Reflective Journal Entry 5

Reflective Journal 5: Reflect on SES. You may want to consider the curriculum, the learning process, the assessment, difficulties you faced, how you overcame them, and how might SES be applicable in time to come.

Time flies, and now, nearing the end of my short yet fruitful SES journey, I would like to express my feelings about this module.

I am impressed by the scope of SES because it seeks to explore pertinent issues present in Chinese and/or American societies. Some of the thought-provoking issues discussed include Confucian ideology, the 'dichotomy' between China and America, and the Industrial Revolution. Prior to the commencement of SES, I only had a cursory understanding of these topics and thought they were poles apart. Once, I even considered some issues obsolete because they occurred in the past. Fortunately, SES proved me wrong.

Through SES, I was able to draw implicit links among issues which exist in Chinese and Western societies, and most importantly uncover their relevance to my life. For example, I discovered that my mannerism has always been influenced by the coalesce of the American and Chinese perceptions of self in cosmopolitan Singapore. The progressive nature of SES curriculum also enabled me to utilise the knowledge gleaned in previous tutorials and apply them by incorporating them into answers to questions in following tutorials. For instance, one can cite the Western perception of rights to account for factory operations in America. This prevented me from naively considering all issues as mutually exclusive. On top of that, I liked the way in which discussion questions were phrased because it encouraged us to delve into and analyse both sides of issues to get a clearer picture of them, and by evaluating their pros and cons, eventually reach a balanced conclusion. This has evidently served me well as I developed critical thinking skills and unique perspectives, which granted me with a more comprehensive understanding of the world.

However, this learning process was not smooth-sailing because I encountered many difficulties along the way. At times, I struggled to comprehend readings and identify key concepts. Thankfully, my doubts would always be quelled after listening to presentations and ruminating on insights generated by presenters. Through these experiences, I recognised the necessity of SES presentations as they could accurately assess an individual's perspicacity and the amount of effort he had invested into conducting background research, hence I staunchly believe the assessment format is justified. In addition, the 'reflective journal' component allowed me to reflect upon issues discussed in class in commendable depth and expound my views, and facilitated the frank exchange of viewpoints via comments. In general, I took into account both positive and negative comments within my discretion and this certainly enriched my intellect over time.

Personally, I am pleased with the pedagogical framework of SES, especially the 'class discussion' component, mainly because it succeeded in facilitating the interaction among peers and subsequently the exchange of a plethora of ideas. More often than not, valid points raised by classmates opened new avenues for discussion, honed my faculty of reasoning and broadened my perspectives. In addition, this segment would boost my confidence and improve my presentation skills. To me, though, the main aim of class discussion should be to foster an open mindset in me. This is absolutely paramount because I will have to interact with people from all walks of life in the future, hence if I were to confine ourselves to a solitary point of view and not be receptive to the opinions of others, I will struggle to thrive, or worse still, attract unnecessary ire which can potentially sour human relations. Therefore, only when the objective aforementioned is achieved will I truly benefit from this pedagogical approach in the long run.

As construed by Confucius, the essence of knowledge lies in its application. Similarly, besides supplying me with factual knowledge, SES can be applied too. In this dynamic and globalised world, I will definitely have to venture out of my comfort zone and interact with people hailing from the East and the West, all with different cultural backgrounds. In order to foster our interaction and avoid unnecessary disputes, I must first understand the cultural differences and aim to transcend cultural boundaries so as to collaborate with my foreign counterparts effectively. This will indirectly improve my employability amid the stiff competition for job vacancies around the world. However, pragmatic reason is secondary and it does not constitute the main driving force behind my thirst for knowledge. The prospect of broadening my global perspective is what truly ignited my passion for SES.

Reminiscing my arduous SES journey, I am glad to say that I have grown.

Without the help of SES, I will perpetually languish in superficiality and not perceive the world in a brand new light.

Having benefited from SES, I will be more cognizant of my surroundings and more optimistic about my future prospects.

Therefore, I will never forget about SES and the positive impact that it has made on my life. 

