Singapore University of Social Sciences

Understanding Singapore Society

Understanding Singapore Society (TLL215)

Applications Open: 01 May 2023

Applications Close: 15 June 2023

Next Available Intake: July 2023

Course Types: Modular Undergraduate Course

Language: Tamil

Duration: 6 months

Fees: $1378 View More Details on Fees

Area of Interest: Linguistics and Languages

Schemes: Alumni Continuing Education (ACE)

Funding: To be confirmed

School/Department: School of Humanities & Behavioural Sciences


Synopsis

Singapore’s transformation from ‘developing country’ to ‘First World’ is often considered exemplary. However, the island-city-nation-state also represents an exceptional case. In attempting to understand Singapore as a society and Singaporeans as a people, TLL215 Understanding Singapore Society first explores its historical roots in pre-modern Southeast Asia and its evolution as a port city and British colony. Against the backdrop of the politics of decolonisation, we examine the formation of Singapore as a nation-state, especially the impact of state-led modernisation in shaping everyday life and social development. In so doing, we analyse the interrelationships between political rule, economic structure, and cultural change. In particular, we focus on themes such as globalisation; nation-building and citizenship; ethnicity; language and religion; population planning and the family; class and gender; and civil society. This course will be delivered in Tamil.

Level: 2
Credit Units: 5
Presentation Pattern: Every July

Topics

  • Singapore Society as a field of study சிங்கப்பூர் சமூகம் - ஓர் ஆய்வுத் துறை
  • Singapore in historical perspective வரலாற்றுக் கண்ணோட்டத்தில் சிங்கப்பூர்
  • Nationhood, nation-building, and nationalisation தேசம், தேசத்தைக் கட்டியெழுப்புதல் மற்றும் தேசியமயமாக்கல்
  • State-led modernisation அரசு முன்னெடுத்த நவீனமயமாக்கல்
  • Ethnicity, language and politics of identity இனம், மொழி மற்றும் அடையாள அரசியல்
  • Religion மதம்
  • Meritocracy and education தகுதி மற்றும் கல்வி
  • Social inequality சமூக சமத்துவமின்மை
  • Family patterns and gender relations குடும்ப அமைப்புகள் மற்றூம் பாலின உறவுகள்
  • Migration புலம்பெயர்வு
  • The state and the society அரசும் சமூகமும்
  • The development of civil society குடிமைச் சமூகத்தின் வளர்ச்சி

Learning Outcome

  • Demonstrate an analytical and holistic knowledge of Singapore as a society: its past, present and future.
  • Discuss the promises and challenges facing contemporary Singapore.
  • Analyse the interrelationships between polity, economy, culture, and social structure in Singapore.
  • Apply knowledge and understanding of Singapore society to everyday life.
  • Examine the logic of policy and the efficacy of policy responses to contemporary issues.
  • Develop independent and critical thinking in questioning conventional wisdom, especially in light of new challenges.
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