CSD524 will attempt to ask the question of “What is education for?” This age-old question has taken an urgent turn in the light of disruptive global transformations we are living through. The basis for education has shifted over time and has been increasing been focused on economic purposes. A jobless economy, climate crisis, growing social inequalities, rapid technological developments and shifting global geopolitics are challenging us to redefine the purpose of education, and to rediscover alternative models of education in order for us to rethink how to organise our society to meet these challenges. Advancement in technology has purported to democratize education and make learning assessable to global citizens. Discourses of education policy and work skills in higher education will be examined further. The course invites students to critically evaluate our current schooling (with focus on higher education) with its heavy emphasis on developing human capital for the economy using examples from local and global contexts. What are different visions of education and societies we can envisage for our children and us? What have we assumed about education? These questions go beyond theoretical discussions to have real impact on what choices we can exercise and how we can rethink the way we live and learn.
Globalisation, the digital revolution, mass migration, and the prospect of climate instability are triggering new concerns and demanding a new kind of graduate. All across the global, almost every country, companies, military, schools, even communities, are recasting our understanding of economics, communication, security, cultural identity, citizenship, and the environment. It is apparent that all these present to our youths new demands and new opportunities as well. It calls for more powerful, relevant, and self-directed learning that will prepare the young to live, compete, and collaborate in a new global scenario. YWK505 Youth in The World discusses three major forces shaping lives on the planet: the flattened global economy and changing demands of work; unprecedented global migration and the changing nature of neighbourhoods, identities, and citizenship; and climate instability and the growing need for global environmental stewardship. That as it may be, youths need not look far to see the effects of the major forces, it is shaping their lives very clearly every day. Singapore’s proactive government spares no effort to prepare her citizens, especially the young people through education. Local prominent researchers’ studies on active citizenry would be discussed to equip students with their engagement with youths.