Taught by: Dr Lai Ah Eng
Content (Structure/Organization): -
Dr Lai didn't teach much. She just tells stories, and have students present in almost every class. The module is sectioned into parts like race relations, immigration, etc, but there isn't really a clear teaching outcome, especially because about every class seems to be taught by students. So quality of each section differs. Every class feels like information dump (which might just be the case for history classes?).
Accessibility and Assessment: 5
very accessible, Dr Lai tells a lot of stories about singapore history and being one of the early academics on the matter of multiculturalism in singapore, the content is quite similar to social studies/ gp classes. So even someone with 0 background probably can get a big picture of singapore's multiculturalism.
Manageability of Workload: 5
It's very light if 1) you don't try to finish all 3 readings for each class (she had 2-3 reading presentations per class) 2) don't listen in class (most ppl in my class dont seem to be paying attention, I sat at the back and saw their laptop screens) 3) don't spend too much time and effort on the assignments (i generally took 1-2 days for the first 2 assignments, and about 3 days for the final paper, including ideation and researching).
I didn't do any readings past the first week. Though for the assignments she require you to cite at least 2-3 of the readings she assigned. I just did the readings when I needed citations or ideas.
There are 3 main assignments: project 1, project 2, final paper. Project 1 was a personal reflection sort of piece for students to write about their family history. I don't know what she requires of people who "have nth interesting" for their family history, but she probably just wants students to identify history and multiculturalism in their family. Project 2 was for "field work", where most students are to travel to a heritage site, or conduct interviews and whatnot to write about a place, festival, musical instrument, etc. You can choose your topic, subject to her approval, and if you leave it to her to assign, she might assign you things like "mixed music", whatever that really means. I wrote about the concept of citizenship, but she complained it sounded more like a final paper. For final paper, she gives a list of topics (like 10+ topics) each with some prompts and "questions". The qns are pretty bad, and I didn't make it my thesis, but I did try to be relevant. But yes, if you want light workload don't spend too much time travelling about for project 2 and the final paper, even if the final paper is 50%.
She even gave us the last 2?? weeks off (no class) to write the final paper. That was truly a blessing. I went to study for other mods instead and only wrote the final paper a few days before it was due.
Disclaimer: other's experience might differ.
Ease/Difficulty of Attaining Grades:
idk about A, I got A- and,, yea what I did was described in the workload section
Presence of Technical Learning:
no
Learning Value/Recommendation: 1
About the Instructor:
Dr Lai is definitely knowledgeable, and I respect her as an academic. But she doesn't teach well, and she sounds a bit like a Karen. I don't think I learnt much but could be just me.
Content (Structure/Organization): -
content was not bad if you're learning about race/culture in singapore for the first time
Accessibility and Assessment: -
Manageability of Workload: 4
workload is p managable. 2 x ~1000 word assignments (the WC is flexible on these), 3 presentations (individual: class reading + one of the 2 assignments, group: discuss class reading) (sounds daunting but they're really just TLDR presentations and the weightage is q low), final paper is 2k-ish words. class part only 5%
Learning Value/Recommendation: 2
About the Instructor:
yo. (cracks knuckles) very long-winded, classes always overrun, when people presents and she gives comments, she goes on so many tangents, shuts down presenters a LOT, and people lose interest SO FAST. very rambly. doesn't actually teach much because all the readings are assigned to the students to present. her comments on assignments are very general. i was very unmotivated to attend her class, skipped so many sessions because i wasn't learning. also i kept correcting her on how to pronounce my name, and she still says it wrong... sis it's not that hard
Additional Comments/Word of Advice:
easy singapore studies mod to clear (assignment-wise) but emotionally draining. if you take, i suggest you prepare work to do during the class sessions so you don't die on the inside. was not a fan of the class but i cleared the requirement, just tahan.