātīa'e ai le kalama o le fuaiupu Samoa. (Faaaliga: 3 togi)
This is an introductory course in Samoan writing and speaking, grammar and usage of contemporary and commonly used respectful Samoan phrases. Students enrolled are recommended to write and speak fluent Samoan. (Note: 3 lecture credits)
SAM 111: Faamasaniga i le Gagana Samoa (3)
O lenei mataupu amata i le gagana Samoa e a'oa'o ai tusitusiga ma tautalaga, faaaogaga o le kalama ma le gagana faaonaponei ma le gagana faaaloalo masani. E fautuaina tagata aooga e tusitusi ma tautatala manino i le gagana Samoa. (Faaaliga: 3 togi)
This is an intensive course in formal Samoan speaking and writing. Students are required to write narrative, descriptive, expository and persuasive compositions. The speaking aspect closely follows writing during the laboratory periods. Critical thinking, effective speaking and reading with a purpose will also be stressed. (Note: 3 lecture credits; Students are required to take both lecture and lab during the same semester)
SAM 151: Gagana Samoa Tausaga Muamua (3)
O lenei mataupu e faataunuu ai a'oa'oga ua tuutuu i le loloto o le gagana tautala ma le tusitusi. E tatau i tagata aooga ona tusia ni tala i se mea na tupu, faamatalaga auiliili o se mea, vailiiliga o itu uma o se mataupu ma le faaaogaga o le gagana faatosina. E mulimulita'i le gagana tautala i le gagana tusitusi i le taimi o faatinoga a lea mataupu. E Ofaamalosia le faaaogaga o mafaufauga ua ua'i loloto, e o'o fo'i i le tautala aloa'ia ma le faitau malamalama. (Faaaliga: 3 togi)
The students will undergo drills, with the aid of video cameras and other equipment to develop critical thinking, read with a purpose, and write in the style that targeted readers would understand and appreciate. They will visit selected cultural activities to observe orators and review/write analytically. (Note: 1 lab credit; Students are required to take both lecture and lab during the same semester).
SAM 151L: Gagana Samoa Tausaga Muamua (Vasega Faatino) (1)
O le a fa'ata'ita'i e tagata aooga le faiga o galuega faatino, e faaaoga ai mea pu'eata ma isi masini e ātīa'e ai mafaufauga ua'i loloto, faitau malamalama, ma tusitusi i se gagana e mafai ona malamalama ma fiafia i ai se 'au faitau. E māta itu le faatinoga o faalavelave Faasamoa ma mātau le faiga o le lauga a tulafale ma iloilo/tusitusi auiliili. (Faaaliga: 1 togi)
This is an introductory course to Samoan culture. Students will discuss and analyze cultural aspects of the faasamoa such as appropriate language, and appropriate behavior in varying spatial contexts. The concepts of extended families and their functions, land tenure, and the peopling of Samoa are also discussed. Students will be expected to express opinions on Samoan society. (Note: 3 lecture credits)
SAM 152: Faamasaniga i Aganuu a Samoa (3)
O le mataupu faamasani lenei i le aganuu Samoa. O le a lauliliu, ma iloilo e tagata aooga nisi o tu faasamoa e pei o, gagana talafeagai, amio talafeagai i ituaiga saofa'iga eseese i totonu o se nuu. E a'oa'o ai konesepi tau le aiga potopoto ma o latou aogā, fanua ma lona faasoaga ma le 'ainaina o motu o Samoa. E tatau i tagata aooga ona faaali manatu e faatatau i saofa'iga eseese a Samoa. (Faaaliga: 3 togi)
This course is required for an Associate of Arts Degree in Samoan Studies. Students will be able to review ancient Samoan literature and history through historical oral recitations of "solo" that are manifested in everyday life: the 'ava ceremony, traditional speeches (lauga), marriage (tini), chants and meditation (tapuaiga). Students will be introduced to other popular forms of history, songs, myths, legends, fagogo, humor (faleaitu), and contemporary stories. Students will study the impact of the Bible on Samoan literature. (Note: 3 lecture credits)
SAM 154: Faamasaniga i Tala Faamauina a Samoa (3)