(800 words)

Reflective Journal Entry 4

Question: Reflect on the societal problems faced by China and America. (Hint: you must definitely explain your responses to these societal problems. How can they be resolved? Who should be responsible for resolving these issues?)

China and America are renowned economic superpowers of the world. However, upon closer scrutiny, it is clear that both giants are facing societal problems which threaten to disrupt their economy.

One of the most worrying societal problems in China is the people’s disillusionment with the government. I believe the causes of this issue lie in the widening income gap which signifies an almost unbridgeable gulf between the rich and the poor, as well as the government’s apparent lack of transparency. In addition, China accentuates so much on economic development that it sets aside insufficient budget to be used as social safety net for the population, thereby exacerbating
the problem.

I am very perturbed by this issue because the government is responsible for looking after its people, but it has evidently failed to deliver. Its lack of urgency in tackling this problem is appalling too as it must foresee the repercussions of the problem, including the rich becoming wealthier and the poor continuing to languish at the bottom of society. If unresolved, these can lead to an unsalvageable debacle.

It is important for the Chinese government to cease remonstrations as they will affect China's economic and social stability. Hence, the government should first step in and soothe the anger of demonstrators. However, this will only grant China a reprieve. A permanent solution is what China is seeking for. To me, the secret to restoring order in China lies in trust as I staunchly believe that mutual trust between the government and its people will increase the confidence of the latter regarding the former's ability to cater to its welfare. Only then will protests be quelled and stability be restored in China.

An alternative approach the government can consider is to increase its transparency. Unequivocally, the veil of secrecy over the government’s role sparked off social unrests, as the government had failed to account for the implementation of controversial policies which neglected the rights of minorities, as well as actions such as land seizures which robbed the impoverished of their major source of income, affecting their livelihood. If the government earnestly wants to reconcile with the population, it should justify its actions so as to connect with the people. The Chinese will then realise the government's far-sightedness manifested in its strategies, something which they will eventually benefit from. From another standpoint, the government can revamp its legal system so that harsher punishment can be meted out and this will act as an effective deterrent for corruptive officials. These reforms will enable the government to regain the trust and support of its citizens and allow China to re-embark on its quest to become the world’s greatest economic superpower, backed by united citizens.

On the other end of the globe, America is facing societal problems too, the most significant one being its plummeting academic rankings. This speaks much about the incompetency of products of America’s education system, and I believe the causes of this problem include the high attrition rate of teachers which resulted in the decline in quality of American education, as well as the parenting style in most American families.

I am shocked about this phenomenon because many of the world’s top universities are situated in America, hence the country should be capable of providing quality education. More importantly, America’s future will be dependent on its talent pool, hence it must brainstorm solutions to rectify this issue.

To resolve the high attrition rate of teachers, the American government can consider allocating more funds for upgrading the training program for teachers because this will increase their competency and enable them to assimilate into their teaching environment. Teachers will also discover the joy of teaching, hence will less likely succumb to pressure and resign from their posts which may jeopardise the future of students. In addition, American parents should place less emphasis on self-esteem of their children because it should not stymie their paths to success. Being beneficiaries of education remains the priority as this will improve the children's future prospects and enable them to carve out promising careers. Therefore, parents should seek to stretch their children to their limits and ensure that they benefit greatly from America's education system. I believe the collaboration between government and parents in America will transform students into promising individuals, invariably propelling America’s academic rankings and expanding its talent pool, hence faciliting its economic growth.

In conclusion, a society forms the basis of a country's economy, hence China and America must alleviate their societal problems to consolidate their statuses as economic superpowers. However, obstacles such as mindsets ingrained in citizens will stand in the way of reforms, hence as of now, only one thing is clear: the relentless search for the panacea will go on, and only time will tell. (800 words)

Reflective Journal Entry 3

Question: We have discussed and debated on the Chinese and America perceptions of self. Reflect on the impact of these beliefs in your life.

China and America are the two economic superpowers of the world. Interestingly, despite placing similar emphasis on maintaining economic growth, they differ greatly in terms of their perceptions of self. As we all know, Singapore has fostered strong bilateral ties with China and America, hence the Singaporean perception of self is heavily influenced by those of both countries and actually an amalgamation of both entities, and it is of great pertinence to me.

