Search Modules > GEM2906X/UTC2402/UTS2402

Synopsis

TopHow ‘green’ is Singapore and how should we preserve biodiversity on this island?

This GEM explores the rise of the conservation ethic in Singapore. It traces the scientific, social and economic conditions that gave rise to the global environmental movement, and to its various expressions in Singapore.

Students will engage with stakeholders (scientists, officials, civil society) to understand the conflicts and collaborations between advocates of development and conservation. They will initiate their own conversations and give feedback.

The class will make field trips to evaluate state-civil society partnerships, learn about the history between environmental CSOs and the Government, and debate choices and dilemmas for the future.

Learning Outcomes

Top

By the end of the module, students should be able to

Discuss the evolution of Civil Society in Singapore — structure of Singapore governance, role of civil society in shaping Singapore’s political landscape.
Explain Civil Society from different perspectives — government, people. (What happens in a country with NO civil society.)
Outline — Various governmental agencies in SG, and their interactions with Civil Society
Establish conditions that lead to the problem of the commons, apply the concept to a variety of real world scenarios, and suggest solutions.
Interpret environmental law and public/case studies and discuss the role of Environmental CSOs in shaping public perspective and awareness.
Achieve basic eco-literacy on environmental issues relevant to Singapore (esp. biodiversity, water resources, and conservation/development)
Appraise news articles of environmental news happening in Singapore and around the region, and to understand how it affects the nation
Communicate and compose feedback to various agencies and decision makers.
Debate by taking positions of stakeholders (scientists, researchers, civil society, members of the public, and policy makers) in scenarios concerning space use in Singapore.
Identify the economic, social and political contexts of ‘development vs. conservation’ debates

Prerequisites

TopThere is no pre-requisite for the module.

Teaching Modes

TopSmall group lectures, combined lectures, tutorials (group discussion, team projects, case studies), IVLE.

There are weekly seminars, three to four guest speakers, and field visits spread out over the semester

There is no textbook for this seminar. Aside from the reading list, students are expected to be actively engaged in following environmental news and debates pertaining to Singapore and the region (both green and brown issues) through resources such as ‘WildSingapore News’ (http://wildsingaporenews.blogspot.sg).

Students will also be organized in by Week 2 to smaller groups (of 3 to 4 students) for group projects and assignments. These include researching the interests and perspectives of various stakeholders (conservationists and civil society [e.g., Nature Society of Singapore], government [LTA, URA etc etc. ], scientists and academics. This will enable them to go deeper into the positions, values and metrics held by each stakeholder.

Each group will then make presentations and engage in group projects over weeks 3-10, and simulated negotiation towards the end of semester (Weeks 11-12).

Individual assignments are also given out through the course of the semester.

Schedule

Top

Environment and Civil Society in Singapore

GEM2906/SSU2005

CAPT AY 2015/16 Sem. 2

Wk 1	Introduction Read: Yeo,1991	13.1
Wk 2	Civil Society in Singapore Read:Koh and Soon 2015; Andy Ho, 2001; Tan Tarn How 2001	20.1
Wk 3	Gp Assignment 1: News roundup Gp Assignment 2: Group presentations on CSOs (choose from list) Combined session 1: Reuben Wong	27.1 28.1
Wk 4	Tragedy of the Commons Read: Hardin, 1968 Field Trip 1	3.2 6.2
Wk 5	Sustainable development: Agencies in Singapore Read: MEWR Sustainability blueprint Combined session 2: Tan Lai Yong	10.2 11.2
Wk 6	Law vs public opinion; Past and Current Challenges Lye, 2008; Tan & Tan, 2013 Reading Quiz 1 (End pf Week 6)	17.2
TERM BREAK
Wk 7	State of Singapore’s Environment Read: Corlett 2013; ST 5.2013 (“Wild about Nature”); BeMUSE articles	2.3
Wk 8	Conservation battles in Singapore [Read: Wee Yeow Chin; Liu Thai Ker, PWP 2013; Daniel Goh, 2008] Combined Session 3: Nor Lastrina Hamid (Singapore youth delegation rep to COP21)	9.3 10.3
Wk 9	Social media and advocacy [Read: Masterplan; Population White Paper 2013, Land Transport White Paper]	16.3
Wk 10	Letter-writing exercise Field trip 2: Mangrove cleanup	23.3 26.3
Wk 11	Debate preparation Read: Faizah 2013 speech on PWP/Nature; Desmond Lee 2014;	30.3
Wk 12	Stakeholder debate	6.4
Wk 13	Roundup (Reading Quiz 2)	13.4

Grp 1 = Wed, 2pm to 4pm; Venue = CAPT Seminar Room 1
Grp 2 = Wed, 4.30pm to 6.30pm; Venue = CAPT Seminar Room 1
Combined Sessions = Thurs, 7 pm to 9pm CAPT SR1

Field trips

TopThe module includes two fieldtrips.
Field trip dates are fixed and compulsory.

Do not read this module if you are unable to go on field trips.

Week 4: Nature walk on Pulau Ubin (6 Feb 2016) (7:30 to 12 nn)
Weke 9: Mangrove cleanup for World Water Day (26 March) (7:30 to 12 nn)

Assessment

Top There is no final examination for this module. Students are expected to submit individual and group assignments throughout the semeste, which will contribute towards their final score for the module.

Assessment	Weightage (%)
Group Assignments CSOs presentation (10) Weekly news roundup (individual assessment) (15) Stakeholder debate (15)	40
Individual - Tragedy of the commons reflection (4-5 pages) (15) - Quizzes (15) - Writing assignment (10) - Field trip reflections (20) - (+ a modest bonus for class participation and attendance)	60

Preclusions

TopThis module is currently open only to students of the College of Alice & Peter Tan, University Town

Workload

Top2-1-0-4-3

Workload Components : A-B-C-D-E
A: no. of lecture hours per week
B: no. of tutorial hours per week
C: no. of lab hours per week
D: no. of hours for projects, assignments, fieldwork etc per week
E: no. of hours for preparatory work by a student per week