COURSES

I teach courses across all four years of undergraduate education and teach and supervise graduate students. Below you may find the courses I teach and a brief synopsis of them.

DEPARTMENT OF SOCIOLOGY AND ANTHROPOLOGY

National University of Singapore

MAKING SENSE OF SOCIETY

SC1101E
First year, compulsory

This course introduces students to the discipline of sociology. Drawing from a broad range of materials, it is structured to achieve the following objectives: 1) to define the meaning of important sociological concepts and perspectives, 2) to demonstrate how sociologists work by explaining and encouraging students to apply the principles of research and data analysis, and 3) to foster the importance of the critical examination of prevailing knowledge.

SOCIOLOGY OF DEVIANCE

SC2212
Second year, elective

What is “normal”? This module explores the boundaries of “normal” by examining who and what lies outside of “normal” behavior. Defining what is acceptable and unacceptable behavior is as old as time itself. This module will explore the theoretical perspectives developed in the 19th century to understand deviance. Beginning with the classical sociological approaches of Marx, Weber, and Durkheim, this module will then examine how such theories have unfolded in the 20th century, using examples from the 21st century.

EMOTIONS AND SOCIAL LIFE

SC2216
Second year, elective

Considering how emotions factor into so many important decisions we make, it is hard to believe that systematic studies of emotions and their consequences have only taken place in the past 35 years. “Follow your heart” has to be one of the most commonly used expressions when advice is solicited, and is probably what factors into at least half of the decisions we make when it comes to life changing choices. Can you imagine not taking into consideration your feelings when determining what career path to take, where to live, or whom you intend to marry? Emotive concerns factor into many of the important decisions we make throughout our lifetime. How these decisions affect others, society at large, and ultimately, human history, is what we will explore in this course.

SOCIAL THOUGHT AND SOCIAL THEORY

SC3101
Third year, compulsory

This course offers an introduction to classical social thought with the aim of developing a critical appreciation of this body of knowledge, raising fundamental questions about the social and intellectual forces that led to the rise of sociological theory. We will concentrate on the contributions of four major thinkers, three of whom are familiar names to students of sociology, i.e., Karl Marx (1818‑1883), Max Weber (1864‑1920) and Emile Durkheim (1857-1917), whilst the last will be a novelty for most, Harriet Martineau (1802-1876). The inclusion Harriet Martineau within this fold represents an attempt to think explicitly about the logic, rationale and historical process by which the sociological canon is constructed and how it notes and marks some individuals as social thinkers but not others.

LAW AND SOCIETY

SC3215
Third year, elective

This module takes the idea and reality of law as a social phenomenon, drawing on classical and contemporary social theories and on empirical studies on the development of law in pre-modern, modern, and contemporary societies. Basic issues include the following: law versus custom; the idea of justice; types and processes of regulation, adjudication and punishment; law in relation to political power, social inequality and ideology; law as a mechanism for social change; the transformations of modern law; and the organization of modern legal systems. This module is mounted for students throughout NUS with interest in law and its implications on the society.

COMPARING DEVIANCE

SC3226
Third year, elective

This is an advanced course in the sociology of deviance. Whereas the second year course offers a range of theoretical and conceptual approaches to understanding non-conformity and social control, this course (1) focuses on empirical case studies; and (2) adopts a comparative approach to generate insights into larger questions about structures of inequality, power and social justice. It takes up Alexander Liazos’ challenge to not confine deviance studies to “nuts, sluts, and perverts” even if these groups continue to be important subjects of inquiry. Recent literature on deviance committed by the powerful draws parallels between norm violations and human rights violations. The study of deviance is therefore rendered relevant and significant in understanding contemporary social issues.

SELECTED TOPICS IN LAW AND JUSTICE

SC4883
Fourth year, honours elective

This module aims to increase students’ breadth of empirical knowledge and the depth of their theoretical understanding on issues of law, justice, and society. With urbanization and industrialization, modern societies have increasingly depended upon law to regulate the behaviour of its members and the activities of its institutions. This course will explore the Singaporean justice system using examples found elsewhere, such as the United States, United Kingdom, Latin America, and countries in Southeast Asia, to compare Singapore’s unique approach to addressing legal issues.

DEPARTMENT OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN STUDIES

National University of Singapore

LAW IN SOUTHEAST ASIA

SE2880
Second year, elective

This course aims to introduce students to the various discourses concerning law in Southeast Asia. It endeavors to provide students with an understanding of the following: (1) general principles regarding the significance of law in society; (2) an overview of the diverse legal histories behind the countries in Southeast Asia; and (3) a survey of some of the prevailing contemporary legal issues in the region. The module is open to all students throughout NUS and does not require a legal background.

ISLAND SOUTHEAST ASIA

SE3219
Third year, elective

The main countries of island Southeast Asia are Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Singapore. This course examines two of these countries for indepth study, providing a multi-stranded approach to different facets of contemporary life in that country. The module will investigate a variety of themes, such as local democracy, military power, religion, ethnic identities and conflicts, justice and reconciliation, popular culture, music and food. Each theme is integrated, with the aim of developing a more comprehensive understanding of the country in question.

COUNTRY STUDIES: PHILIPPINES

SE5244
Masters, elective

This course provides a multi-stranded approach to understand major political, economic and socio-cultural transformations in contemporary Philippines. The first half of the module will focus on Philippine historical conditions, taking a critical approach to the nationalist, primordialist and modernist visions of the nation. The second half of the module will focus on various topics of relevance to the Philippines, such as the reproductive health bill, typhoons and natural disasters, the recent strengthening of the Philippine Stock Exchange, and Filipino students abroad.

THE DEATH PENALTY IN SINGAPORE

SE5660
Masters, independent study

In this independent study, the topic selected for review was on the subject of death penalty in Singapore. The professional background of the writer as an ex-policewoman in the 1980’s, information technology research analyst in the 1990’s, and a current school teacher since 2001, plays an important role in the choice of topic. Additionally, the selection of topic was also influenced by her academic background majoring in Criminology at baccalaureate level from Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand, and a recent academic research paper “Drugs: The effects on the society and economy and the role of teachers in Singapore” undertaken as a module from the Department of South East Asian Studies, National University of Singapore.

THESIS SUPERVISION

SE5401
Masters, thesis supervision

I supervise an MA student thesis on the extraction of rare earth minerals in the Philippines. We meet at least once a month to discuss the proposal, ethics, data collection, and analysis.