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.
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