Master of Social Sciences (International Studies) Programme
1
PREPARATORY PROGRAMME: MODULE LIST AND DESCRIPTION
Selected applicants with no/weak background in International Studies are required to take three/five
undergraduate modules in the first semester of their candidature before they can commence on the graduate
course. They are required to pass the undergraduate modules with at least a B-/CAP: 3.0. If a student fails to meet
the undergraduate requirements, he/she will be terminated from the Graduate Programme.
Essentials
1
EC3341
International Economics I
2
PS2237
Introduction to International Relations
3
SC3212
Southeast Asia in a Globalising World
4
SE2213
Politics in Southeast Asia
5
SE2218
Electives
Growth and Development in Southeast Asia
6
EC2373
Global Economic Dimensions of Singapore
7
EC3371
Development Economics I
8
EC3373
ASEAN Economies
9
EC3375
The Asian Newly Industrialised Economies (NIEs)
11
MS2205
Islam and Contemporary Malay Society
12
PS2235
Comparative Study of Development
13
PS2238
International Politics of Northeast Asia
14
PS3234
Comparative Political Economies of SEA
15
PS3235
Politics of Reform in China and Japan
16
PS3236
Ethnicity and Religion in Asian Politics
17
PS3238
International Political Economy
18
PS3239
International Conflict Analysis
19
PS3240
International Security
20
PS3241
International Politics of Southeast Asia
21
PS3246
Corruption and Governance in Asia
22
SC2209
Money, Business & Social Networks
23
SC3205
Sociology of Power: Who gets to rule?
24
SE3218
The Industrial Challenge in Southeast Asia
Module Code: EC3341
Module Title:
INTERNATIONAL ECONOMICS I
Modular Credit: 4
Workload:
2-1-0-2-5
Prerequisites: EC2101/EC2151 and EC2102/EC2152
Preclusions:
EC3205
This module is divided into two main parts. Part I focuses on the micro or 'pure' theory of trade, including those factors which
determine the pattern of trade and the gains from trade, commercial policy, and economic integration. Part II switches attention
to international money and finance and discusses the balance of payments, the foreign exchange market, balance of payments
adjustment mechanisms, policies for achieving internal and external balance, and the international monetary system.
Module Code: EC2373
Module Title:
GLOBAL ECONOMIC DIMENSIONS OF SINGAPORE
Modular Credit: 4
Workload:
2-1-0-3-4
Preclusions:
EC2202, SSA2220
Cross-listing: SSA2220
This course will introduce students to the dynamics of the world economy and the impact on Singapore in the last two centuries.
It will demonstrate how Singapore grew through continual dependence on the rest of the world in different ways by focusing on
major labour, capital and technological factors, in which threats are also seen as opportunities.
Master of Social Sciences (International Studies) Programme
2
Module Code: EC3371
Module Title:
DEVELOPMENT ECONOMICS I
Modular Credit: 4
Workload:
2-1-0-2-5
Prerequisites: EC2101/EC2151
Preclusions:
EC2203, SE3232, EC3223
This module will introduce students to the economics of developing countries. The first three lectures will focus on principles and
concepts of development. The second part of the module will provide an overview of theories of development. The third part will
examine development strategies and policies designed to address issues of growth and development and will, in this instance,
focus on the development experiences of selected Asia-Pacific economies. This segment of the module will provide students with
an appreciation of the development problems, possibilities and prospects in these regional economies.
Module Code: EC3373
Module Title:
ASEAN ECONOMIES
Modular Credit: 4
Workload:
2-1-0-2-5
Prerequisites: EC2101/EC2151
Preclusions:
EC3375/EC3211, EC3376/EC3218, EU3214, SE3231, EC3207
This module analyzes the economic development experiences of the ASEAN economies in post-war years with emphasis on the
role of ASEAN economic cooperation. Major topics covered include agricultural and rural development, industrialization,
international trade, resource transfers, development of local capital, ASEAN's international economic relations and future
prospects for ASEAN growth and economic cooperation.
