(this post is probably only relevant for NUS undergraduates or undergraduates-to-be)
So, today is the release of NUS AY08/09 Sem 2 results.
After taking 10 modules for the past 2 semesters, here’s a quick summary of each module.
Sem 1:
1. PH1101E – Reason and Persuasion
(credits: http://www.accountingethics.com/)
Looking at the module title, I thought it was a “how to persuade people with sound reasoning” kinda module. Wrong. It was (boring shit) about Plato and Socrates. In short, it was essentially about Philosophy. Come to think of it, I must be dumb to think it was an interesting module teaching you how to debate; though I must admit it did teach us how to reason/argue.
What to expect:
One draft essay, one essay, 3 blog comments, tutorial participation and final exam. Webcast lecturers were available (but I didn’t bother to watch despite skipping numerous lectures).
What I dislike most about this module:
The lecturer and the textbook which was coincidentally written by the lecturer himself. The lecturer was a Caucasian man with a strong American accent and he has one of the most powerful voices to make one go drowsy. He seemed to be talking to himself all the time. The lectures were normally 40+ to even 60+++ slides long; some slides contain merely an illustration (also drawn by him) which you wouldn’t understand if you didn’t listen to him. Also, you could most probably find what you see in the slides in the textbook, word for word.
What I like most about this module:
The EoY(End-of-Year) 20 MCQs open-book exam. Was kinda a breeze.
How I did:
I would say much better than I had expected. Must be the MCQs!
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2. SW1101E- Introduction to Social Work
(credits: http://www.nataliedee.com/102606/social-work.jpg)
Multiple lecturers. A general introduction to social work. A pretty useful module.
What to expect:
One/two short reflection essay(s), one project, tutorial presentations (group members could take turns), a one-day attachment work, a visit to NGOs(Non-governmental organizations) NPOs(Non-Profit Organizations), final exam.There were weekly (supposedly) readings. No webcast unless lectures fall on Public Holidays.
What I dislike most about this module:
My grade. 
What I like most about this module:
My tutor- he was a humorous social worker. Tutorials were enjoyable.
How I did:
Average. The final exam was not that easy; reading the text won’t get you fully prepared- read newspaper diligently!
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3. CL1101E- Introduction to Chinese Language
(credits: http://www.thlibo.com/2007/09/13/book-of-genesis-encoded-in-chinese-language/)
I took this module after my 3rd failed CORS appeal (I screwed up my modules stuff badly and had 3 appeals). I thought it would be like those Chinese lessons in JC and secondary school, writing oompostitions and doing comprehensions. Wrong. It’s about the basis of Chinese LANGUAGE’; learnt stuff about its structure, grammar and likes. Very technical.
What to expect:
A few assignments which the native Chinese pros aced easily and final exam.
What I dislike most about this module:
The textbook was not very useful.
What I like most about this module:
Workload wasn’t very heavy.
How I did:
Gone were the days of Aces during secondary school and JC times.
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4. GEM2005- Film and History
(credits: http://www.popsci.com/entertainment-gaming/article/2008-04/popsci%E2%80%99s-guide-sci-tech-summer-movies)
Despite the word ‘History’, the films were not the typical film noir. We got to watch recent movies such as Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby (2006). On the other hand, we also got to watch rather good films which were made before I was born, such as Rain Man (1988).
What to expect:
A 500 words essay every 2 weeks, a long essay and weekly online forum participation. Non-examinable. No webcast, of course. And the lecture slides weren’t even available online.
What I dislike most about this module:
No good guidelines to aid you in scoring. Workload can be heavy if time management is poor. Some movies could be really dull or funny but meaningless (the lecturers themselves said they still didn’t understand certain movies they played).
What I like most about this module:
The style of the lectures- very relaxing. The lecturers would play music, ranging from theme songs to soft rock to party R&B. When the lecture theater was about full, they would start by a short background introduction to the week’s theme. After a short break (for us to get food and to answer nature’s call), the film would be played and when it had finished, we would be free to go. Since most films were/are less than 2 hours long, we often got off earlier than the supposedly 4 hours long lecture. On days which we were to get our essays back, we would have to stay behind to collect them after the film had finished playing.
My trick/tip:
Stream the movie beforehand and watch in the comfort of your room. Hence, you could go off right after the first part of the lecture. However, be mindful of the collection of essays. And some movies might not be available online. So check before skipping the second part of the lecture!
How I did:
Average, sadly.
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5. NM1101E- Communications, New Media and Society
(credits: http://www.conversationagent.com/2007/11/what-is-new-med.html)
A compulsory module for CNM majors. Multiple lecturers. Taught me many things about Internet and its uses which I didn’t think about in the past. Such as posting pictures of yourself online on FB and blogs may come back and haunt you one day (for instance, your future employer googles you and find pictures of you participating in a wet t-shirt competition. uh uh, not cool) even if you had deleted them. [read Straits Time's DL section on 27th May 2009] Such pictures are still on the cyberspace somewhere.
