Singapore University of Social Sciences

Singapore’s transformation from ‘developing country’ to ‘First World’ is often considered exemplary. However, the island-city-nation-state also represents an exceptional case. In attempting to understand Singapore as a society and Singaporeans as a people, SOC205 Singapore Society first explores its historical roots in pre-modern Southeast Asia and its evolution as a port city and British colony. Against the backdrop of the politics of decolonisation, we examine the formation of Singapore as a nation-state, especially the impact of state-led modernisation in shaping everyday life and social development. In so doing, we analyse the interrelationships between political rule, economic structure, and cultural change. In particular, we focus on themes such as globalisation; nation-building and citizenship; ethnicity; language and religion; population planning and the family; class and gender; and civil society.