NUS-MOE Humanities and Social Sciences Research (HSSR) - Overview
Introduction
NUS-MOE HSSR1 is offered by the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS), National University of Singapore (NUS), and the Gifted Education Branch (GE Branch), Education Programmes Division (EPD), Ministry of Education (MOE). It is an H3 option for ‘A’ Level students who demonstrate outstanding aptitude and ability in one of the following subjects: Chinese Language and Literature, Economics, Geography, History, Literature in English, and Malay Language and Literature.2
Under the programme, students will carry out independent study and research in consultation with an academic staff from the FASS, NUS. This will allow students to pursue their interest in the Humanities and Social Sciences, and add diversity and depth to the ‘A’ Level curriculum. Students will write an Extended Essay, which will be assessed as part of their ‘A’ Level examination.
Aims
NUS-MOE HSSR aims to:
- expand students’ understanding of the individual and society through explorations of different dimensions of the world,
- equip students with some knowledge of research methods,
- encourage students to think critically and creatively about complex issues in their research area, and
- cultivate in students the passion for independent learning.
Time Frame
Application for the programme takes place in September / October (when students are in JC1/Y5/PU2). The programme ends in August the following year (when students are in JC2/Y6/PU3) with the submission of the Extended Essay. The curriculum time is approximately 120 hours of independent work and consultation with an NUS Supervisor.
Time line for 2012 HSSR (application takes place in 2011)
| Date | Activity |
|---|---|
| 24 October 2011 at 1500hrs | Deadline for submission of application forms |
| 4 Jan 2012 0900 to 1230 hrs |
HSSR Briefing (Compulsory for Participants and Teacher Co-ordinators to attend) Venue: |
| 1 Aug 2012 (Time to be confirmed later) |
Deadline for submission of Extended Essay for assessment |
Prerequisites
Since the programme is at H3 level, students must have the necessary knowledge and competencies at H2 level. Thus, students are required to take the corresponding subject at H2.
For example, a student who wishes to offer the programme in Economics must have taken H2 Economics in JC1, and continue taking H2 Economics in JC2.
The table below shows the requisite subject for each of the HSSR options:
| HSSR (as a H3 option) | Corresponding H2 subject (and link to examination syllabus - for reference) |
|---|---|
| Chinese Language and Literature | Chinese Language and Literature Exam syllabus (258kb .pdf) |
| Economics | Economics Exam syllabus (74kb .pdf) |
| History | History Exam syllabus (168kb .pdf) |
Please read our Frequently Asked Questions for more details.
Footnotes:
- Since 2006, the Humanities and Social Sciences Research Programme (JC) [HSSRP(JC)] has been replaced by NUS-MOE HSSR. It is no longer offered as an enrichment programme. HSSR is offered only as an H3 option. ↩
- Note that for the 2012 cycle, HSSR does not offer topics for Literature in English, Geography, or Malay Language and Literature. ↩