The Humanities Department runs courses in Art, Geography, History and Literature in English which are offered at H1, H2 and H3 level.
Students who are interested in taking the AEP will be required to sit for the Higher 2 (H2) and Higher 3 (H3) Art syllabus.
The H2 Art syllabus will commence in 2006 while the H3 Art syllabus in 2007.
H1 (Art)
Introduction
Students offering Higher 1 (H1) Level Art syllabus will investigate artistic conventions and concepts through the study of artists and artworks. Visual literacy such as perception of and responding to visual images, as well as critical analysis of visual information are also developed.
Click here to view the syllabus and assessment format for H1 Art.
H2 (Art)
Introduction
The Higher 2 (H2) Level Art syllabus is designed to provide students with an in-depth study in the visual arts. The process of art making involving the use of a variety of media and technologies, as well as its role in the development of critical thinking, continue to be maintained. These aptitudes are essential in the face of the challenges of the knowledge-based and innovation driven economy.
In addition to the practical experiences, students at this level, being capable of higher-level thinking, will investigate artistic conventions and concepts through the Study of Visual Arts component. Visual literacy skills such as perceiving and responding to visual images, and analysis of visual information are further enhanced and developed in these syllabuses.
Click here to view the syllabus and assessment format for H2 Art.
H3 (Art)
Introduction
All AEP students would be offered Higher 3 (H3) Level Art syllabus in JC2. The H3 Level Art syllabus will begin in 2007 and it complements the H2 Level Art Syllabus, providing students who have exceptional interest and ability with opportunities to be engaged in the Theory of Art. The H3 Level Art syllabus enhances the competencies acquired in the H2 Level and further challenges students to think beyond the making and appreciation of art. It engages students in theoretical and critical discourses of art in the way it is perceived, defined and practiced. The H3 Level Art syllabus lays a foundation for academic engagement in Art at tertiary level.
Entry Requirements for H2 and H3: Students who wish to do art at H2 & H3 level are required to sit for a Drawing & Painting Test and a Written Test administered by NYJC AEP teachers to assess their aptitude for the course. Students are also required to go through an interview and present their portfolio.
Click here to view the syllabus and assessment format for H3 Art.
H1 (Geography)
Designed to cater to different needs
Equivalent to half of H2 in breadth but similar to H2 in depth.
| Topics | |
| Compulsory Topics | 1. Lithospheric Processes, Hazards and Management
(plate tectonics, weathering and mass movement) |
| 2. Globalisation of Economic Activity (uneven development in the global economy, transnational corporations and role of the state and the supranational bodies) | |
| Optional topics: One of these |
1. Hydrologic Processes, Hazards and Management (includes
the hydrological cycle, channel morphology and processes in
drainage basins, river floods, catchment management) |
| 2. Urban Issues and Challenges (urbanisation, urban dynamics and managing urban environments) | |
| Topics | |
| Physical Geography | 3 topics are Lithospheric Processes, Hazards
and Management; Atmospheric Processes, Hazards and Management;
Hydrologic Processes , Hazards and Management. |
| Human Geography |
3 topics are The Globalisation of Economic Activity: Population
Issues and Challenges and Urban Issues and Challenges geographical
skills and techniques. |
Click here to view
the syllabus and assessment format for H2 Geography.
H3 (Geography)
H3 Geography consists of a variety of learning opportunities (e.g.
advanced content, research paper, university module). For able students
who are interested to broaden the subject and expand their intellectual
horizons on geography. Offered only in JC2.
Pre-requisites
Students are encouraged to have background knowledge of secondary
school geography.
Click here to view
the syllabus and assessment format for H3 Geography.
History
H1 and H2 History aims to enable students to:
- develop an interest in and enthusiasm about the past;
- acquire an understanding and a sound knowledge of selected periods or themes;
- gain an understanding of historical concepts such as change and continuity;
- explain the interplay of cause and effect of historical events;
- appreciate the nature and the variety of historical sources and understand the methods used by historians;
- grasp the diverse approaches to and interpretations of historical issues;
- think independently and make informed judgement of issues; and
- develop empathy with people living in diverse places and at different times.