O le tasi lenei mataupu faamalosia mo le tikeri AA i le gagana ma aganuu Samoa. I lenei mataupu o le a mafai e tagata aooga ona iloilo tala o le vavau ma le tala faasolopito e ala atu i ana solo o aso fai soo: ava, lauga, tini, tapuaiga. O le a faamasani fo'i tagata aooga i isi ituaiga tala faasolopito, pese, tala o le vavau, fagogo, faleaitu ma tala faaonaponei. O le a su'esu'e tagata aooga i le aafiaga o gagana faamauina a Samoa i le Tusi Paia. (Faaaliga: 3 togi)
This is an analytical survey of Samoa's traditional political system: its organization, operation, the changes that took place over the years, and the influence of the missionaries and Western political systems. (Note: 3 lecture credits)
SAM 172: Faigamalo Faasamoa (3)
O le mataupu lenei e iloilo ai upufai o malo a Samoa: i lona faatulagaga, faagaoioiga ma suiga i tausaga na tauasa mai ai, ma le aafiaga ona o misionare ma faatulagaga o malo mai fafo. (Faaaliga: 3 togi)
Students will survey Samoan myths and legends as a genre of literature, be introduced to theory on mythology, study the literary elements in indigenous myths, acquire a view of the commonalities among Polynesian myths, typology, and archetypes, and think critically and analytically of Samoan mythology and its dynamics. (Note: 3 lecture credits)
SAM 204: Tala o le Vavau a Samoa (3)
O le mataupu lenei e faatatau i tala o le vavau a Samoa ma o le a faamasani ai tagata aooga i tala tuu ma tala o le vavau i lona sionalei faamaumau. O le a sailiili e tagata aooga tala o le vavau i lalo o faatufugaga po o le sionalei tau fatuga, faamasani i pitofilo tau tala o le vavau, a'oa'o elemeni o tala o le vavau a tagatanuu muamua, a'oa'o mai ni tala e tutusa ai le atu Polenisia, i ni ona ituaiga ma mamanu taatele, atoa ai ma le māta itu ma le iloilo toto'a o tala o le vavau a Samoa i ni ona tafa eseese. (Faaaliga: 3 togi)
Prerequisite: SAM 111
This course is a study of Samoa's existing "faleaitu" as a genre of Samoan literature. Students will be able to think analytically and critically of Samoan humor in entertainment, the indigenous theatrical presentation of "faleaitu," and the use of "faleaitu" as voice of the common people. Satire, irony, ridicule and comical character sketches are studied. (Note: 3 lecture credits)
SAM 244: Faleaitu (3)
Mataupu Ulufale: SAM 111
O le mataupu lenei e aoaoina ai faleaitu faaleatunuu i lona faatufugaga faafatuga moni a Samoa. O le a mafai ona iloilo ma faitio e tagata aooga suaga i taimi o faafiafiaga faasamoa, le faatinoga e tagatanuu o lenei faatufugaga o faiva, ma le faaaogaga o le faleaitu e tauala atu ai se feau mai tagata lautele. E aoaoina ai foi le faaaogaga o le tausuauīgā e tauala atu ai faitioga i ni lape o tagatanuu, faamatalaga tuufaafeagai, taufaifai ma le taufa'a'ata. (Faaaliga: 3 togi)
Prerequisite: SAM 151/151L
This is a second-year course in research methods with emphasis on Samoan composition. The student will conduct research of Samoan Studies topics using Modern Language Association approved research methodology. Focus will be on published materials on Samoan Studies in any field of choice. (Note: 3 lecture credits)
SAM 251: Gagana Samoa mo le Tausaga Lua (3)
Mataupu Ulufale: SAM 151/151L
O le mataupu o le tausaga lua lenei i metotia tau Suesuega e faapitoaugafa i tusiga Faasamoa. O le a faatino e le tagata aoga se suesuega i mataupu tau Samoa e faaaoga ai le faatulagaga taualoa o le Asosi o Gagana Faaonaponei (Modern Language Association e limata'ita 'ina ai sailiiliga. O le a faataua lomiga e faatatau i mataupu Samoa, i soo se matātā. (Faaaliga: 3 togi)
Prerequisite: SAM 152
This course introduces students to techniques of organizing and delivering speeches in various cultural settings. Major course work consists of discussing oratorical language and its application to the different cultural occasions, speech content, and performing this art of Samoa. (Note: 3 lecture credits)
SAM 262: Gagana Faafailauga Samoa (3)
Mataupu Ulufale: SAM 152
