Did you know that SSS students can declare selected courses from other programmes as part of their own Major-PE requirements?

Designed to give students greater academic flexibility and the chance to explore topics beyond their primary major, the SSS has introduced a curated list of interdisciplinary Major-PEs open to all students within the School, regardless of their degree programme. This will allow students to explore topics beyond their primary major while fulfilling graduation requirements! How cool is that?

What are the courses available?

Offering Programme	Course Code and Title	Notes
HIST	HH1007 The Making of Civilizations
HIST	HH3013 Comparative History of Race Science
CHIN	HC3001 Modern Chinese Literature	Core for CHIN students (Pre-req: B4 or above in O-Level Chinese or equivalent)
CHIN	HC3003 Southeast Asian Chinese	Core for CHIN students (Pre-req: B4 or above in O-Level Chinese or equivalent)
PSY	HP1000 Introduction to Psychology	Core for PSY students
PSY	HP1100 Fundamentals of Social Science Research	Core for PSY students
PPGA	HA3016 China’s Foreign Policy	Pre-req: HA1001 and HA1012
PPGA	HA3010 Mass Media and Public Policy	Pre-req: HA1003
ECON	MH1820 Introduction to Probability & Statistical Methods	Core for ECON students
ECON	HE5092 Economic Theory	Pre-req: HE5091
SOC	HS2007 Understanding Globalization	Pre-req: HS1001
SOC	HS2028 Graying Society: Issues and Challenges	Pre-req: HS1001
PHILO	HY1001 Introduction to Philosophy	Core for PHIL students
PHILO	HY3001 Existentialism: Freedom, Being, Death
LMS	HG1001 Fundamentals of Linguistics: Mind and Meaning	Core for LMS students
LMS	HG2020 Language in Society	Core for LMS students (Pre-req: HG1002)
ELH	HL1001 Introduction to the Study of Literature
ELH	HL1005 Singaporean Literature and Culture	Pre-req: HL1001

P.S. Not all modules may be offered every semester. Hence, do check whether the module you have in mind is offered so you can plan accordingly!

Why take an interdisciplinary PE?

Let’s be honest—you’ve probably heard enough of the “interdisciplinarity is good for you” and “it makes you competitive” narrative. 

While there’s truth to that, here are some real, practical reasons why students (like myself!) actually enjoy taking interdisciplinary Major-PEs

• It can be fun: Stepping out of your comfort zone can be really, really, really fun! It is a perfect opportunity to do what you usually don’t and gain insights to how other programmes conduct their lessons.
• Meet new people: Who doesn’t love making new friends? Classes outside your major often bring together students from across SSS. It’s a chance to make connections beyond your usual circle!
• Applying what you learn: The best ideas often come from crossing boundaries! What you pick up in a different course might inspire your FYP or other research projects, change how you frame arguments, or give you an edge in graduate school or the job market!

I took HC3003, Southeast Asian Chinese as one of my interdisciplinary MPEs. It’s taught in full Chinese, that alone made it stand out from my usual coursework. At first, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but it turned out to be one of the most enriching experiences in my undergraduate journey!

HC3003 provided a historical lens through which to understand the present-day socio-political and cultural dynamics of Southeast Asia. The course offered more than just a chronological account of Chinese migration to the region, it helped me grasp the long-term impact of migration patterns, identity formation, and political responses that continue to shape the experiences of Chinese communities in Southeast Asia today.

Through discussions on topics such as anti-Chinese movements, Chinese education, and evolving identities, I developed a nuanced understanding of how historical contingencies have informed contemporary attitudes and policies towards ethnic Chinese.

One of the assignments required us to visit an exhibition—something very different from the standard tasks I was used to. This shift in assessment style encouraged me to engage with the material in a more hands-on, reflective way. Of course, I also made a lot of new friends from the Chinese programme and I still keep in touch with them till this day!

What should I take note of?

Do take note of the maximum load allowed. As an SSS student, you’re allowed to take up to 2 courses from the interdisciplinary Major-PEs pool to count towards your own Major-PE requirements. Remember to indicate it as an MPE when you register the  interdisciplinary Major-PE on STARS!

While some of these modules come with pre-requisites, SSS students will be granted a waiver. That means you can register for them even if you haven’t taken the listed pre-requisite courses. However, do keep in mind that these are often higher-level modules, so be prepared to put in extra effort—especially if the content is outside your main area of study. 

Hopefully, this post has convinced you to consider taking an interdisciplinary MPE! If you do take one, I am sure you’ll have an amazing experience:)

(Cover Image Source)

Written by: Loo Hui En

Edited by: Tyra Ang