Subject Streams
Arts and Humanities Stream
Subjects in the arts and humanities deal with social culture and the changes in our world. It is said to be the more creative stream. These subjects normally involve essay writing using creative and critical analysis of a subject. There are often less pupils in this stream due to the relatively smaller number of jobs out in the society that requires knowledge of these subjects.
Art
This subject involves the study and appreciation of visual arts. It is available as a H1, H2 and H3 subject. As a H1 subject, the topics taught are Realistic representations, Abstract representations, New media representations, About people, About society and About culture. As a H2 subject, the topics taught are all extensions of the H1 topics with the addition of having studio practices. The H3 programme for Art is the Theory of art.
Chinese/Malay/Tamil Language and Literature
These subjects involve the study and appreciation of the Chinese/Malay/Tamil language and their different types of text. They are available as a H1, H2 and H3 subject, although H1 students will not be able to study the Literature component. These subjects allow the students to learn more about and appreciate their Mother Tongue’s culture through the study of the language and its literary texts.
Economics
This subject involves the study of real-life economies and how they function. It is available as a H1, H2 and H3 subject. As a H1 subject, the topics taught are Microeconomics and Macroeconomics. As a H2 subject, the syllabus is broken down into more detailed topics as compared to H1. The topics taught at H2 level are Market system, Market failure and government intervention and National and International Economy. Under the H3 programme, an addition of the topics Study of economics, Firms and market failure and Regional and international economics are also taught.
General Studies in Chinese
This subject involves the study of general topics (society, education, culture etc.) using the Chinese language. It is only available as a H1 subject. As a H1 subject, the topics taught are Important local issues, Chinese culture and values and Important international issues.
Geography
This subject involves the study of the earth as well as the people living on it. It is available as a H1, H2 and H3 subject. As a H1 subject, the topics taught are Lithospheric processes and The globalization of economic activity. Pupils are to choose one of the following two topics to complete their Geography course: Hydrologic processes or Urban issues and challenges. As a H2 subject, the topics taught are all the H1 subjects with the addition of Atmospheric processes and Population issues and challenges. Pupils taking Geography at H2 level will have to take both the topics Hydrologic processes and Urban issues and challenges, unlike the H1 students who only have to choose one. The H3 programme for Geography takes the form of a taught component, Geography explored and a self research component, Geography enquiry.
History
This subject involves the study of events of the past and how they affect our present. It is available as a H1, H2 and H3 subject. As a H1 subject, the main syllabus is International history and the topics taught are The Cold War and how it shaped the world, The development of the global economy and Conflict and cooperation. As a H2 subject, the topics taught are all the H1 subjects as well as the syllabus of Southeast Asian history, which includes the topics of How independence was achieved, Challenges to independent Southeast Asian states and Regional conflicts and cooperation. The H3 programme for History takes the form of writing a research essay, with two extra topics taught, Investigating history and Historical inquiry.
History in Chinese
This subject involves the study of history in Chinese. It is available as a H1 and H2. As a H1 subject, students are to take one paper of their choice on one of the following topics: East Asia, Southeast Asia, South and West Asia or European history. As a H2 subject, students are to take two papers of their choice on the above four topics.
Literature in English
This subject involves the study and appreciation of different types of English text. It is available as a H1, H2 and H3 subject. As a H1 subject, students have to take Paper 1, which involves a section on poetry, prose and drama each. As a H2 subject, students not only have to take paper 1, but also have to offer one of the four elective papers, Paper 2 to 5. Paper 2 and 3 involves period-based literature while Paper 4 and 5 involves topic-based literature. The H3 programme for Literature takes the form of a research essay as well as an evaluative commentary.
Management in Business (Only Available in CI)
This subject involves the study and understanding the nature and scope of business and its role in society. It is available as a H2 subject. As a H2 subject, the topics taught are Business and its environment, People in organizations, Marketing, Production and logistics, Business finance and Information for decision making.
Music
This subject involves the study and appreciation of music. It is available as a H2 and H3 subject. As a H2 subject, the topics taught are Gamelan, Instrumental ensembles – Sizhu and Chuida, String music from the Carnatic and Hindustani traditions, Neo-classicism and Songs. The H3 programme for Music takes the form of a research project where students have to submit an essay with illustrative materials.
Theatre Studies and Drama
This subject involves the study and appreciation of plays, musicals and other various performing arts. It is available as a H2 subject. As a H2 subject, students are to answer questions based on the topic of World theatre and drama, do an individual skills and group presentation and write a critical commentary on his individual skills presentation which must be submitted before his presentation.
Language Subjects
These subjects are not content-based subjects and therefore, are not grouped into streams. There are four language subjects: Mother Tongue Language (Chinese, Malay, and Tamil), French, German and Japanese. Mother Tongue Language is taken at H1 level while the others can be taken at either H1 or H2 level. Mother tongue language is compulsory for all students unless the student obtains a grade of D7 or above for their higher mother tongue language 'O' level examination. In order to study French, German or Japanese, they must have already studied it as a third language in secondary school. Note that these three third language subjects can be used as an art and humanities stream subject if taken at H2 level.
Compulsory Subjects
These compulsory subjects are also not content based and therefore, are not grouped into streams. There are three of these subjects: General Paper (GP), Project Work (PW) and Knowledge and Inquiry (KI). All students preparing for 'A' level must take these subjects except for KI, which can be used to replace GP. They are all taken at H1 level except for Knowledge and Inquiry, which is taken at H2 level. These subjects test the reasoning and communication skills of the pupils rather than facts and theories.
GP tests the students on their general knowledge and reasoning skills.
PW requires the students to embark on a research project and produce a written report, oral presentation and personal portfolio by the end of it.
KI is a new subject introduced from 2006 onwards, it trains the students to think critically and logical using various scenarios as examples. The mode of assessments for KI is through 3 components: essays, answers to critical thinking questions as well as an independent study.