H1 History consists of the paper International History, 1945-2000.
The paper International History, 1945-2000 focuses on the key developments and events that shaped the international order after 1945. These key developments and events will be studied in the context of the following themes:
- The origins of the Cold War in Europe after World War II
- The extension of the Cold War throughout the rest of the world
- The end of the Cold War
- Growth and problems of the Global Economy
- Rise of religious fundamentalism
- Conflict and instability in the Middle East and Asia
- The United Nations and global affairs
In exploring these themes, candidates must be able to:
- examine the forces that shaped the international order after 1945;
- explain the interconnectedness of themes and the complexities of historical developments; and
- understand the making of the multi-polar world.
Click here to view the syllabus and assessment format for H1 History.
H2 History consists of both the paper International History, 1945-2000, and the paper History of Southeast Asia, c. 1900-1997.
The paper History of Southeast Asia, c. 1900-1997, focuses on the themes of nationalism, independence, nation building and regionalism in Southeast Asia between 1900 and 1997. The themes will be studied in the context of the following:
- Origins, nature and development of pre-war nationalism in Southeast Asia
- Colonial governments’ response to national movements
- Impact of World War II on the development of nationalism
- End of colonial rule
- Search for political structures and governments
- Economic development and consequences
- Different approaches to national unity
- Inter-state tensions in Southeast Asia
- The development of ASEAN
The paper emphasises cross-comparative studies of countries in the Southeast Asian region during the different stages of their experience between 1900 and 1997. It is recommended that the case studies be carefully selected to provide a meaningful study of the similarities and differences in the historical developments of this region.
Click here to view the syllabus and assessment format for H2 History.
H3 History is intended for candidates who demonstrate an exceptional ability and passion in History. It provides opportunities for candidates to explore historical issues and events in greater depth, and promotes an appreciation of the nature of History as a discipline. The H3 History syllabus is designed to offer intellectual challenge and rigour as it expects candidates to think independently and to develop critical inquiry. It takes the form of a roughly 4,000 words research essay on a topic of the candidate’s choice.
Pre-requisites for studying History
- H1 History:
There are no pre-requisites for H1 History.
- H2 History:
It is an advantage to have taken ‘O’ Level Full History or Combined Humanities (History) as well.
- H3 History:
Offered on a case-by-case basis to interested and capable students. Application is done directly through subject tutors.
Click here to view the syllabus and assessment format for H3 History.
The course aims to initiate students into the world of Literature, comprising the best works of poetry, novels, and plays selected from the last four centuries or more. Students will not only learn to appreciate the use of literary English in its best form but also learn to appreciate the artistic side in the dramatisation of these works, as well as their links to other areas of the arts. These will provide them with an insight into what is commonly called 'the human condition', that is, the unavoidable and often painful contingencies of life which lie outside human control. They include the facts of injustice, chance and accident, disaster and death, the tension between the natural and the supernatural and the great metaphysical uncertainties. Literature is grounded fully into life and a student who wants to improve his perceptions of life and who has an awareness in engaging human relationships would do very well.
Students intending to study Literature at this level need a good command of English although it is not essential to have studied Literature at 'O' level. More importantly, the students must love reading, be it poetry or prose.
The College library is now well-stocked with a wide range of literature, both classical and popular. You can supplement the prescribed texts with other novels and plays. In addition, there is a wealth of material on Literature on the Internet. Students are encouraged to use the Library Resource Centre to surf the net and access biographical details of writers, read critical essays on their works and even download audio files and video clips for research or simply for pleasure.
This course is also available at H1 (Subject Code 8810, 8811 for examination from 2013) and H3 (Subject Code 9805) levels. H1 level is invaluable to Science students who wish to learn to engage with texts at various cognitive and affective levels. H3 Literature is intended for students who display an exceptional ability and interest in the study of Literature, and are willing to pursue their studies to a greater depth and with greater specialisation.
