National University of Singapore

This course explores the Southeast Asia region in all its diversity historical, cultural, economic, aesthetic, political, religious, gendered, environmental, and more. The course focuses on human experiences in Southeast Asia and how Southeast Asians engage with global processes. Lectures cover topics that move between the region’s murky past to the cyber spaces of a seemingly borderless future. It provides both an insightful introduction to the region and a foundation for future studies.

This course provides a hands-on project-based introduction to electronic audio circuits for artistic purposes. Through hardware hacking, circuit bending, and circuit building, students gain an understanding of basic electronics theory as well as develop valuable hands-on experience with battery-powered sound-making and sound-processing projects. From repurposing games, toys, and radios to building oscillators, filters, mixers, and amplifiers, and finally interfacing between the physical world and computers via microcontrollers, students explore the artistic potential of electronic circuits. An introduction to the history and current practice of electronic sound art will be integral to the module. The module will culminate in a group installation/performance. No prior experience in electronics or music is assumed, though either would be helpful.

This course develops skills for creating interactive artistic computer systems. In an interactive system, sensors are used by the artist to incorporate touch, gesture, motion, sound, and light to influence the work, common in live interactive music and installation art. It introduces simple sensors and systems for beginners, but allow for more advanced students to work with other tools - Arduino, Max, Processing, etc. It is, therefore, appropriate for students of different experiences and backgrounds with programming. Students will create an artistic work that involves live interactivity. Students may work with image/video, audio, or both.

This course examines issues concerning South Asians in Singapore through a study of the historical and socio-economic development of these communities, and issues pertaining to their identity. Topics include the migration and establishment of South Asian communities in Singapore during the colonial period, from the early 19th century to the middle of the 20th century, and the new movement of ‘professional’ migrants from the sub-continent in the late 20th century; the interplay of state policies in Singapore, local conditions, and linkages with South Asia and their impact on the social, economic and political development of these communities in Singapore; aspects of the everyday life of South Asians in Singapore including language, religion, and popular culture; and how South Asians in Singapore are portrayed and how they perceive and present themselves.