What to expect:
Mid-sem test (MCQs, short answers and short essay), mini projects, tutorial participation and final exam (only MCQs). No webcast.
What I dislike most about this module:
Readings can be frustrating at times.
What I like most about this module:
Light workload and the final exam which had scenario-based questions that were witty and could pass off as jokes!
How I did:
Ok. Could have been better if I had worked hard for my mid-sem test.
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Sem 2:
1. NM2101- Theories of Communications and New Media
(credits: http://members.atlantic.net/~lperry/theories.htm)
Theories. Awwww.. It’s really as boring as you think it is.
What to expect:
Mid-sem test (4 short essays, 40%), final exam (40%) and tutorial participation (20%).
What I dislike most about this module:
Almost everything, from the content to the textbook to the mismatch lectures to the tutorials to the exam question. No webcast.
What I like most about this module:
Although the module planning done by the lecturer was not to my liking, I like him! Funny guy who would share with us random stuff like he adores cute things. Another thing which I like is that topics tested in the mid-sem were excluded in the final exam.
How I did:
Amazingly, much better than I had expected!
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2. NM2220- Introduction to Media Writing
(credits: http://www.rkrk.net.au/images/3/35/Information_overload.jpg)
A brief and wide range of media writing, from journalism to advertising to public relations (PR). Multiple lecturers. A pre-requisite module for many other modules.
What to expect:
Weekly 100-words reflection, 2 assignments, 1 project, final exam and tutorial/forum participation. No webcast.
What I dislike most about the module:
The heavy workload. At a point of time, just for this module, I had to do my weekly reflection plus assignment plus project. Hell. The tutorials were weekly and double hours, instead of the ‘normal’ weekly single hour tutorials we get. Tutorials are linked to the lecture day (if you got the Tues lecture, your tutorial must be on either Tues or Wed; if it’s the Thur’s, tutorials on Thurs/Fri), hence, it might possibly screw your timetable up. Plus, both lectures were at an unearthly EIGHT AM.
What I like most about the module:
The lectures can be interesting.
How I did:
Bad. My group screwed up our project. And I screwed up my first assignment.
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3. NM2219- Principles of Communication Management
(credits: http://www.cartoonstock.com/directory/m/media_relations.asp)
Had to take this as I plan to become a PR practitioner. Multiple lecturers.
What to expect:
2 tests (MCQs), 1 project and final exam (MCQs).
What I dislike most about this module:
I couldn’t believe how unbelievably blur/sotong the lecturer was. We had to do news clippings throughout the whole sem for our project. As widely announced, we were told to collect 10-12 new articles each, hence for our group of 6, we had to collect at least 60 different news articles within a time period of 3 months. A few days before the submission of our project report and new clippings, she told us that she had made a mistake- we were only supposed to collect 10-12 articles per GROUP. Holy. Do the maths and you should know how popped our eyes were when we saw that announcement.
What I like most about this module:
The MCQs tests and exams.
How I did:
I must admit I got a little complacent after the 2 tests and didn’t study much for the final exam. Could have been even better!
Tip/Trick:
Attend every lecture and be attentive. They tested us questions such as “according to your lecturer……”.
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4. SSA1202- Southeast Asia: A Changing Region
(credits: http://sipo95.wordpress.com/)
About Southeast Asia. From eating patterns to economic landscapes to politics. 2 lecturers who kept flirting in front of us.
What to expect:
1 essay assignment, 1 field trip report, tutorial participation and final exam (short essays). No webcast.
What I dislike most about the module:
The textbook. Completely irrelevant. Didn’t even read it.
What I like most about the module:
The tutorials. Don’t have to prepare anything for it, just go there and utter a few sentences. However, tutorials were a bore.
How I did:
Average.
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5. TS1101E- Introduction to Theatre and Drama
Brief introduction to theatre theories and practical. The latter is fun!
What to expect:
2 essay assignments, practical presentations, weekly readings/tutorial preparation(depends on who your tutor is), practical exam and final written exam (2 essays). Oh, and there are practical lessons every week, 2 hours, which are not shown on the module description. Cunning.
What I dislike most about this module:
The practical exam was during the reading week. It took up much of our time.
What I like most about this module:
The practical lessons. Here’s where you get to know your TS friends.
Tip:
Turn up for your practical lessons. You need to build close rapport with your TS mates ‘cos you would have to work with them for your final exam. Surely, you would want to know who is nice/not nice to work with. Plus, these lessons were and would be so much fun!
Disclaimer: These information are based on my personal experiences. There’s a possiblity that it will not apply to you should NUS has made certain changes to the module(s). Do check with the faculty personnel. I’m writing these ‘cos I understand the frustration when I couldn’t find such information online while ‘researching’ on modules which I had wanted to take. I hope these will help anyone who plan to take up certain modules in NUS. 
when we in Little India. Too late..
the incredible experience!