Firstly, it is evident that the Chinese perception of self is adopted in Singapore, most probably due to the Chinese race forming the majority of its population. Confucianism is essentially an ethical system propounded by the Great Sage, Confucius, during the Han dynasty and it encompasses moral values such as respect for one's elders and the upper echelons of institutions, as well as 'da tong', also known as harmony, which seeks to cease social disruptions and enable a country's progress.

Since young, my parents have been imbibing Confucian values in me because they staunchly believe Confucian ideology is of great moral significance and that it plays an integral part in shaping my deportment. Due to the positive influence from my parents, I am often aware of how I carry myself, including the observation of social etiquette, both at home and in the public. For instance, the only occasion when I actually get the chance to interact with my grandparents and relatives is during Reunion dinner, and in betwixt the cacophony of laughter, I often take the initiative to serve them tea as a sign of respect, and they appreciate my gesture with gaiety. School is another example. Besides imparting knowledge to us, teachers are also entrusted with the responsibility to inculcate moral values in us, most of them stemming from Confucianism. We are also given the opportunity to apply the moral values that we now embody in real situations. Whenever we come across school staff, the most fundamental thing to do is to bow and greet them, by virtue of their authority.

However, conformity can be considered a double-edged sword. By this, I am not implying that compliance is unnecessary, because its absence will most likely result in a pandemonium, but rather, too much conformity can be detrimental. Take principal's dialogues and panel discussions in Hwa Chong for example. Most students ensconced in their seats, including myself, barely exude any enthusiasm, for fear that we would be guffawed at by our peers for the unique perspectives we provide. From past experience, it is also evident that the school rarely approves the suggestions made by the students because they consider them very seriously, hence most students would rather conform to whatever policies the school comes up with than proposing feasible alternatives. In this case, conformity restricts 'innovation' to a certain extent.

As for the American perception of self, it revolves around the principle of liberty. Americans believe that they have individual rights including the freedom of speech, hence will not hesitate to expound their opinions. In addition, they perceive individual rights as a prerequisite for America's development because only when the population acquire what they deserve can the society function properly.

In Singapore, social media platforms such as Stomp are created based on the American perception of self so as to enable the younger generation to express their views freely. They can snap photographs of interesting incidents and upload them onto Stomp to share with other netizens. However, this has attracted ire from non-advocates of social media platforms and given rise to some controversies as it encourages gossiping which is not favourable for youths who are very impressionable, hence liberty has proven itself to be a double-edged sword too. Personally, though I do not surf Stomp, I tend to spend some time on Facebook everyday to chat with my friends and discuss homework with my classmates. However, self-discipline is of paramount importance as Facebook can be addictive. Another thing which I always keep in mind is that I should never post statuses that are prejudicial of one's reputation or worse still, stereotypical of a race because not only is it insulting and can land me in hot soup, but the statuses would be visible to everyone and can offend some, resulting in severe consequences.

In conclusion, I live in a cosmopolitan country, hence am often able to draw parallels to the Chinese and American perceptions of self from the things that I encounter in my daily life. However, I think the Chinese perception of self has had a greater impact on my life because of the fact that I am Chinese, am anchored in Chinese culture and am studying in a school whose emphasis on Chinese culture and values differentiates it from the rest. Hence, Confucian values will definitely continue to shape my life. (796 words)

Reflective Journal Entry 2

Question: Reflect on the working culture and management style in Google and Lenovo. You may choose to explore how far their working cultures and management styles reflect their respective societies, share your personal experiences and opinions on your preference of working culture and management style, etc.

Google and Lenovo. Famous companies. That is the kind of reaction that those names tend to elicit. Indeed, our impressions of companies are generally limited by their sales rather than their internal structures which we often stop short of exploring. Upon closer inspection, it becomes clear that both companies, though of similar prestige, adopt distinctly different approaches in their management styles and working cultures. In fact, the way a company is being run is closely related to the society that it is based in.

