GENERAL STUDIES SYLLABUS -FORM 5 & 6

General Studies Syllabus

FORM 5 AND 6

OBJECTIVES OF GENERAL STUDIES
 At the end of the course, the learner of General studies should be able to;
· show advanced mastery of language skills i.e. Listening, speaking, relating and writing;
· demonstrate evidence of maturity of thought expressed orally, and in writing
· show evidence of maturity in behavior analysis if issues and rational opinion and decision making;
· show awareness of contemporary issues affecting or likely to affect the society;
· participate in activities which help maintain and develop the society economical, politically, environmentally and socio-culturally
General studies for A-level in Tanzania covers 8 topics. These 8 topics are selected carefully to cope with our rapidly changing world. They are intended to widen the students understanding of different issues and to enable them to develop into informed and analytical citizens with experiences and skills that will lead to principled and effective participation in human relations at community and global levels. The topic are broken down to sub-topics. Each sub-topic has several; measurable cognitive and effective objectives to promote the students learning.

COURSE CONTENT
1. Communication
2. Culture
3. Democratic processes
4. Science and technology in development
5. Environmental issues
6. Social economic issues in Tanzania
7. Man, philosophy and religion
8. International cooperation

1.The concept of communication
· Definition of communication
· Importance of good communication
Þ Means of communication
· Basic means of communication
Þ Communication skills (reading, writing, speaking)
· How to bring out various reading skills (scanning, skimming, reviewing and surveying), reading speeds and methods
· How to listen and perceive accurately
· How to speak fluently and confidently
· Varying writing skills (competent writing for various purposes, audiences and situations) (verb forms, spelling, word choice (diction), punctuation, plurals


2.Concept and elements of culture
· Definition of culture
· Types and elements of culture and their importance
· Positive and negative elements of culture in relation to gender
· Strategies that lead to harmonious gender transformation
· How to uphold positive elements of culture
Þ Cultural Change
· Define cultural change
· Factors influencing cultural change (in the economic, political, technological and social sectors)
· advantages and disadvantages of cultural change in society (e.g. increased knowledge, mobility, increased fast communication


3.DEMOCRATIC PROCESS
Þ Aspects of democracy
· Definition democracy
· Aspects of the democratic process
· history of the democratic process
Þ Basic rights and freedom of citizens
· the 7 basic rights
Þ Responsibilities of citizens
· Definition
· Responsibilities of citizens
Þ Rule of law
· Definition of law
· Definition of rule of law
· Relationship between democracy and the rule of law /law and policy
· How to uphold the rule of law / how does the law of the
government of Tanzania affect individual rights and the
promotion of common welfare
Government organs
· the functions f the authority of the executive, the judiciary and
the legislature
· the role of the government in a democratic society
· why must the judiciary be free from political pressure?
· role of the government (security, protection and essential public
services)

4.SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IN DEVELOPMENT
Þ The concepts
· Definition of science and technology
· Major developments in science and technology
· relationship between science, technology and development
Þ The role of science and technology in
development
· the role of science and technology in modern industrial
activities, in provision of social services and in sustainable
(industrial) development
Þ Transfer of technology
· Meaning?
· Advantages and disadvantages
Þ Types of industries, their problems and
possible solutions
· Why the absence of some industries?
Þ Social services
· Definition?
· Are social services indicators of development?
· How S & T can be used to transform the social sector
· possible solutions to social needs
Þ Relationship in science and technology
· How does S & T depend on each other?
· Human effects /consequences of scientific advances and
technological change
· Community events that need changing /conserving
· Capacity for logical and scientific ways of thinking in solving
problems
· Scientific methods and aids available in learning

5.ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES
Þ Meaning and components of the environment
· definition
· Components of the environment
· Issues and problems affecting the environment
· possible solutions to environmental problems
· positive attitudes and behavior patterns towards the
environment
· Protection and conservation of the environment
Þ Natural hazards
· Definition
· Examples of natural hazards/ catastrophes /epidemics
common in Africa
· Precautionary measures to take against natural hazards

6.SOCIAL ECONOMIC ISSUE S IN TANZANIA
Þ Key social economic issues in Tanzania today
· Role of individuals, social institutions, government and
non-governmental organizations in understanding and dealing
with recurring and emerging social and economic problems.

7.MAN, PHILOSOPHY AND RELIGION
Þ The concept of philosophy
· Definition of philosophy
· Importance of philosophy
· The relationship between man and philosophy
· Major aspects of Tanzania’s life philosophy
· The role of philosophy in a man’s life
· Guiding principles of Tanzania’s philosophy (unity, peace, work, equality and love).
Þ Religion
· Definition
· Role and function of religion (in daily lives)
· Tolerance towards different faiths
· Major religions of the world
· Comparisons between practices in various religions
· How religion contributes to stability /instability in society
· Why Tanzania has no state religion.


8.INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION
Þ Foreign Policy
· Definition
· Foreign policy in Tanzania
Þ Bilateral co-operation
· Tanzania’s friendly relations with other nations
Þ Multilateral co-operation
· Objectives and implementation of regional organizations such as ; EAC, SADC, COMESA, ECOWAS
Þ The OAU
· Structure, objectives and implementation strategies
Þ International peace and understanding
· Organizations concerned with the promotion of
international peace and understanding
· Structure, objectives and implementation strategies
of NAM, SSC Commonwealth, NATO and EU
Þ The UN
· Background, structure, objectives and implementation strategies
· Objectives of different UN agencies:
· UNESCO, UNDP, UNICEF, FAO, IMF, WORLD
BANK (IBRD), WHO, UNHCR, UNEP, ILO, ICJ
(International court of Justice)
· Major implementations strategies and resolutions
adopted by UN’s different commissions e.g. the
Beijing Declaration, platform for action Agenda 21,
the Cairo conference.
· Achievements of the UN in Tanzania.
· Failures of the UN
Þ Tanzania’s foreign debt
· Meaning and definition of foreign debt
· Origin and nature of Tanzania’s foreign debt
· Implications of debt to Tanzania’s development
· Possible long /short-term solutions to the debt crisis.