Religion, Politics & Culture: Buddhism and its Impact on Society and the Environmental Movement

As we join our Buddhists friends to commemorate Vesak Day, let us recall how religion still plays a significant role in shaping our cultural identity, political response and approach to social activism around the world.

http://www.religioustolerance.org/buddhism.htm

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lodro-rinzler/buddhism-and-activism-how_b_804162.html

http://newlotus.buddhistdoor.com/en/news/d/31783

http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/desilva/attitude.html

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/21/world/asia/extremism-rises-among-myanmar-buddhists-wary-of-muslim-minority.html?_r=0

http://www.onislam.net/english/news/asia-pacific/486625-dalai-lama-urges-suu-kyi-to-defend-rohingyas.html

http://www.ibtimes.com/why-nobel-laureate-aung-san-suu-kyi-unlikely-heed-dalai-lamas-pleas-help-rohingya-1942838

Like all established religions, the Buddhist faith has also been   (mis)appropriated for various political movements around the world. Political violence and intolerance is one. The case in Myanmar is rather unfortunate. In human history, religion has often been used as a convenient tool to generate political rhetoric and violence on different communities. Recall important case studies you may know within the Christian, Hindu and Muslim faith where the issues and the role of religion in public life continue to generate rich and meaningful  debates between policy-makers and scholars in our region and communities.

Sports, Ethics and Politics: More on the FIFA Corruption Scandal

Easily, the most beautiful game in the world and how it breaches the norms of transparency & accountability in corporate governance...

Even world powers are not afraid to wade into deeper waters as investigations deepen or are there vested interests at work? The fourth article provides an intriguing look into the covert world of international sports where the power struggles for legitimacy, control and influence are often hidden from public view.

https://verdict.justia.com/2011/11/08/stopping-bribery-in-international-sports

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-32889845

http://www.voanews.com/content/swiss-police-arrest-fifa-officials-in-us-corruption-case/2792114.html

http://www.haaretz.com/blogs/jerusalem-babylon/.premium-1.658660

The Changing Face of Politics in Singapore

A fairly comprehensive take on the evolution in Singapore's political culture.
Where would your generation fit in?

https://www.cscollege.gov.sg/Knowledge/Ethos/Issue%2011%20August%202012/Pages/Public%20Engagement%20The%20Gap%20between%20Rhetoric%20and%20Practice.aspx

Global Issues: A-Z (well, almost)

Some of you may already be familiar with this website. It contains rich case studies, provocative findings and authoritative concepts to enlighten and inspire further reading on topics that interest you.

Well corroborated and topics as quoted, are 'inter-related', which is one of the best intellectual attributes students ought to possess by the time they graduate from college.

The ones keen on doing political science in uni will find a good companion here.


http://www.globalissues.org/issue/104/iraq-crisis

Social Issues, Politics and the New Media: Tools used to shape Public Opinion

Key Trends in Social Media: Impact and Influence
http://www.businessesgrow.com/2011/04/04/five-mega-trends-how-social-media-is-transforming-government/

https://agenda.weforum.org/2015/03/5-social-media-trends-that-are-changing-asia/

Regulating the Internet in Singapore:
http://www.economist.com/blogs/banyan/2013/06/regulating-singapores-internet

How Social Factors affect Big Businesses:
http://pestleanalysis.com/social-factors-affecting-business/

Social Issues & Trends@SG: From Buildings to Gardens, Wildlife and Food

Students struggle to rise beyond anecdotal observations whenever they attempt to evaluate ideas with local perspectives in mind or AQ or Singapore-based questions in Paper 1. It's quite sad and ironic that we can't even talk about our own society properly, let alone compare it with others in mind.

This is an updated version of an earlier resource uploaded on Discovery.
Try to know 'something' of everything. Pick your favourite site and focus on 3-4 good ideas and examples in each.

Thing is, you never know. With SG 50 around the corner and the fact that the paper was set 2 years ago, any theme may be featured. The objective is not so much to test. Your markers in England are looking forward to hearing well-substantiated perspectives about your life and experience here.

