My Independent Study Project

Okay, lets talk academics....so, my SIT Samoa program is basically an independent study program, and we are reaching the point in the program where it is time to independently study. I have decided to focus my study on politics (partly because I promised my advisor at Villanova that I would research a political science topic here so that I didnt have to take a similar course back at school... I figured if I could get credit for a difficult research class  in 80 degree weather near a beach- it was a good idea to do so) In order to understand my research topic, I need to give you a little background on Samoan politics...
Samoa has been independent since 1962. Although Samoa is a democracy, there are many elements of Samoan culture that are included in politics, so democracy functions differently here. For example, only matai (the chiefs of villages) were allowed to vote up until 1990-when universal suffrage was introduced, and even today you will find that the prime minister and the members of parliment hold many, highly respected matai titles. The complexity of the fa'asamoa and politics is very confusing-especially to explain in a little blog like this- but just understand, Samoan culture greatly influences and drives political activity. Although Samoa is a democracy, it has often been a 1 party state. The Human Rights Protection Party has dominated politics in Samoa. Currently, the party basically controls the country uncontested by any political opposition. However, there are general elections in March of 2011, and therefore opponants of the HRPP are attempting challenge the party and create a formal opposition. I am going to research the formation of the opposition party, and look at the challenges of creating an opposition to the HRPP- which has been incredibly successful in maintaining popular support and control of the country. Add one part political parties and two parts Samoan cultural influence on politics and you have the recipe for my research paper-in a nut shell.
During the month of November we dont take any classes, and we are free to roam around the country and study our topics. I am planning to interview some members of government, some academics and some villagers to get a nice range of opinions and feelings on politics. At the end of the month, we present on our topic and turn in a 40 page research paper- then we pack up and head home...