American Samoa: Paradise Lost?

Series: Intertel Series

Duration: 55

Genre: Documentary | Ethnographic

Year Published: 1968

Creator: WNET/13

Format: 16mm

Color: B&W

Sound: sound

Description: Depicts the influence and challenge the United States governing authority is having upon the traditional life of the Polynesians in American Samoa. Discusses both the advantages of American-introduced educational technology such as educational television, and the potential conflict between western goals of education and the cultural values of Samoa. Explains that the traditional Samoan values emphasize obedience to family authority, and western education stresses independence of thought., Shows that the traditional life of the Polynesians of American Samoa is being altered and challenged by its governing authority, the United States, and that a potential conflict exists between the western goals of education which stress independent thinking and the cultural values of Samoa which emphasize obedience to the family and respect for authority.

Complete Record: Depicts the influence and challenge the United States governing authority is having upon the traditional life of the Polynesians in American Samoa. Discusses both the advantages of American-introduced educational technology such as educational television, and the potential conflict between western goals of education and the cultural values of Samoa. Explains that the traditional Samoan values emphasize obedience to family authority, and western education stresses independence of thought., NOTE: Two (or more) records have been merged together to create this data.