GES1035/GESS1025

Tutorial 1: Meritocracy - nation building

Pre-course survey
[Link]
Roadmap

Aministrative Matter
(Ground rules, Expectations, Assessment Breakdown)
Introduction (Lets get to know each other~)
Group formation
Discussion on today’s topic - MERITOCRACY
 Groud Rules

Respect! Participate
Let’s keep this a safe space to learn Share your thoughts & experiences (they matter)
Issues may be sensitive, hear each other out If you have any concerns or issues that you need me
Compassionate & empathetic to know about, do see me in person or drop me an
1st Sociology or FASS module for some, we’re email
all here to learn together :) (I only reply emails between 9am - 6pm)
Course Expectations & Goals

The Sociological Lens @_@

Learn and think critically about issues in Singapore
Critically reflect on Singapore’s post-independence history and
development
Understand the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats that
would facilitate or hinder Singapore’s goals
Deliberate upon the range of stategies and policies that would enable
Singapore to achieve its aspirations
WATCH THE VIDEOS AND READ MANDATORY READINGS BEFORE
TUTORIAL
Assessment Breakdown (100% CA)
100% continual assessment (CA) component
Assessed on a Pass/Fail (CS/CU) grading scheme (YAY!!!!)
BUT you can fail... THOUGH it is harder to fail than passing...
This information can be found in the course outline on Canvas
Open-Book Individual Quiz (30%)

There will be an IN-PERSON open-book quiz on Friday, 17 April 2026. It will be held from 6.30pm
to 7.30pm.
If the date and time of your allocated test clashes with any of your other courses, you will NOT be
allowed to take GES1035/GESS1025 and will have to drop it.

Please therefore check there is no schedule clash as there will be NO make-up test. All topics in the
course will be covered. Further instructions about the quiz will be announced later in the semester.
Open-Book Individual Quiz (30%)

There will be an IN-PERSON open-book quiz on Friday, 17 April 2026. It will be held from 6.30pm
to 7.30pm.
If the date and time of your allocated test clashes with any of your other courses, you will NOT be
allowed to take GES1035/GESS1025 and will have to drop it.

Please therefore check there is no schedule clash as there will be NO make-up test. All topics in the
course will be covered. Further instructions about the quiz will be announced later in the semester.
Group Presentation and Tutorial
Participation(35%)
Presentation (15%) & Participation (20%)
Each discussion session will involve one group scholarly presentation.
Your group is required to propose and describe your response/recommendation to critically
address what your group collectively considers to be the most compelling problem, challenge,
dilemma or issue for the topic under investigation for that week.
The group presentation will:
Explicate the problem or issue, and provide support on why this problem or issue has been
selected;
Specify what the proposed response/recommendation(s) will attempt to do and why it will
help address the problem or issue. This could be in the form of an organization, policy
framework, social media outreach, etc., which should consider the feasibility and practicality
of such a response/recommendation;
Employ at least two other relevant scholarly readings/chapters from an academic journal or
book to help substantiate your arguments (in addition to the mandatory reading);
Provide an example of an organisation or group in Singapore or elsewhere beyond Singapore
doing similar work (The organisation need not be tied to the state and can include civil society
organisations).
The presentation should last no longer than 20 minutes.
After the presentation, the proposal will be assessed by the other groups who are not presenting.
Groups will be given 10-15 minutes to discuss with one another. Each non-presenting group will
then provide their questions and comments to the presenting group.
These responses will be assessed as part of the tutorial participation score (20%).
The group in charge of presenting the proposal for that session should take note of the questions
and comments, and provide a final response to all of these collectively after all groups have
provided their feedback.
The final grade given to the group will consider their proposal, presentation, and their responses
to the questions and comments made by the representatives of the other groups (15%).
Tutorial participation (20%) will also include the informed
contributions and questions to class discussion beyond the group
presentations.
Not just attendance, but participation.
Your participation is crucial to our course. You must arrive on time for
all tutorial sessions and please come to class having done the
readings and viewed the lectures.
If you cannot attend the tutorial, email me and inform me which
tutorial class you wish to attend alternatively.
PRESENTATION GROUP WRITE-UP (15%)

Your group will then be required to produce an academic write-up of your presentation.
Your paper should take into account any relevant comments and feedback of your class
presentation that will enable you to strengthen your analysis further.
Introduction: Your introduction should start with a concise statement of the topic that you will be
discussing. Explain critically the significance and relevance of the topic or problem you have
identified and briefly write about how you plan to discuss the issue. In other words, why does this
issue or problem matter?

