Anonymous (1) AY25/26 Sem 2

About the Instructor

My Prof, Dr Michelle Lee, really did try her best at facilitating lively class discussions. Although this course is honestly quite fluff, her enthusiasm made me more onz and alert during seminars. She also conveys concepts in an accessible manner, citing relevant examples she experienced in her own life as well. Given that many people took this mod while overloading, I really appreciates how she understands that we might not be able to complete the readings, and even gives us time to read in class. If you genuinely are interested in the social impact concepts of NEP, she is a good prof for that.

Content (Structure/Organization)

The content was quite fluff, but it eased us into what IEx was going to be like, especially given how it takes a lot of work coming up with our own social impact project. Relating concepts to more theoretical readings definitely made the course more interesting. However, the final assignment was rather odd and didn't really offer much learning value (we had to interview seniors regarding their IEx project and link it to the concepts taught in class).

Manageability of Workload

Its okay to not do the readings, but ultimately it depends on the prof. Prof Lee was quite understanding towards busier students so workload generally wasn't an issue.

Ease/Difficulty of attaining grades

Prof Lee is quite reasonable with grading. As long as one participates in class and puts in effort into assignments, it should be fine.

Learning Value/Recommendation

I think it gave a good and polished introduction about what IEx is about, however applying the taught concepts in real life may be challenging.

Anonymous (2) AY25/26 Sem 2

About the Instructor

Prof Wing was able to convey key concepts pertaining to service learning quite well. Class discussions were enlightening, appropriate and moderated quite well. However, there are times when she does not respond in the most appropriate manner to class discussions. Sometimes, she may come across as quite patronising and other times she may not phrase things nicely. I recall one incident when my classmate got quite heated after discussing something with her. Given that the topics covered may be quite sensitive (for instance, when pertaining to race, gender, inequality, education etc.) professors should be more self-aware and considerate towards people involved in discussions. Also, I really did not appreciate the dissemination of a rubric for the interview assignment 3 or so weeks after the assignment was released. I had already completed it before I had a rubric to follow.

Content (Structure/Organization)

I sometimes feel that only very small portions of some readings were referenced in the tutorials, and given that NEP3002 is a 2MC course, I don't feel as rewarded for going through the readings (in fact I believe that most students taking this course disregard the readings). Also, I feel that the heavy focus on readings and AI-generated scenarios makes for a very boring and unrewarding lesson. I know that most of my classmates mentally check out during lessons. I have nothing against the use of AI, but sometimes the activities might come off as low effort and hence will not generate much participation from the audience. I understand the importance of these key concepts and enjoyed the intellectual rigour, but the readings cannot be the only substrate for discussion as they are not immediately relatable or very intriguing for most (as compared to readings from courses like NSW or NGN). I felt that it was only me and a few other classmates who actually participated in class discussions. Perhaps Prof can supplement the readings with videos or non-AI generated scenarios (or, if they are AI generated, just don't tell us) that make the content more relatable. 

 Additionally, while I see the value in interviewing seniors, I believe that the rigidity of the rubrics provided and grading system are not reasonable (I am not sure if a rubric was provided across the classes but Prof Wing gave us one). For example, how can we hit every requirement for an interview on the mark if we cannot even control what our senior has to say (also, I was given the rubric AFTER I had finished the whole assignment). I was told that our assignment would be "marked like an NTW paper", but given that an interview is an intellectual exchange between two parties, students cannot exactly guide the direction of the interview to fit the rubric, and if they did, then I no longer see the value in having an interview at all. For example, if my senior did not give me advice that exactly maps onto my own project, then I cannot fulfil the requirement of having extracted advice to apply to my own project. I understand the need to grade the assignments based on the quality of reflections, but the rubric is, in my opinion, a little too restrictive and makes for a rather unnatural "interview". Also, I disagree with the model of marking an NEP reflection like an "NTW assignment". That does not make sense to me, given that this is more of a reflection than a philosophical mental exercise.

Manageability of Workload

The workload was reasonable in my opinion.

Ease/Difficulty of attaining grades

I have not gotten my grades yet.

Learning Value/Recommendation

For personal learning it was certainly eye-opening. Regarding the applicability to IEx, the concepts were probably applicable to most projects, but not mine as I am working on animal welfare. However, I wouldn't say it was a complete waste of time.

Mihikaa Singh (@mihikaasingh) AY25/26 Sem 2

About the Instructor

I think the prof did an amazing job at creating a welcoming, highly energetic and interesting class environment where you could definitely voice out your thoughts. The prof's passion for the course was the best part and was magnetic for sure, encouraging everyone to engage with the concepts more and participate. Since the course was new, I feel with a bit of experimentation and trials with some time they could come up with a very defined and structured progression of the class, but I really did enjoy each seminar and every innovative activity that the prof made us do.

Content (Structure/Organization)

Yes, I think the topics they identified to teach us were something I had not consciously thought of before, and now after these foundational classes i think we will all keep these concepts in mind in real life when we embark on our projects. Organization wise I think it could be more focused on in-person activities and videos, rather than text-heavy since that is something which will make it more enjoyable and will ensure everyone is participating and interacting with the content.

