Singapore

This module presents the generalist model of social work intervention with individuals, families, groups and communities. Basic knowledge and skills of the problem-solving process, including engagement, assessment, formulation of objectives, intervention, evaluation of outcome, and termination are examined. Using an ecological-systems perspective, the module will emphasize the integration of social science knowledge and social work practice theory in facilitating the bio-psychosocial development of people. The module is for students who major in Social Work.

The term justice has many applications and is used with many different meanings. Social justice concerns justice as it refers to the societal distribution of scarce goods and necessary burdens. One of the most important aspects of social justice is the way in which societies deal with the collective provision of welfare for, and the redistribution of resources among, their members. Following a brief introduction to some of the most influential contemporary theories of justice, this course will look at the historical roots of the welfare state as it first emerged in Europe and at the central features of various presently existing welfare regimes. A main concern will be to lay out some of the key sociological issues surrounding income (re)distribution, health care, public housing, education, and care for the elderly and poor. What solutions have different societies found to these problems, what sorts of ethical, political, and economic considerations underlie them, how viable are different welfare policies in the face of growing market pressures and in the context of an increasingly globalized economy, what are some of the criticisms brought forward against different welfare regimes, and what are the prospects and reform perspectives for their future? Cases are drawn from several sources, from Europe, the United States, and East Asia (including Singapore), to frame the central issues in the course.

This course attends to elements and processes that animate everyday life in cities and their transformation. It brings together readings from anthropology, critical geography, urban theory, history, and fiction to explore the nature of cities through different disciplinary frameworks and socio-cultural contexts. The readings move through a wide range of cities while provoking students to think about ways of engaging the urban as a research site..

Sports have developed into a pervasive social institution that influences various social processes operating from the psychological level to the global stage. From homes to stadiums, sports extend into a multitude of social arenas to influence economics and politics, as well as the everyday lives of many people.

They offer dramatic diversions from the drudgery of work and domestic life, provide a sense of community in a fragmented world, and plays a vital role in the well-being of people. Sports feed on rivalries and conflicts while holding the capacity to bridge the social divides of ethnicity, gender, age, class, nationality, and ideology. Looking into the historical and contemporary significance of sports takes us into the fascinating worlds of science, business, culture, religion, citizenship, diplomacy, popular culture, and many other playing fields.

This course is designed for everyone taking a critical look at the relationships between sports and society. Students need neither a background in sociology nor a familiarity with the technicalities and jargon of sports to benefit from the module. The approach is comparative and interdisciplinary, covering historical and contemporary issues, foreign and local sporting cultures, as well as theories and methods that transcend academic boundaries.

This module aims to help students develop a framework with which to analyse and understand the following: (1) key political issues and underlying social mechanisms relating to the dynamics of industrial society and the organisation of work; (2) various aspects of social relations at the workplace; (3) how different categories of workers respond to the organisation of work; and (4) the interconnections between (1), (2), and (3). The module is open to all students throughout NUS with an interest in analyzing work situations sociologically.

The purpose of this module is to introduce students to two essential areas of sociological inquiry: power and politics. Power is a ubiquitous dimension of social life; it is part of nearly all minor and major social relations. Political sociology is the study of social actors, relations, organizations, and institutions as they take part in the constitution of power, authority, and rules that regulate decision-making and social order in a given area of social life. Its distinctive quality emerges from the investigation of politics by looking at the “social bases” of power relations and political life. This module is an upper-level introduction to the sociology of power and political life. Specifically, it focuses on the relations between forms of power and collective rule making as well as rule breaking in society. This is a reading-intensive module.

Sociology represents first and foremost a manner of thinking about the world and our place in it; it is a mode of analysis. I, therefore, consider it more important for students to leave this course with a mastery of the analytical tools used in the sociology of power and politics (as well as the debates among sociologists about these tools) than a list of facts and figures about the political world. Accordingly, I place a premium on critical thinking in this module; lectures and discussions are designed specifically to develop your analytical skills. The good news is that this work is usually more interesting than memorizing definitions for multiple-choice exams. The bad news is that it is usually more difficult.

Learning sociology of power and politics presents particular challenges. We are concerned with vital issues such as representation, authority, rights, forms of government, and who gets to rule. Topic wise, this is as close to real life as it gets. However, power is difficult to define. It is even more difficult to observe empirically. Furthermore, power, its exercise, and political forms related to power structures vary widely. Power relations and political life under the Ming Dynasty are quite different from the Italian city-states and even more different than the advanced democracies. Thus, the study of power tends to be, at first sight, challenging. Students will find that once they acquire a basic grasp of fundamental conceptual issues at stake, sociology of power and politics is one of the most rewarding areas of study.

This module examines the spread of consumption and its link to popular culture in the context of global capitalism. Emphasis will be given to the relationship between mass production and mass consumption, and the role of mass media in creating and widening the sphere of popular culture. Relationships between class and popular culture will be explored in this module. Issues such as changing leisure patterns, fashions, consumerism, role of advertisements and symbolic protests will also be examined in this module. The course is mounted for students throughout NUS with interest in the study of popular culture.

This module focuses on the linguistic and communicative elements of social interaction and their consequences. Topics covered include the nature of human communication, symbols and power, speech and social interaction, the politics of linguistic diversity, language and social structure, mass communication, and popular communication like family photography, gossip, rumour and oral culture. This module is mounted for all students throughout NUS with interest in language and communication as a means of social interaction.

This course focuses on theories of the family and social change. The course examines several perspectives on families, drawing on literature from history, anthropology, sociology, demography, and economics. Questions addressed include: What is a family? What is the relationship between family and household structure and economic, political, and cultural change both historically and in the more recent past? How do couples allocate their time and money in relationships? How do families vary by social class and race/ethnicity? How have the attitudes, expectations, and behaviors surrounding childbearing and childrearing changed? Theoretical perspectives on the family are supplemented with case studies of change and variation in families and households.

This module introduces students to the enriching experience of being in social work education. Learning includes both cognitive and experiential knowledge on the needs of individuals, families and society, and the social work response in meeting these needs. Included are the mission, values and principles of the social work profession and its roles and functions in contributing to human well-being. As an integral and compulsory part of this module, students will visit social service organization. The module is open to all NUS students.