2. Body and main sections: The body of your paper should contain the main points from your
research. Provide your key findings and analyses in this section – i.e. your group’s proposed
response/recommendation and the ways in which it will help address the issue or problem you
identified in your introduction. Make sure the parts of this section are coherently structured and
that they follow each other logically.
 [Link]: Very briefly summarise the key points of your presentation. If possible, consider
the broader implications of your suggestion.

Your paper should be as specific as possible. Since this is an academic exercise, you must use
credible scholarly articles to back up and substantiate your claims as well as to persuade your
reader. For instance, Wikipedia is not a scholarly source.
When you submit your paper, do not make a cover page.
Make sure that your full names and matriculation numbers are included in your paper. Your
paper should be concise and range between 800 to 1,500 words with the following
specifications: Font 12, approximately 2 pages, double-spaced, 1” at the top and bottom, 1.25”
at the left and right.
Any citation style is acceptable as long as it is consistently used throughout your paper. The
word count excludes references/bibliography and endnotes/or footnotes used. Your tutor will
furnish you with further details regarding the submission procedure (CANVAS)
Note on plagiarism and AI functions, including ChatGPT:
Please do not plagiarise. The usual citation requirements
need to be adhered to. You can refer to the reference style
guide in the NUS library website for further information:
[Link]
[Link]
[Link]
Critical Reflections (20%)

For each tutorial, beginning with the second tutorial session (i.e. Week 5
onwards), you are required to submit your reflection to your tutor before the
start of each session.

[Link] name and DG

[Link] critical appraisal of the mandatory reading (or optional reading) on the
topic covered for that tutorial, particularly those points in the reading which
resonated with you. These could also include issues and arguments you
disagreed with.
[Link] critical reflection should be concise and should be one to two paragraphs
long (approximately 200-300 words).
The first paragraph should consist of a straightforward and concise
restatement of the subject matter and the main thesis or argument of the
reading in your own words;
The second paragraph should engage the reading critically. A critical reading
might include (but is not limited to) any one or more of the following: (a)
appraising the extent to which the author has (or has not) persuasively
substantiated the argument; (b) identifying new directions opened up by the
reading; (c) challenging or supporting the author’s methods; (d) identifying
interesting points raised by the reading; (5) highlighting connections between
the reading and other course readings or themes.
You should note that your responses should be critical engagements with the
given reading and are not about ‘liking’ or ‘not liking’ the reading.
At the end of our course, your tutor should receive 4 submissions from each
participant on the topics on:

Submission 1 (5%): On the reading of Population (due before Tutorial 2);

Submission 2 (5%): On the reading of Economy (due before Tutorial 3);
Submission 3 (5%): On the reading of Security (due before Tutorial 4); and
Submission 4 (5%): On the reading of Diversity (due before Tutorial 5).

You are not required to write a reflection for the topics on ‘Singapore in the World’
(Topic 1) and ‘Aspirations’ (Topic 6). The same directive concerning plagiarism and
the use of ChatGPT applies for your critical reflection submissions.
CHATGPT REMINDER

Note on plagiarism and AI functions, including ChatGPT: Please do not plagiarise. The
usual citation requirements need to be adhered to.

In gist, plagiarism is the act of taking someone else’s writing and passing it off as one’s
own without due acknowledgement. The University takes a strong view against
plagiarism and disciplinary penalties will be meted out if you contravene such academic
codes. Please consult your tutor in advance if you are unsure about this issue.

**If we find your paper/reflections to plagiarise or use ChatGPT, we will take action. Please
therefore do not consider resorting to this**
Group Formation

3-5 students per group

Topics:
Week 5: Population – Group 1
Week 7: Economy – Group 2
Week 9: Security & Threats – Group 3
Week 11: Diversity, Integration & Liveability – Group 4
Let’s get to know your each other!!