Module Code: EC3375
Module Title:
THE ASIAN NEWLY INDUSTRIALISED ECONOMIES
Modular Credit: 4
Workload:
2-1-0-2-5
Prerequisites: EC2101/EC2151
Preclusions:
EC3373/EC3207, SE3231, EC3376/EC3218, EU3214, EC3211
The aim of this module is to provide a critical and evaluative survey of the recent macroeconomic experience of the East Asian
NIEs - Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan and South Korea. It also focuses on the future prospects of these economies. The salient
topics covered are: agricultural and rural development, industrial development, trade and development, the behaviour and
performance of the capital market, short-run macro-economic management, poverty and income distribution, the NIEs in the
international economy and the Asian Financial and economical crisis.
Module Code: MS2205
Module Title:
ISLAM & CONTEMPORARY MALAY SOCIETY
Modular Credit: 4
Workload:
2-1-0-3-4
Preclusions:
SE2263, SSA2206
Cross-listing: SSA2206
This module, targeted for FASS students, examines the dominant religious orientation that had evolved among the Malays of
SEA and analyses the socio-historical factors that had influenced such orientation. How the religious orientation conditions their
response to the modern world is then discussed. The module also looks at the phenomenon of the Islamic resurgence and its
effects. It also deals with the style of thought of the religious elite and its impact on the Malays. Apart from these, factors that
condition the image of Islam and the issues relating to Islam in a plural society will also be examined.
Module Code: PS2235
Module Title:
COMPARATIVE STUDY OF DEVELOPMENT
Modular Credit: 4
Workload:
2-1-0-2-5
Preclusions:
PS2205B
This module introduces to students some basic theories on economic and political development. It discusses how the state,
institutions, culture, technology, and globalization may affect the economic development of a country. The module also
introduces to students some theories on political development and changes, such as political reform and stability. Specific
countries are used as cases to illustrate these theories. This basic introductory module is mounted for students interested in
theoretical approaches to economic and political development in different countries.
Master of Social Sciences (International Studies) Programme
3
Module Code: PS2238
Module Title:
INTERNATIONAL POLITICS OF NORTHEAST ASIA
Modular Credit: 4
Workload:
2-1-0-2-5
Preclusions:
PS2208B
The module focuses on the politics of China, Japan, and South Korea with regard to their external relations and foreign policies.
It examines some of the major international relations theories and models to analyze the bilateral and multilateral relations
pursued by these three countries. The module also places emphasis on the trends of changes in foreign policies of these three
countries caused by the end of the Cold War. The module is open to all 1-3 students across faculties.
Module Code: PS3234
Module Title:
COMPARATIVE POLITICAL ECONOMIES OF SEA
Modular Credit: 4
Workload:
2-1-0-2-5
Preclusions:
PS3223, PS3204B
This module identifies and examines the linkages between politics and economics in Southeast Asia. It focuses on structures and
processes responsible for levels of development and differing policy outcomes among the larger countries in the region. The
module will examine regime types as they occur in Southeast Asia with levels of development as well as identify specific regional
characteristics like clientelism and strategic interactions. The module, at a later stage, will involve cross-national comparisons.
This module is ideally suited for students who would like to understand the correlation between politics and economics in
Southeast Asia.
Module Code: PS3236
Module Title:
ETHNICITY AND RELIGION IN ASIAN POLITICS
Modular Credit: 4
Workload:
2-1-0-2-5
Preclusions:
PS3201, PS3206B
One of the main features of Asian politics and government is the complex nexus of ethnicity, religion, and the state. This module
focuses on the colonial formation and postcolonial continuation of these ethno-religious features of politics, known as the politics
of identity in Asia. It explains some major ethnic and religious conflicts in Asia; their impacts on national politics, party systems,
state structures, and government policies; and the role of the state in this regard. The module is available to all 1-3 year
students at NUS.
Module Code: PS3238
Module Title:
INTERNATIONAL POLITICAL ECONOMY
Modular Credit: 4
Workload:
2-1-0-2-5
Preclusions:
GEK3001, GEM3001K, PS3207, PS3208B
Cross-listing: GEK3001
This course presents a broad overview of international political economy (IPE). It introduces the student to main theoretical
approaches, concepts and substantive issues in the IPE field, and help him/her better understand the relationship between
power and wealth and the interplay of economics and politics in the world arena. After a critical evaluation of major theoretical
perspectives on IPE, this course examines the politics in some core issue areas, such as economic interdependence, international
division of labor, international trade, multinational corporations, regional cooperation, and North-South relations.