O le mataupu lenei e faamasani ai tagata aooga i alafua e faatulaga ma momoli ai lauga i soo se ituaiga saofaiga faaleaganuu. O le tele o le galuega faatino e aofia ai le iloiloga o le gagana faafailauga ma lona faaaogaga i faalavelave ma mataupu tau le aganuu, iloiloga o le anofale o le lauga atoa ai ma le faatinoga o lenei faatufugaga faaatisi a le atunuu. (Faaaliga: 3 togi)
Prerequisite: SAM 151/151L
This is a course to creative writing via "Solo," satire, humor and short stories told with a Samoan flair. Narrative, descriptive, expository and persuasive forms are also taught. (Note: 3 lecture credits)
SAM 271 Fatuga po o Tusiga Tala Faasamoa (3)
Mataupu Ulufale: SAM 151/151L
O se mataupu lenei tau tusigā tala fatu e ala atu i solo, tusiga e faaaoga ai le tausuauīgā e tauala atu ai faitioga i ni lape o tagatanuu, tala taufa'a'ata atoa ai ma tala e tusia i le agaga Faasamoa. E a'oa'oina ai foi tusiga o mea tutupu i olaga o tagata, tusiga e faamatala ai foliga mai o se mea, tusiga e faailoa ma iloilo ai se mataupu ma le ituaiga tusitusiga faatauanau pe faatosina. (Faaaliga: 3 togi)
Prerequisite: SAM 151/151L
This course introduces students to the general rules and skills of translation and interpretation; i.e., translating English words without Samoan equivalents. Students study and analyze translations in local papers and visit the courts to observe and critique court interpreters. (Note: 3 lecture credits)
SAM 281: Faaliliuga Faasamoa (3)
Mataupu Ulufale: SAM 151/151L
O le mataupu lenei e faamasani ai tagata aooga i tulafono lautele ma agavaa tau faaliliuga ma faauigaga, e pei o le faaliliuga o upu Peretania i upu Samoa. E aoaoina ma iloilo foi e tagata aooga faaliliuga i nusipepa i le lotoifale ma asiasi atu i le faamasinoga e māta 'itū ma auiliili le galuega faaliliu a tagata faaliliu i lea matātā. (Faaaliga: 3 togi)
Prerequisite: SAM 151/151L
This course introduces students to methods of gathering, writing and disseminating news, and other types of pertinent information through the media -printed or aired. Students study freedom of speech, censorship, and libel laws. (Note: 3 lecture credits)
SAM 291: Tusitusiga a le 'Au Faasalalau i le Gagana Samoa (3)
Mataupu Ulufale: SAM 151/151L
O le mataupu lenei e faamasani ai tagata aooga i metotia o le aoina, tusiga ma le faasalalauina o talafou, ma isi faamatalaga i ala eseese o faasalalauga e ala i le lolomi poo o le faasalalauina i le ea. O le a aoaoina e tagata aooga saolotoga i le gagana, tapulaa o faamatalaga ma tulafono i le ta 'uleagaina o se tagata. (Faaaliga: 3 togi)
Prerequisite: SAM 291
This exit course aims to examine theoretical and practical issues of Samoan language. It focuses on academic literacy discourses and practices in a Samoan classroom. This course also covers research and the understanding of the needs of heritage learners in the community and creates language materials accordingly. Furthermore, this last class sums up the series of Samoan language courses slated for the Samoan Language Certification program. Students are required to complete the first capstone component for the SAM 299A Research Paper, and in due time, finish the semester by passing the SAM 299B Final Comprehensive Test. (Note: 4 lecture credits)
SAM 299: Vasega Ulufafo mo le Tusi Tomai Aloa'ia i le A'oina o le Gagana Samoa (4)
Mataupu Ulufale: SAM 291
O le sini autu o lenei vasega ulufafo e lauliliu ai mataupu faasikola ma faiga tau a'oa'oga o le gagana Samoa. O le a tulituliloa mataupu tau tusitusi ma le gagana fofogaina i totonu o le potu aoga Samoa. O le a sailiili fo'i i su'esu'ega ma le lauliliuga o mana'oga o sikola o le Faasamoa i nuu ma alaalafaga ma ātīna'e tamaoaiga faalemafaufau tau gagana. E lē gata i lea, o lenei vasega mulimuli e taualuga ai le faasologa o vasega o le gagana Samoa na faatulaga mo le polokalama o le Tusi Tomai Aloa'ia i le A'oina o le Gagana Samoa poo le "Samoan Language Certification." E lua vaega tūpito o lenei vasega e tatau ona tulimata'i, o le SAM 299A e fai ai le Pepa o Su'esu'ega, ona faauma ai lea o le vaituuaga faaleaoaoga i le su'eina o le SAM 299B Su'ega Fa'ai'u Aoaotetele. (Faaaliga: 4 togi)