To start off, it is interesting to note that Google employees are granted autonomy in almost every single aspect, as seen from the fact that Googlers can patronize cafeterias, indulge in massages or even take part in sports activities with their colleagues during their working hours. Moreover, Google adopts the unique '20 percent rule' whereby Googlers are given time off to brainstorm and embark on creative projects initiated by themselves. After that, peer reviews are conducted and Googlers are encouraged to propose changes if necessary. According to Google, their 'unconventional' working environment will provide Googlers with both extrinsic and intrinsic motivation and maximise their creativity, enabling them to come up with creative projects and improve the company's sales. Google also promotes dissent and encourages its employees to voice their opinions. Apparently, there is an absence of hierarchy and every Googler has an equal say in the company's decisions.

Unequivocally, the Googley way of management is a reflection of the American society (or the West) which has long been promulgating liberalism. Americans firmly believe that they ought to have the freedom of speech and decision-making, and that no one has the rights to govern them for the aforementioned. Most Americans are expressive and also receptive of the different points of view that are propounded by others. They exude a lot of confidence as well, and this may be the reason why they are not at all afraid of voicing their opinions or even going against their superiors, which to them is a social norm. This is not the end: they will stand firm on their beliefs and make sure that their opinions are heard and taken seriously.

On the contrary, Lenovo does not promote autonomy in the workplace. The boss exerts his dominance over his subordinates, and employees are not allowed to interfere with the major decisions made by the company. Furthermore, whenever the higher authorities delegate tasks to employees, the latter is expected to abide by their instructions and complete the tasks before the deadlines stipulated. This is because the Chinese believe that intransigence is equivalent to revolt which is unacceptable.

Indeed, the working culture in Lenovo is heavily influenced by the Chinese society. The Chinese place a lot of emphasis on respect and the preservation of dignity. They are accustomed to the hierarchy which was established by the Chinese Communist Party in the 20th Century. The authorities rule over the people; the people submit to the authorities. As simple as that. That is why the Chinese do not dare to go against those who are deemed as more superior than them. Figureheads will not take into account any remarks made by their subordinates too as they believe the act of going against superiors signifies the challenging of their authority. This has also influenced them to be more conservative.

Frankly speaking, I prefer working in Lenovo to working in Google. Although being a Googler will be less stressful and more lucrative, I do not like its working environment as I have to constantly remind myself to stay task-oriented amidst the distractions around me, and I think Google is taking a huge gamble by associating autonomy and luxury with creativity. Also, my main weakness is my inability to think out-of-the-box. Once, my project mentor pointed out that the hardest part of a project is not the process, but the brainstorming of ideas at the start and I absolutely agree with that. As a result, I have always failed to come up with innovative ideas. All I can do is to join a project group and yearn to contribute during the course of the project. Therefore, if I were to join Google, I will have absolutely no idea of what to do most of the time, since Google advocates innovation and not the following of trends.

I do not like peer review too. Although it appears to foster interactions among the employees and improve the feasibility of projects, has anyone ever considered the possibility that an employee may reject a colleague's idea because it looks promising and marketable? One certainly does not want to come out with a creative project, only to be deemed unfeasible by his/her counterparts because they want to stymie his/her path to success.

On the other hand, even though I will not be able to express myself freely in Lenovo, I will at least have an agenda to follow and I will not be at a loss of what to do. This will hone my organisational skills and improve my efficiency. I do not like to participate in discussions as I do not want them to evolve into heated ones which will do no one good. I also hope that my superiors can guide me along instead of granting me plenty of room to roam, because that will instill a sense of security in me. The meritocratic nature of the company will further fuel my motivation and enthusiasm for my job. In this case, a hierarchy within the company will not do me any harm.

To conclude, I believe that little or no autonomy is more desirable than too much autonomy which will ultimately distract and prevent people from fulfilling the responsibilities that they are entrusted with. Therefore, I see Lenovo as a more probable destination than Google.

