Raffles Institution

The Raffles Programme

Social Studies 2010

Philosophy/Rationale
To understand and appreciate the inter-connectedness of human experiences in society, and
to learn about our role in society so as to play our part as active citizens of the immediate and
wider community

Desired Outcomes
By the end of this upper secondary SS programme, students should be able to:
• apply learnt knowledge and develop opinions based on interpretations of events and
sources to construct sound and valid arguments.
• evaluate opinions and arguments with a relevant set of criteria that is significant and
logical.
• use critical thinking skills in the analysis of fact, opinions, analogies, parallels, current
and historical events
• conduct basic social inquiry and to analyse current social issues
• develop a sense of empathy for the community and the desire to serve the society in
which he lives

Through the programme, you will also develop skills such as:
• Reading for facts, opinions and purpose.
• Writing in order to inform and persuade.
• Evaluating of facts, opinions and arguments.
• Reflecting on your thoughts, roles and action.

Key Understandings of the SS Curriculum

• All stakeholders in society are interconnected through the political, economic and
social fabric of society.
• The way stake holders interact impacts the development of society and themselves.
• The dynamic interplay of social, economic, political, technological and environmental
factors shape and affect the development of society
• The state of a society depends on good governance as well as individual and
collective social responsibility.

Year Topic/Content

Year 3 Living in a multi-dimensional society

Term 1-2 Understanding human socialisation
- Role of families, schools, peer groups and media
- Social groups and interaction

Understanding race & ethnicity

- Social construction of race
- Prejudice and discrimination
- Race discrimination in the USA

Managing a multi-cultural/multi-ethnic society

Case studies of multicultural societies
- The Sri Lankan civil war
- The Northern Ireland conflict

Models of managing ethnic diversity

- Assimilation (E.g. China)
- Communalism (E.g. Malaysia)
- Multiculturalism (E.g. Singapore & Switzerland)

ykm/RI/ Simplified_Scope&seq/2010 Updated: 4 Jan 10

 Concepts of assimilation, communalism and multiculturalism.
Similarities and differences, advantages and disadvantages of these models

Year 3 Government and Governance

Term 2-3
Democracy – Power to the people
- Limited and unlimited governments
- Structure of the government
- Parliamentary, presidential and hybrid systems
- Bicameral & unicameral systems
- Representative and direct democracies
- Passing of bills and decision making

My Political Compass
- An individual in the political continuum
- Centralist
- Liberal
- Conservative
- Marxist

Case studies of democratic governments

- Singapore (Representative)
- Switzerland (Direct/Hybrid)
- Thailand (Evolving)

Comparison of their characteristics and issues which are central to the structure and
operation.

Year 3 Government & Governance

Term 3
Defining governance
- Definition of principles of governance (from a broad sense and those practised in
Singapore)

Applying principles of governance to policies in Singapore

- NEWater policy
- Deterrence & National Service

The citizen’s role in government & governance

- Understanding the social contract
- The rights and obligations of a citizen
- The need for active citizenship participation for a functioning democracy

Year 4 Active Citizenry & the Civil Society

Term 1
State-society relationship
- Concepts of civil society
- Definitions of civil society
- Development of civil society in Singapore
- NGOs and civil society

Active citizenry (A group performance task)

Making a social documentary

Year 4 Managing External Relations and the United Nations

Term 2
Diplomacy
- Definition and practice of diplomacy

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 - Functions of Embassies & diplomats
- Case Study of ASEAN

The United Nations

- Historical development of the UN
- The LON
- Rise of UN & UN idealism
- UN Today
- Peacekeeping, peacemaking, peacebuilding
- Disillusion with UN
- Function of UN & mankind’s best hope

Year 4 Globalisation, Challenges and Change

Term 3
Introduction to globalisation
- Technological advancements in the 20th century
- Growth of MNCs and the way they function, case study of NIKE
- Impact of globalization on the poor

Case study of Venice as a city state

- The rise and decline of Venice as a great city state between 9th to 18th century
- Venetian responses to changes and challenges
- Sustainability of small city-states in the ever changing world

Lessons for Singapore

- Applications of the case study to the context of Singapore in the long term
economic, political and social sustainability.

*DMP modules are offered for Social Studies in Term 4. These modules open to
application for all Year 3 and Year 4 students.

ykm/RI/ Simplified_Scope&seq/2010 Updated: 4 Jan 10