Module Code: PS3239
Module Title:
INTERNATIONAL CONFLICT ANALYSIS
Modular Credit: 4
Workload:
2-1-0-2-5
Preclusions:
PS3209B
The module aims to provide a broad understanding of international conflict situations, conflict behaviour and attitudes. It deals
with the nature, type and sources of conflict. Based on insights from general conflict studies it explains conflict pathologies and
the debilitating effects of protracted social conflicts. It also analyses various conflict resolution strategies by focusing on
negotiation techniques, third party mediation and intervention. Bearing in mind that conflicts are mostly transformed rather than
eliminated the module assesses the experience of peace-promotion and peace-building in post-conflict societies. The module is
meant for students keen on a multi-disciplinary approach to international conflict.
Master of Social Sciences (International Studies) Programme
4
Module Code: PS3240
Module Title:
INTERNATIONAL SECURITY
Modular Credit: 4
Workload:
2-1-0-2-5
Preclusions:
PS3210B
This module examines key issues pertaining to international security including: the various approaches to studying international
security, the nature of interaction among various levels (national, regional, international) of security, and the major security
threats caused by the expansion of conventional arms, proliferation of nuclear arsenal and the spread of biological and chemical
weapons. The rise of non-traditional security threats in world politics, especially Southeast Asia, and of Asia, particularly China,
as a security concern internationally is also analysed.
Module Code: PS3241
Module Title:
INTERNATIONAL POLITICS OF SOUTHEAST ASIA
Modular Credit: 4
Workload:
2-1-0-2-5
Preclusions:
PS3215, GEM3003K, PS3211B
This module examines the evolution of Southeast Asia as a region in international politics. The emphasis of the module is on the
impact of external actors on Southeast Asia, albeit the module will also deal with regional developments and indigenous
initiatives. Initially, the module will deal with past developments that affected the region. The second half will deal with more
contemporary regional developments, some of which are still ongoing. This module will be extremely useful for students who
would like to understand regional political issues.
Module Code: PS3246
Module Title:
CORRUPTION AND GOVERNANCE IN ASIA
Modular Credit: 4
Workload:
2-1-0-2-5
Preclusions:
PS3221, PS3216B
This module analyses the linkage between corruption and governance in ten Asian countries namely, China, Hong Kong SAR,
India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mongolia, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea and Thailand. It examines the situation in these
countries by focusing on these five aspects: the policy context, the extent of corruption, the causes of corruption, the anticorruption measures employed, and the evaluation of these measures. This module is designed for those students with some
background in public administration and policy.
Module Code: SC2209
Module Title:
MONEY, BUSINESS & SOCIAL NETWORKS
Modular Credit: 4
Workload:
2-1-0-2-5
This module focuses on the sociology of economic life. At the micro level, it examines the social relationships that are formed
when economic transactions are performed. At the macro level, it analyses the role of social institutions in influencing economic
behaviour. In the course of this module, students will be introduced to key concepts such as competition, entrepreneurship,
business networks, trust, social capital and economic globalisation. It will also introduce students to social networks analysis.
This module is mounted for students throughout NUS who are interested in understanding how societies are organized within
their respective economic environments.
Module Code: SC3205
Module Title:
SOCIOLOGY OF POWER: WHO GETS TO RULE?
Modular Credit: 4
Workload:
2-1-0-3-4
This module introduces students to political sociology which is broadly concerned with understanding such phenomena as power,
state and society relations, and the nature and consequences of social conflict. The main concerns of this module are issues
pertaining to modern society and capitalist development, referring to diverse cases from Western Europe to Southeast Asia. We
will also be looking at the state, civil society and societal movements, including that of labour, and such contentious
contemporary issues as economic globalization, US global hegemony, and terrorism.
Master of Social Sciences (International Studies) Programme
5
Module Code: SE3218
Module Title:
INDUSTRIAL CHALLENGE IN SOUTHEAST ASIA
Modular Credit: 4
Workload:
2-1-0-4-3
Preclusions:
SE2215
"To industrialise or not" -- this is the challenge faced by Southeast Asian economies. Why have some economies industrialised
faster than others, particularly in the promotion and development of the manufacturing sector? In some economies, the
manufacturing industries have remained backward and labour intensive. However, in other economies, they have become
modern and capital intensive. This module will examine the industrial development processes that have taken place in Southeast
Asia by analysing the various constraints faced by these economies and the responses that have been undertaken by their
respective governments including whether to adopt inward-looking or outward-oriented industrialisation policies.