Reflective Journal Entry 1

Question: You have attended the first tutorial of Socio-Economic Studies. Reflect on the elective and your expectations. You might want to consider the syllabus, mode of assessment, lessons, possible apprehensions etc.

Introduction

To be honest, prior to the commencement of the first lesson, I was not sure about the main focus of the Socio-Economic Studies (or SES for short) module as I had no prior knowledge of the course. Only after listening to the teacher's enlightening introduction of the module did I come to realise that SES actually explores the pertinent and contemporary issues which exist in Chinese and Western societies (e.g. the different ideologies adopted which may have resulted in a dichotomy) and seeks to equip us with the knowledge and ability to interact with people hailing from various cultural backgrounds, most notably from the East and the West. I have always been fascinated by the differences between the East and the West, hence my curiosity was piqued and I look forward to acquiring more knowledge about the topics within the SES syllabus which are, fortunately, very applicable in today's context. I'm sure it will serve me well for many years to come.

Syllabus

At first glance, I was very impressed with the SES syllabus because the content that will be covered is quite advanced and it requires a certain degree of maturity to understand and grasp the concepts. In fact, what pleased me most was that the school, through the implementation of such a course in the curriculum, was actually preparing us for the perpetually-changing world. Why is that of paramount importance? In my opinion, it is because when we acquire the knowledge of the cultures, economies and not forgetting the problems faced by the East and the West (economic superpowers which have already exerted their dominance for a long period of time), and are able to apply them effectively, we will be able to transcend cultural barriers and better relate ourselves to both the East and the West, hence enhancing our 'versatility' and improving our employability. This edge can make all the difference amidst stiff competition for job vacancies around the world. This may seem pragmatic, but in fact, I am genuinely interested in SES, mainly because it will broaden my horizons.

It is also noteworthy to mention that the SES module can only improve two aspects of Cultural Intelligence, namely CQ Drive and CQ Knowledge. However, equipped with these aspects of Cultural Intelligence, we will be able to build on CQ Strategy and CQ Action which are based on the ability to apply the knowledge gleaned. Only then will we be able to collaborate with our counterparts of different ancestries and make our mark in the global economy.

Mode of assessment and apprehensions

Frankly speaking, I was quite surprised when I discovered that class discussion constitutes 20% of the term grade! That will prompt students to step out of their comfort zones and this is not easy. Two reflective journals will constitute the other 80%, which is a massive percentage to say the least. There is also a 5-minute and a 10-minute discussion, the latter being led by the students, and the sequence being determined by their choice of topics. That is when apprehensions loom. A 10-minute discussion is quite lengthy and it will be quite a challenge to sustain the interest of the audience, thus my speech will have to be phrased in such a way that will hopefully satiate their curiosity. This is not the end: on top of the aforementioned, there will be a term paper and research paper which will constitute 80% of the grade for the semestral assessment, which to me is the most important of all. Whether of not I attain a desirable MSG rests on its outcome, and SES is certainly not an easy module. Nevertheless, I will strive to do my best in everything I do, and hopefully, my efforts will not go down the drain, but bear fruit.

Lessons and expectations

So long as I am interested in a module or a topic, the ways which lessons are conducted do not really matter. Most importantly, the lessons should be informative and they should trigger the students' interest, such that they will not only be courageous enough to contribute ideas, but also offer brand new perspectives which will enhance everyone's understanding of the topics. The students should also be able to identity the relevance of the topics to their lives and to the current world and see if they have the potential to affect the way which the world is run. After skimming through the syllabus, I believe that since the syllabus has been perfectly structured to serve its purposes, the lessons will be thought-provoking and enriching. They will not only enrich my knowledge of current affairs concerning the East and the West, but also my intellect. Regarding my expectations of the module, I hope to take away as many things as possible, ranging from a greater understanding of Eastern and Western cultures to the ability to discern the benefits and detriments brought forth by a movement, policy or even a revolution. I also hope to be more sensitive towards cultural differences and be more accommodating, and I firmly believe that all these things, albeit seemingly trivial, will make me a better person.

In a nutshell, I am really looking forward to the tutorials and will do my best to make the most out of them.