You deserve to be heard and rewarded-

Educational Trends

·       http://www.oecd.org/countries/singapore/46581101.pdf

·       http://www.singapolitics.sg/views/defence-singapore-education-system

 Socio-Economic Health & Trends (Sports, Politics, Social Advocacy, Youth Culture)

·       http://popspoken.com/issues/2015/03/heres-kuik-shiao-yins-rousing-speech-parliament-youth-inclusivity

 ·       https://www.sggives.org/CheckAccess.aspx?url=/imagerepository/01_top_menu/news/2.%20issues%20faced%20by%20the%20singapore%20community.pdf

·       http://www.nvpc.org.sg/Portals/0/Documents/Knowledge/Social%20Health%20Project/SSHP%20Report.pdf

·       http://www.guidemesingapore.com/relocation/introduction/quality-of-life-in-singapore

·       https://www.cscollege.gov.sg/knowledge/ethos/issue%203%20oct%202007/pages/Rethinking%20a%20New%20Social%20Compact%20for%20Singapore.aspx

·       https://www.redsports.sg/2015/01/22/10-worrying-trends-singapore-sports-culture-dr-ben-tan-parliament-speech/

Trends related to Conserving Heritage (Food, Architecture, Public Spaces), the Past, Sustainability, Animal Welfare  and Environmental Protection

·       http://www.greenfuture.sg/2014/06/08/3-scenarios-for-a-future-sustainable-singapore/

·       http://www.makemytrip.com/travel-guide/singapore/monuments.html

·       http://www.todayonline.com/commentary/holes-heritage-conservation-wall

·       http://www.bukitbrown.org/2014/06/what-future-for-our-past.html

·       http://www.bukitbrown.org/2014/03/growth-v-greenery-where-will-singapores.html

·       http://ifonlysingaporeans.blogspot.sg/2013/04/world-heritage-site.html

·       http://features.insing.com/feature/commentary-the-uncertain-future-of-singapore-s-hawkers/id-972f3101/

·       http://www.asianurbanlab.org/hawker-centres-sitingsighting-singapores-food-heritage/

·       http://www.concern.sg/AnimalWelfare

 Trends in Civil Society

http://www.todayonline.com/commentary/strengthening-civil-society-singapore

https://sg.news.yahoo.com/singapore-government-controls-civil-society-too-much--activists-073524601.html

Social Issues: Key Challenges for Singapore today

Minister Heng's speech features important facts and key concepts on challenges confronting Singapore today. Interestingly, similar concepts from global issues pack and social issues are used to qualify some of his observations here.

This is a bird's eye view on global trends that may affect Singapore's growth strategy and social compact.

http://www.moe.gov.sg/media/speeches/2013/08/06/the-singapore-economy-confronting-challenges-anew.php

Society: History, Key Concepts and Characteristics

What makes up the society that we live in?

Will we ever be equal?

Egyptian and Chinese History and their View of Society (then)

We live in an unequal society. Ancient history has shown us that it has been a key feature in many ancient civilisations around the world. Yet we cannot begin to talk about society intelligently if we do not use important concepts to guide our response.

This useful link provides important definitions and foundational knowledge to common terms we use (sometimes very carelessly in GP) to understand the society we live in...

http://www.sparknotes.com/sociology/society-and-culture/section1.rhtml

Beyond GP and the A-Levels: Life Skills to Master

Hi People,

This simple blog aims to help you make up for lost time by getting you to look at the overall BIGGER picture to GP.

Many interesting and relevant links will come your way.

Instead of merely focussing on doing well in exams (well, better than not bothering), here is an important life-skill I would like you to master for in the months to come. It will be relevant to you beyond the A-levels.

Year after year, students who make effort to design their own notes do the best for every exam.
They learn in ways they best know how, dissect to what matters though re-arranging their notes that best reflect their thinking styles. The teacher serves as a good observer in giving objective feedback.
Few people design a good set of notes only to sabotage themselves in the end.

This is a good resource to explore.

http://theconversation.com/whats-the-best-most-effective-way-to-take-notes-41961

The overall intent is self-mastery which leads easily into good exam performance. Every year, scores of students (adults not exempted) try to fulfil the latter without undertaking the former. Cut down the frustration for good.

First Stirrings...

Hey people,
As promised so that you could get past the loops on discovery...

Are you ready to go?

Do give me your feedback and hope to see it evolve to empower you on the final months ahead.

blessings, ek