Welcome to the Upper Secondary Social Studies (2192 & 2193) website. This website will assist you to prepare well for your Social Studies examination and also aid you to better understand the topics covered in the syllabus. You will find a variety of resources here. These include games, graphic organizers and revision pacakges. Use them wisely and you would be on your way to a great learning experience ahead.

New nations face political, social and economic challenges to survive and progress in the international community. They need to stay alert and nimble in responding to these challenges. Singapore tries to overcome these challenges through the leadership and common will of its people and by working with other nations.

How do nations come into being and what challenges do they face? What is a nation? What kind of challenges do new nations such as Singapore face? In studying this as part of this chapter, you will get to know more about national identity, importance of stable government, need for social cohesion, emphasis on economic development, as well as efforts at defence and security, and importance of diplomacy.

This chapter prepares you to:

• Explain the concept of nationhood
• Discuss challenges faced by new nations
• Understand the unique challenges Singapore faced as a newly-independent nation

Good governance determines the viability, development and progress of nations. Guided by a set of principles, policies are formulated and implemented to meet the needs of the people and nation. Understanding governance enables us to be aware of the complexities of decision-making in a society and world that faces rapid change.

Why is governance important? This chapter discusses the formulation and implementation of policy process through the use of the transport policy as an example to examine the principles of governance. We will also be looking at the case study of Singapore's population policies to examine policy changes over time. While reviewing the population policies from 1970s to the 21st century, we will also look at the challenges of and responses to ageing population and declining birth rate.

This chapter prepares you to:

• Understand the significance of government structure
• Recognize the importance of principles of governance in policy formulation and implementation
• Evaluate the role of communication channels in policy-making
• Recognize that policies changes to meet changing needs of society and nation

Games on Government Structure

Games on Guiding Principles

Games on Guiding Principles and Traffic Flow

Governance can be studied through a comparative study as well. Sometimes two countries might have similar problems. However, they might need to adopt different approaches as each country is unique and different from another. This chapter makes a comparative study of the public health care policies in Singapore and the United Kingdom. In doing so, we understand how the policies work in the two countries and the impact of the policies on society and nation.

This chapter prepares you to:

• Recognize that different governments adopt different approaches to solve similar problems
• Evaluate the effectiveness of the policies in meeting the health care needs of the people and nation

Different ethnic, religious and cultural groups contribute to the diversity and richness of multi-ethnic societies. However, it is important to be vigilant against the forces of divisiveness that cause conflict and disintegration of societies. Common bonds should be strengthened to unite the people as a nation.

Discord and disunity cause much disruption to the progress of a country. In this chapter, such issues are discussed through the case studies of Sri Lanka and Northern Ireland. We get to take a look at the causes of the conflict among ethnic and religious groups and the manifestation of differences into conflicts. The impact of such conflicts are disruptions to political, social and economic development. What are some efforts at resolving these conflicts in Sri Lanka and Northern Ireland? This chapter explores the possibilities for peace in these countries as well.

This chapter prepares you to:

• Explain why conflicts exist among different ethnic and religious groups
• Analyze the political, economic and social impact of ethnic and religious conflicts on the people and nation
• Value the need for non-violence approaches like negotiation, mediation and cooperation in resolving conflicts

Match Up on Sri Lanka

Importance of social cohesion and harmony is revisited through the case study of Singapore in this chapter. We discuss the internal and external threats Singapore faces such as race riots and terrorism. We also discuss how Singapore, a multi-ethnic society manages ethnic diversity. Some challenges facing Singapore which we discuss are addressing the needs of the different ethnic groups e.g. policy of minority representation, and integrating the ethnic groups in society e.g. forging national identity, developing common space. Finally, we also study the benefits of a harmonious multi-ethnic society.

This chapter prepares you to:

• Explain the internal and external threats to Singapore's harmony
• Recognize the need for ethnic and religious sensitivities and tolerance
• Explain how social cohesion and racial and religious harmony can be achieved in a multi-ethnic society
• Appreciate living in a multi-ethnic society

Games on Managing Ethnic Diversity (created by pupils)

Conflicts among nations exist as countries strive to safeguard their national interests. When deterrent and diplomatic measures fail to resolve conflicts, war can result. World and regional organisations like the United Nations play crucial roles in resolving conflict among nations. World security is further complicated by new threats such as transnational terrorism which is a challenge to all nations in achieving peace and prosperity.

How important is deterrence and diplomacy in maintaining international relations among nations? Why do conflicts exist among nations? What are some of the causes for international conflicts? This chapter starts with discussion of these questions before looking at how Singapore ensures its national security through its two-pronged approach of deterrence and diplomacy. The study of deterrence discusses Total Defence strategy, professional and citizen armed forces, defence industries, joint military exercise with other nations and multi-agency coordination on security. The study of diplomacy discusses bilateral and multi-lateral relations as well as membership in regional and international organizations such as ASEAN and the UN.

This chapter prepares you to:

• Understand why conflicts exist among nations
• Recognize the need for two-pronged approach of deterrence and diplomacy
• Explain the need to be self-reliant for Singapore's security
• Recognize the need for coordination among agencies to maintain a high level of vigilance
• Understand the role and relevance of regional and international organizations, particularly to small countries
• Recognize the importance of international cooperation

Games on Conflict Between Countries (created by pupils)

Games on Deterrence (created by pupils)

Games on Diplomacy (created by pupils)

How can conflict in one region affect the rest of the world? This chapter tries to shed light to this issue by looking at the case study of the Iraq-Kuwait conflict (1990-91). This chapter also dwells into the new threat to the world - Transnational Terrorism as well as its impact on the world and national security. The chapter ends by looking at measures to deal with transnational terrorism.

This chapter prepares you to:

Games on Transnational Terrorism (created by pupils)

The Penalty Challenge

Sustaining Economic Development

Globalisation of the world economy presents new challenges and opportunities to nations. Adopting proactive and effective strategies to remain economically competitive would help the nations to develop and progress in an increasingly competitive world economy.

 Singapore has also undertaken strategies for economic development in a globalised world. Amongst these methods include diversifying the economy, having twin engines of growth, venturing abroad, nurture growth of SMEs, expand market reach trough economic cooperation as well as managing her resources.

This chapter prepares you to:

Games on Globalisation and Impact

(created by pupils)

Games on Overcoming Challenges of Globalisation

(created by pupils)

The Penalty Challenge

Facing Challenges and Change

Nations that survive and succeed are those that are able to face challenges and develop into viable entities. However, failure to respond to the changing global landscape over time may result in a nation fading into obscurity.

This chapter prepares you to:

Rise and Fall of Venice