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[O] Social Studies Smart Guides

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  1. Issue 1: Exploring Citizenship and Governance

    1. What does it mean for me to be a citizen of my country?
    3 Topics
  2. 2. How do we decide on what is good for society?
    6 Topics
  3. 3. How can we work for the good of society?
    10 Topics
  4. Issue 2: Living in a Diverse Society
    4. What is diversity?
    4 Topics
  5. 5. Why is there greater diversity in Singapore now?
    3 Topics
  6. 6. What are the experiences and effects of living in a diverse society?
    3 Topics
  7. 7. How can we respond in a diverse society?
    5 Topics
  8. Issue 3: Being Part of a Globalised World
    8. What does it mean to live in a globalised world?
    4 Topics
  9. 9. How do we respond to tensions arising from some economic impacts of globalisation?
    3 Topics
  10. 10. How do we respond to tensions arising from some cultural impacts of globalisation?
    3 Topics
  11. 11. How do we respond to tensions arising from some security impacts of globalisation?
    4 Topics
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  1. “Race” refers to the classification of people according to physical characteristics that are biological in nature such as skin colour, bone structures, colour of eyes and hair and jaw structure.
  2. “Ethnicity” refers to one’s ancestry, cultural practices, language, customs, food and dressing that are associated with an ethnic group.
  3. One’s ethnicity can be associated with a set of practices and customs unique to a particular country or region.
  4. Ethnicity can differ within the same racial group, like members of the Miao and Hui communities in China. They may have the physical features of the Chinese race but they are of a different ethnicity, with unique costumes, practices and customs.
  5. There also different ethnic groups within the Malay race like the Bataks, Bugis, Dayaks, etc.
  6. Race and ethnicity shape our identity as we belong to particular racial/or ethnic communities.
  7. These practices and beliefs of these communities shape our way of life, thus influencing our identity.
  8. In Singapore, the terms “race” and “ethnicity” are sometimes used interchangeably.
  9. Most Singaporeans would have their race indicated in their identity cards an these reflect racial markers that have been used to shape policies in the areas of education, housing and welfare.
  10. This categorisation was necessary in our early nation-building days to bring different communities together.
  11. This categorisation has been revised to reflect increasing diversity in Singapore.
  12. On 1 January 2011, Singapore implemented the registration of double-barrelled race option for Singaporean children born to parents of different races. An example of double-barrelled race option is “Indian-Malay” for a child born to Indian and Malay parents, where the races of both parents are reflected in the child’s race.
  13. Before this option was available, parents had to choose between one of two races to indicate for their child.
  14. In Singapore, diversity in terms of race and ethnicity means that many customs are celebrated and observed by the different races and ethnic groups in Singapore.

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