Frequently asked questions:

SSA1026/GES1023
1. What is this module about?
This is a General Education/Singapore Studies Module that examines how
Singapore has been represented in the literary arts (Prose Fiction), the
performing arts (Drama/Theatre) and the visual arts (Film). This module also
explores how (these) representations are constructed, how they operate, how
they can be received and their impact. This module hopes to connect a kind
of verbal and visual literacy to the larger Singapore environment and context
how we represent/see Singapore and how the world represents/see
Singapore.
2. Really? Tell me more?
The module is divided in three components
The first component provides some ideas, context and examples of how
representations are constructed, how they operate, how they can be received
and their impact. This component will also relate representation to Singapore
and the issues revolving representing Singapore. Also, this component will
give some tools on how to read these representations in the literary,
performing and visual arts.
The second component takes you through the texts in the literary, performing
and visual arts. This component will investigate how the literary, performing
and visual arts have sought to represent Singapore. It will also study the
effects of these representations and their relationships with Singapore
histories and realities
The third component will ask the student to embark on a group project.
Students can either embark on a conventional research project (selecting
their focus from a range of topics that will be provided) or a creative project
(in either the literary, performing or visual arts that will comprise a creative
outcome and an accompanying exegesis).
3. Exegesis? Whats that?
An exegesis is a critical explanation or interpretation of the creative
processes/outcomes of the creative project. This module asks students to
constantly reflect on what they do, especially when creating something
aesthetic and relate this to what they have learnt and experienced in the
process
4. I have no background in literature, or theatre or film? In fact, Im
not very artsy at all. Can I still take this module?
Of course you can. This module merely requires basic literacy, curiosity and
a adventurous sense of enquiry. The module will equip you with basic tools to
understand and decode representations and relate them to Singapore. Like
all SS/GE modules, this is not discipline-specific or discipline-dependent.
5. The IVLE says the module will be conducted through lectures and
workshops? I know what lectures are how are workshop different

from tutorials?
The idea of a workshop includes intensive discussions and group activity
this means they are highly interactive, task-led and participant-driven. The
lectures will communicate the knowledge and the critical content the
workshops will be focused on application, reflections and exchanging
different ideas and different perspective. In technical terms, the workshops
are based on peer-to-peer learning with the tutor acting as facilitator and
sounding board for the discussions. A lot of the thinking and talking through
is done in the workshops. This is why the class participation component
stands at 20% of the overall aggregate.
6. Okay since you brought up the 20% on class participation, how
about the rest of the assessment
You will be required to sit for a compulsory mid-term test on week #7, [1
March 2017] at 8am during the lecture. The test will be 1 hour 20 minutes
long. During this test, you will be asked to respond to a unseen passage. You
will be responding to a few questions so it is not a full fledge essay question
per se. The date for the test is non-negotiable, unless there is an emergency,
you must sit for the test on the 28 Feb 2017 or forfeit the marks. The test
comprises 20% of the overall aggregate
You will hand in a term paper on week 10. The term paper will be based
on a question (to be released) and you will be required to examine either a
theatre text or a film text. You will have a selection of texts to choose from.
The term paper should be between 1000-1500 words.This term paper will
also comprise 20% of your final aggregate.
7. And the group project?
You will be broken into affinity groups by week #5 where you can start
thinking about whether you want to do a conventional research project or a
creative project. You should come to a decision latest by workshop by week
#9. You will be given a series of topics for both the conventional research
project and the creative project by week #5.
If your group opts for a conventional research project, it will involve a 20003000 word report outlining the objectives of the research, the methodology,
the process of the research and of course, the findings, outcomes and
conclusions.
If your group opts for a creative project, you will need to hand in a 1000-1500
exegeies together with your creative outcome (either in print, performance or
video). Each group will deliver a preliminary or progress report in week #13
during the final workshop to the class to solicit comments and feedback.
The final submission will be at the end of the reading week. This group
project will comprise 40% of the final aggregate. Unless otherwise requested,
every member of the group will get the same one grade.
8. So what are these topics? I have never done a creative project
before? How will I know what to do?
The topics will be accompanied by detailed instructions of what to include,
what is expected and how to deliver the project.
9. Why arent the topics available now?
This module wants to students to engage with the immediate environment

(i.e. Singapore) and while the module values student contribution in the
classroom, it wants to encourage students to go outside of the classroom and
participate in culture-making. This is all part of relating knowledge to context
and developing thinking and critical skills. The topics will be selected based
on current events and circumstances so that they may have relevance.
Because of this, the topics will be time and history sensitive and will be
curated in tandem with what is happening.
10. Anything else I need to know
You are encouraged to attend all the lectures and workshops, especially the
workshops. It is important to keep up with the relevant readings and
activities to gain the most of this GES module.
But most importantly, this module wants you to enjoy the learning process
it will try its best to be engaging and rewarding.
Syllabus
Top2 Short Stories:

Miss Pereira by Catherine Lim (From Little Ironies: Stories from Singapore) - available
for download in the workbin under selected texts
Cold Comfort by Alfian Saat (From Malay Sketches) - available for download in the
workbin under selected texts
1 novel
The Teenage Textbook by Adrian Tan - available for purchase and loan from NUS
library and NLB libraries
2 plays
The Coffin is Too Big For the Hole by Kuo Pao Kun - - available for download in the
workbin under selected texts
Model Citizens by Haresh Sharma - available for purchase and loan from NUS library
and NLB libraries
1 feature film:
7 Letters comprising
'Cinema' by Eric Khoo
'The Girl' by Jack Neo
'The Flame' by K Rajagopal
'4:30' by Royston Tan
'Pineapple Town' by Tan Pin Pin
'Parting' by Boo Jun Feng
'Grandma Positioning System' by Kelvin Tong
[due to the restricted availability of the DVD print of this film, it will be screened
during lecture on week 9]