Manageability of Workload

Not too heavy at all, only the last assignment was slightly time-consuming. Per week spending even 2 hours is good enough!

Ease/Difficulty of attaining grades

Not sure yet since grades not released

Learning Value/Recommendation

Highly useful and that can be felt by everyone during the class also I'm sure..since it is directly related to the IEx projects. It also feels good to just have a space where you can talk about these projects, since at first glance these projects might seem a bit foreign and intimidating. Hearing about previous experiences and stories was probably the highlight! and the more it is tied with reality and real student experiences, the more confidence and interest it will provide to a current student in the course

Additional Comments

Participate for sure! Voice out your thoughts and opinions and make sure to put effort during the class, listening to the concepts and understanding since you will automatically start enjoying it then!

Anonymous (3) AY25/26 Sem 2

About the Instructor 

He is superb, engaging and fun

Content (Structure/Organization)

the readings are interesting i just wish there's more discussion about the readings/talking about the differing viewpoints

Manageability of Workload

its okay

Ease/Difficulty of attaining grades

idk haven't got my grades back yet

Learning Value/Recommendation

social impact reading is interesting, useful if you want to pursue such projects in the future

Anonymous (4) AY25/26 Sem 2

About the Instructor 

I had Prof Julius Bautista; he's also my iex prof philippines. i would say he's very efficient in running through the material (he would always get us to do some sort of activity so its not just sit there and class part) -- e.g. hold a debate/ do some mindmapping/ role play as diff stakeholders 

 and he's super passionate about it (also because this was his capstone/project he started) so he's really energetic in wanting to spread it to his students

Content (Structure/Organization)

i would say before starting iex/going on a rackey trip u wouldnt see it as important (at most just interesting cuz unlike via they go more into theory/asset based community development where u utilise whats already in the area)

 its well structured that it covers a wide scope of topics that u may encounter in iex (arts to the idea of measuring success of a project to ethics)

 at most the hardest part was trying to get an iex prof at the early stages (but if ur a sweat try to go for the iex class that the prof uk ur grp wants -- which is what my group did lol)

Manageability of Workload

good thing is there aren't too many readings (one every week) and prof realised we weren't reading it lol so he said can just watch the youtube shorts/podcast which is 1-3 min 

 you do need the readings when u hv to do the assessment (where u interview a senior on their iex project and write a reflection analysing it w the topics u learnt in class) so that def took more time n was harder cuz i could barely used the topics in the interview cuz they were so broad bhut i think the interview helped to really understand how iex would look like (in all its ups and downs)

Ease/Difficulty of attaining grades

you only get the grade at the end so i cant say for sure but i think profs really nice and just try to work well with your group

Learning Value/Recommendation

10/10 because unlike via this really gets u to sustain effort through it cuz ur invested for two years and honestly the racket trip (bamboo bootcamp) changed me a lot for the better (seeing irl how much people care about sustainability and just how cool it is in natural environments that u dont see in singapore) was eye opening

Additional Comments/Word of Advice

Unfortunately this is a core mod, so I guess my only piece of advice would be to make of this mod what you will, and perhaps save an S/U for it in case things go south. I really hope this mod is overhauled in future sems, such that this review is rendered obsolete :)

Anonymous (4) AY25/26 Sem 2

About the Instructor 

Quite interesting content being taught the professor was very understanding towards us and the content was very manageable

Content (Structure/Organization)

It feels like the classes could be a lot more compressed.

Manageability of Workload

Very manageable but that was because the professor himself decided to reduce our readings

Ease/Difficulty of attaining grades

No idea

Learning Value/Recommendation

Quite useful I feel I've learnt quite a bit from the content

Anonymous (1) AY25/26 Sem 2

About the Instructor

This was a project based module. My professor supervised us with regular check-ins on Telegram, in-person catch-up sessions once per Semester, and emails. Her approach was intense and focused, but could have been more personal and approachable. We hesitated to bring up to her certain struggles that we faced.

Content (Structure/Organization)

The curriculum could have been better organized. The instructions, notes, and briefing slides could have been improved, made clearer and more understandable for students by accompanying procedures with screenshots. The individual reflections achieved their aim in prompting me to think more deeply about sociological theories that related to my volunteering and project management experience.

Manageability of Workload

The workload is not heavy if delegated appropriately among group members. I ended up spending 1 hour per week on email liaising with partners and settling logistics with our community partners. My professor specifically requested in depth reflections that also summarised our experiences and learnings effectively.

Ease/Difficulty of attaining grades

A is achievable with consistent effort, contact with community partners, and unity as a team. My professor saw the work we put in, the specificity of our reflections, and our heart for the community, which likely led to a more favourable grade.

Learning Value/Recommendation

This course has taught me the importance of resilience. I faced scheduling conflicts with community partners, difficulty procuring logistics for Creative Project, and engaging the rest of my team. Nevertheless, through constant reflection and sustained action, I gained project management knowledge and skills.