Name, Year, Major

Why you took this module (we all know
it’s pass or fail so let’s have some
personality and not repeat this reason :)
Something about Singapore you are
passionate about

Your groupmate will be introducing you to

the class.
Group Discussion

1. What does meritocracy mean to you? What are some challenges to/critiques of meritocracy?
From the reading (hint: Pg 191-200) & video
From your personal experiences

2. Could you think of examples of something at school/work that is awarded based on merit and
seems fair AND unfair (e.g. does it favor certain groups)? (e.g. University admissions, Direct School
Admissions based on non-academic talents, exchange program selection, work promotions).
What kind of Singapore do you envision for the future and
how do you think this can be achieved?
Let’s discuss!

Join by Web
[Link]​/liurongwang568
Reading: Perceptions of Meritocracy in SG
(Teo, 2019)
Meritocracy:
“A social system where individual merit is met with reward, such as economic returns or social
status” (p. 184)
“a national value” (p. 184)
“a hallmark of Singapore’s national identity… [forms] a cornerstone of a national identity of
multiracialism” (p. 184)
 Meritocracy as an ‘Ideology’?

“The state’s advocacy of reward, based on merit derived through hard work and ability, portrays
Singapore as a fair, multicultural society that does not condone ethnic discrimination” (p. 184)
Similar to the notion of the “American Dream” in the US (p. 186)

Hegemony?

“This institutionalisation and distribution of meritocracy as a “public good” is therefore regarded by

various scholars of Singapore as an ideological hegemony, utilised by the one-party state to preserve
its power through national consensus (Chua, 1995; K. P. Tan, 2008).” (Teo, 2019, p. 186)
WRAP-UP

Meritocracy
Not based on inheritance, based on demonstrated competencies
Performance based/competence based meritocracy
But there is no equal opportunity due to differences in resources; Family background could give
access to tuition, barriers due to race
Seems to be not an equal playing field/equal starting points
Let’s discuss!

Join by Web
[Link]​/liurongwang568
Reading: Perceptions of Meritocracy in SG
(Teo, 2019)

However, there is a gap between the idea of meritocracy (on paper) and how it
plays out in reality
Additional factors come into play when determining who succeeds
There are biases such as “ethnic discrimination and cultural stereotypes” (p.
193) &
“gender inequalities perpetuated by negative stereotypes and structural
barriers, which manifest in the political underrepresentation of women in
higher political and leadership roles” (p. 189)
“Routes to upward mobility include hard work, Singapore’s meritocratic education system,
self-motivation and individual resourcefulness in relation to seeking out job opportunities.”
(Teo, 2019, p. 192)

⟶ While most interviewees convey a positive attitude towards the possibility of upward
socioeconomic mobility as a result of Singapore’s meritocratic system, nearly half of them
articulated contradictory or ambivalent views in other parts of the interviews (44 per cent).
When ideas & reality contradicts?

“The value and significance of meritocracy to Singaporeans is apparent through a strong

subscription to individual effort, but an otherwise unconditional belief in meritocracy is
disrupted by perceptions that cultural stereotypes affect how merit is rewarded in schools
and workplaces.” (Teo, 2019, p. 193)

What do we mean when we make certain judgements?

(Is it real or is it normalised discriminations?)
lazy
hardworking
success

Re-examining the existing systems (education; language policies)and narratives...

MAKING THE INVISIBLE VISIBLE.
Shift to Compassionate meritocracy?
Logic: It has not been very fair since some have less opportunities, so the
aim is to give these people more opportunities to perform
EG. Accessible opportunities for career progression in the working world,
giving all students opportunities for a head-start, broadening the concept
of “merit” to not just be academically focused
Avoid the mindset of ‘individualism’

What has been done?

How was it done?
problem, error, contradictions?
How can it be improved?
REMINDERS
First critical reflection (Population) is due before your
next tutorial in Week 5
Submit via Canvas
Group 1 (Population) will be presenting in Week 5
(physical) .
Webinar: There will be an inter-university joint
webinar which will be held in the semester. Attendance
and registration is mandatory and the content covered
will be part of the quiz.
Pre-course survey
[Link]
THANK YOU
For Your Attention