FW2016

Authors
Tiffany Goh Qi Qi, Steffi Koh Min Xuan, Amir Bin Yusof, Goh Rui Qi

Supervisor
Asst Prof Debbie Goh Pei Chin

Year
2016

Abstract
This is a feature writing project on how different sectors of Singapore’s society manage post-traumatic stress, and it looks into whether the country is psychologically prepared for crises. Collated into a feature magazine, the stories are split into three main segments, spanning from the preparation measures taken by nation to the social and legal challenges faced by trauma survivors. The stories are interspersed with snapshots showcasing healing options that trauma survivors turn to, aside from conventional psychotherapy and medication.

Click link to view 
http://hdl.handle.net/10356/66870

Authors
Rebecca Faith Iskandar Tjoa Shu Fei, Rahimah Beghum Bte Abdul Rashith

Supervisor
Asst Prof Debbie Goh Pei Chin

Year
2016

Abstract
An aging population without the caregivers to match. Singapore is ageing at an unprecedented rate. There is a lot of talk about letting the elderly lead a more dignified life but largely absent from the conversation are the people who support these seniors.

People who are not dying but still battle sickness around them each day. People who worry about the health of others as their own. People who are caregivers of the elderly. These are not the healthcare professionals who spend years in training but every day people who dedicate years of their lives to caring for their loved ones as age catches on. Caregivers are women, men, daughters, sons, in-laws, spouses, maids, friends, colleagues and family members, who are pillars of support in times of their loved ones’ old age. Yet, each faces unique hurdles in his or her circumstances.

Half a century of increasing life expectancy has spread the weight of caring for a growing number of elderly over the smaller families of today. Caregivers are stretched thin as family sizes shrink and some become the default choice as caregiver in the family. They can feel like a population abandoned— aching bodies, lost time, vanishing savings— they shoulder the burden of looking after their loved ones, ignoring the strain on their own backs. In return, they lose out at work, miss important social gatherings and worse, neglect their own needs.

As a modern society entrenched in conservative values, it has become shameful to ask for help. Ageing issues are kept behind closed doors even as families struggle to cope with caring for their elders.

In this research, the project team spoke to experts, counsellors and researchers, and gathered stories of caregivers who shared their trials and tribulations, strength and sorrows. Here are the stories.

Click link to view
http://hdl.handle.net/10356/66686

Authors
Ng Li-Ting Andrea, Catherine Jane Nicholas, Nur Diyanah Binte Abdul Aziz, Smita Wee Shu Min

Supervisor
Asst Prof Debbie Goh Pei Chin

Year
2016

Abstract
The roots of literature in Singapore stretch back to the island’s colonial past, when it was used to teach students the values of their English colonial masters. When Singapore gained independence in 1965, there was less of a need to study such values, neither was there space for an art form seen to contribute little to the economic progress of pragmatic Singapore. Snuffed by society in its decades-long push for progress through math and the sciences, and by students for being a “hard to score” subject, literature’s place fell behind.

Yet, despite that, the literature scene has been quietly blooming on its own, with passionate characters doing their part to push literature further to the forefront of society and into the hearts of Singaporeans. This feature writing final year project thus seeks to explore the different characters in the close-knit Singapore literature scene as they work to keep literature alive in Singapore. All the while, overcoming the challenges of old and new times, particularly, the notorious enemy of the pen and paper – electronics and digital platforms.

Click link to view
http://hdl.handle.net/10356/66796

Authors
Nicole Chia Hui Ming, Ng Xiang Ting Charmaine, Ng Gewen Godwin, Constance Yeo Hui Ting

Supervisor
Asst Prof Debbie Goh Pei Chin

Year
2016

Abstract
This feature writing project is a culmination of stories on Singapore’s multiracialism and progress in achieving equality for all races. It is brought together by more than 60 interviews with individuals, experts, politicians and activists.

Throughout Singapore’s 50 years of independence, multiracialism has been one of the core tenets of the country’s governance, and has been continually emphasised by the government as a key to the country’s social stability and economic success. But recent stocktakes of interracial relationships among Singaporeans and notable pushback from minority races hint at room for improvement in racial relations. While the government has put in place measures to combat racial prejudice from surfacing in areas such as politics and public housing, stereotypes, prejudices and even discrimination still manifest among Singaporeans on the ground.

Through the themes of discrimination, representation and identity, this project looks at the state of interracial relations among students, teachers, colleagues and families. It highlights the types of racism experienced every day by minority races; the actions taken by activists to bring these issues to light in a society where talking about race is considered taboo; and the efforts by minority groups trying to assert their ethnic identity.

Click link to view
http://hdl.handle.net/10356/66859

Author
Liu Ting Ting

Supervisor
Prof Hao Xiaoming

Year
2016

Abstract
This is a Chinese language feature on immigration and integration policies in Singapore. The immigration and integration issue is one that is complex and difficult to unravel. Numerous government policies have been mooted and implemented to better integrate immigrants into Singapore society, to varying degrees of success.

Out of the many recent policies, none is perhaps as controversial as the Population White Paper of 2013 (National Population and Talent Division, 2013) which suggested amongst many things – that a population of 6.9 million is necessary for Singapore’s economy to remain competitive (National Population and Talent Division, 2013). The groundswell of opinions that arose from the incident solidified it as one of the most important events that highlighted the tension that existed between Singaporeans, new citizens and the migrant workforce. Incidents such as the Little India riot in the later part of the year and local protest against the Philippines Independence Day event, the following year, only served to further divide public opinion on the matter (Tan K. P., 2015).

While the mainstream media have addressed the issue of immigration and integration in the aftermath of these incidents, commentary of these incidents have often been single dimensional. News reports addressing immigration and integration concerns usually take on the format of a group of scholars discussing the issue alongside government officials (Lim, 2015). What these reports tend to overlook are the alternate voices that have found a platform and audience via social media. While these voices have a tendency to project controversial sentiments and/or populist ideas, what is undeniable is that these voices, together with the narratives supplied by the mainstream media form a collective opinion on the issues of immigration and integration (Chong, 2015).

It has been three years since the controversial Population White Paper and it is a good time to take stock of the various initiatives that have since taken place. Through the interviews with members of the academia, “controversial” figures and the “men/women-in-the-street”, the author collected a compilation of stories and ideas in an attempt to provide a clearer picture of the current challenges and issues surrounding immigration and integration, as well as point the way forward for the future.

Click link to view
http://hdl.handle.net/10356/66872

Authors
Choy Xin Ying, Lu Yawen

Supervisor
Prof Hao Xiaoming

Year
2016

Abstract
This is a Chinese journalism feature series on female ex-offenders in Singapore which focuses on the self, family and community effort in their rehabilitation journey. It explores the different challenges faced by female ex-offenders (as compared to male ex-offenders) in reintegrating into society successfully.

A series of features tells of how imprisonment changed an ex-offender’s attitude to life and how being employed played an important role in her reintegration journey (摆脱毒品 争得自由); how opportunities of employment through rehabilitation programmes helped ex-offenders get back on track (重回职场 自力更生); how family played different roles in two ex-offenders’ life and the relationship of incarcerated mothers and their children (为了家 不再回头); how volunteers provided ex-offenders with social support in their reintegration (义工故事: 让她们找回灵的归宿); how an ex-offender used her background to connect easily with other ex-offenders and the reasons behind her avid volunteering work (迷途知返 不再孤‘毒’).

Click link to view
http://hdl.handle.net/10356/66837