HS1001 Person and Society is one of the most popular courses I know. It is always oversubscribed, with students studying it for their major, minor, second major and electives. As an introductory Sociology course, it covers a plethora of social issues from an academic lens, such as gender, race and crime. Here I’ll be discussing my personal experience in the course for anyone who may be considering taking it!
Course Outline
Main Theme of the Course
The first lecture explains the “Sociological Imagination” which encourages understanding personal issues with larger social circumstances. Each component heavily tested one’s Sociological Imagination (i.e. how one can apply sociological concepts to issues). The course becomes manageable with more application!
Personal expectations going into the module
The first lectures and tutorials felt overwhelming as they introduced a tide of new terms all at once, leaving me feeling slightly apprehensive. Moreover, I was initially taken aback by the amount of readings to be done.
Tips and Tricks
As Prof Shirley and Ms Xinfang (the tutorial TA) were willing to take questions and break down concepts after lectures and during tutorials, I eventually felt comfortable with the content. After clarifying my doubts, the following is how I navigated this course and my semester in general.
First, I would like to shout out to nice quiet study spots like the Arc, and the Hive library.
Second, I did a lot of self-testing rather than simply reading. Testing is a better way to learn than repetition (Kornell, et. al., 2012).
- One method is the Feynman technique. I teach a concept to myself, return to the material if stuck, and then simplify it. I’ve also discussed these concepts with people who have no clue about the topic – it’s fun and helps me identify gaps in my understanding.
- Another testing method is AI platforms such as Revisely.ai, which creates quizzes. I paid about $10 to get more than 10 questions, but free options are available too.
Third, I often slept after reviewing content. After a day of hustle and bustle, it may feel like we are forced to study before bed, but it’s not a bad thing! Studies have concluded that dozing off soon after acquiring information “helps the brain consolidate declarative memories (facts and events) more efficiently” (Newman, 2024). To avoid intense stress before bedtime, I recommend simply thinking of real-life examples.
Next, the course involved learning about different sociological traditions, such as the Marxist, Durkheimian, Weberian and Du Bois traditions. Instead of studying them individually, I found that understanding how these schools of thought interact with one another can give a more comprehensive overview of contemporary issues. For example, when studying the ill effects of capitalism discussed by Durkheim such as anomic suicide, I contrasted it with the ill effects of capitalism discussed by Marx such as alienation. This gave a clearer picture of the impacts of capitalism, allowing me to be comprehensive in my assessments.
Finally, trust the process. Initially, my classmates and I were wondering how complex the questions would be and how we would structure our answers. However, I believe it is sufficient to raise points from lectures and readings and apply sociological concepts to real-life scenarios.
Above all, one trait I tried to embody this semester was…
I didn’t take things too seriously all the time. After studying, I would take breaks and have dinners with my friends, sharing lots of laughter even with the looming midterm and assignments. I then came into tests with a relaxed mind and confidence!
Written by: Nurul Huda Husein
Edited by: Tyra Ang