National University of Singapore

This course explores how our brain can affect our behavior. It introduces how classical and modern neuroscience research tools are used to investigate the workings of the brain. The course examines the ethical and social issues raised by recent developments in neuroscience research. In addition, this module is expected to enable students to develop critical skills in analyzing and writing about controversial issues concerning neuroscience and society.

This course explores key contemporary complexities and future urban issues faced by evolving cities. By drawing on the expertise of leading urban professionals, academics, and researchers, students learn to critically analyze and discuss specific topics relating to current urban issues, debates, and technologies. Each run of the course focuses on a topical study or thematic analysis of specific urban issues to provide greater insights and highlight current cutting-edge research and technologies in the field. Students learn, interact, and collaborate with these leading professionals to stay abreast of the latest trends, practices, and challenges to remain informed and adaptable in the ever-changing environment of cities.

This course explores the ways in which Singapore films constitute a national cinema by considering the history and development of local film production as well as closely examining how individual films perform and engage the notion of a Singapore identity. Through a group creative project, students are challenged to make their own Singapore film that involves the practical application of critical ideas and enables students to participate in the ways that a national cinema performs and functions. The films studied may involve mature content and have varied film ratings.

Businesses have been revolutionized with the introduction of new information technologies (IT) and artificial intelligence (AI). This course provides an understanding of the key economic concepts to operate and be a successful IT-enabled and/or AI-driven business and to impart an appreciation of the economic impacts of IT and AI at the firm, market, and societal levels. The course discusses competitive market analysis, IT-related economic issues of pricing and bundling, information asymmetry and uncertainty, as well as AI-related topics of automated decision, and economic impacts of AI technologies.

More people live in cities now than in any other point in history: how does this change human culture and civilizations? Cities tell a story of our world; they are a testament to humankind’s ability to reshape the environment in lasting ways. They reveal how we interact with the environment and with each other. Cities are created in many forms and for many reasons ranging from defense, religion and economic activity. Through case studies this course examines urban history, lived experiences, and how city life has changed over time.

The course explores the connections between sport and history. The course investigates the ways in which history has produced sport. Emphasis is placed upon the ways in which sport has shaped history. This course provides an opportunity to compare societies and cultures as they are reflected in sport and competition. Topics can include pre-industrial forms of sport (in Meso-America, Classical Greece and Medieval Europe, Southeast Asia, and Japan), the impact of industrialization, the emergence of modern team sports, the Olympic movement, Colonialism and Sport, Olympic politics, sport and the American civil rights movement, and sports and globalization.

This course is about learning to recognize and see beyond stereotypes in media by examining cultural icons from Japan's past and present. The course examines samurai, geisha, yakuza, and ninja as they appear in popular culture (film, anime, and manga), and compares them with the historical record. Students gain a richer understanding of the realities behind such icons and are equipped to challenge stereotypes of Japan presented by journalism, popular culture, and the humanistic and social sciences.

This course provides a basic understanding of Malay. Emphasis is on conversational Malay and its practical everyday discourse. To facilitate immersion into the language, students are taught listening, reading, writing, and conversing in basic conversational Malay. The rudiments of Malay grammar are taught where relevant or necessary.

Shakespeare occupies an iconic position in English literature and acquaintance with his plays is expected of the informed reader. This course offers an introduction to a representative range of Shakespeare's works. It approaches them through genre and the informing background of English Renaissance history, culture, and politics. By the end of the course, students have a good understanding of the major themes of Shakespeare’s plays and the milieu within which he wrote and performed.

This course builds an intellectual scaffolding for understanding human anatomy and physiology. The course approaches the subject with an evolutionary and comparative lens so that proximate "how" questions are understood in concert with ultimate "why" questions. Major themes include homeostasis among physiological systems; homology among structures and processes; seeing suboptimal or pathological adaptive solutions as the product of phylogenetic constraints or physiological trade-offs; and human adaptive plasticity in diverse environments. The course pays particular attention to chronic and metabolic pathologies in contemporary urban societies.