Humanities In-Person Talks
Join us in person for programme talks, masterclasses, and student sharing sessions.
Meet our professors and hear firsthand from students about their experiences—from classes to university life.
Get a feel for our vibrant science community and explore what makes studying here unique and exciting!
Talk Venues
Stephen Riady Centre
Town Plaza
THEMATIC TALKS (BY DEPARTMENTS)
SPECIAL SESSIONS
CHINESE LANGUAGE & CHINESE STUDIES @ NUS FACULTY OF ARTS AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
Philosophy, Politics, and Economics Cross-Disciplinary Programme
Technology, Labour, and Inequality
Research by several economists have found that the share of employment in occupations in the middle of the skill distribution has declined rapidly in the U.S. and Europe. At the same time, the share of employment in the upper and lower ends of the occupational skill distribution has increased substantially. This phenomenon has been termed “job polarisation”. In this sharing, I will discuss the challenges posed by job polarisation, focusing on both mature and developing economies. Specifically, I will show how to properly understand the nature and challenges posed by job polarization, we need to integrate insights from Philosophy, Politics, and Economics. I then examine how job polarisation presents potential opportunities for state and private actors to strengthen investments in education, skills upgrading, and training.
SPEAKER
Chinese Language & Chinese Studies
从历史上人口流动和文化交流思考汉语方言的诸方面 (Rethinking Chinese Dialects Through Movement of People and Cultures in History)
本次讲座将聚焦以下诸方面的课题：新加坡语言环境的变迁、汉语标准语如何出现、早期华人移民的语言、汉语与周边语言的词汇借用以及现代方言与古代汉语的关系等等。从这些例子中我们可以看到历史上的人口流动和文化交流跟汉语方言的形成与演变之间有着千丝万缕的联系：一方面，诸多历史因素共同塑造了汉语方言的多样性和复杂性；另一方面，汉语共同语与方言的变迁也不断重塑着不同国家地区说汉语群体的认同与归属。
Note: This talk will be conducted in Mandarin.
Communications & New Media and Malay Studies
Go Out and Touch Grass: Learning from the Past to Understand the Digital Present
This talk discusses the rise of tech industry leaders like Elon Musk through the lens of indigenous history, digital culture and the environment, showing how multi-disciplinary approaches can enhance the understanding of a particular issue and promote innovative approaches to address them. The speakers will also address ways that students can take classes in Communications and New Media as well as Malay Studies as majors, minors or electives so that they can build holistic and inclusive approaches to analysing the world around them.
SPEAKERS
SPECIAL SESSION
FASS Alumni Panel Discussion
Featured alumni – Hamizah Myra, Senior Executive, Strategic Planning and Policy Department, Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (Global Studies major and Sociology minor, '24); Didi Amzar, Assistant Director, Ministry of Trade and Industry (Political Science and Literature double major, Film Studies minor, '24); Joyce Lim, Head of Performance & Culture, Grab (Philosophy major, '04); and, Ivan Tan, Group Senior Vice President, Corporate & Marketing Communications, Changi Airport Group (English Language and Linguistics major, '90) – discuss their careers so far, reflect on their most valuable experiences at FASS and NUS, and share how they would approach university life and education if they had to go through it all over again.
FASS Student Panel
On Academics and Student Life I
FASS-CHS undergraduates discuss their experience with interdisciplinary learning and how they maximise their appeal to their careers and industry of choice, as well as their experience so far inside and outside of their classrooms, and what skills as well as connections they have acquired since the day they entered university.
SPEAKERS
Anthropology and History
Money and Mobility
Join us for a thought-provoking conversation at the intersection of History and Anthropology, where cutting-edge research is transforming how we understand global flows of capital and people. With artificial intelligence revolutionizing data analysis and transnational methods reshaping inquiry, scholars are uncovering startling new insights that challenge conventional wisdom. How does academic research push the boundaries of what we think we know, offering fresh perspectives on the world?
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SPEAKERS
English Literature and Japanese Studies
Cross-current Drifts — An Interdisciplinary Discussion between Japanese Studies and English Literature
A talk questioning how the lines of thought and expression in English Literature and Japanese Studies cross, converge and excite action to drive history and developments in today's world.
SPEAKERS
FASS Symposium in Celebration of International Women's Day
Accelerating Action: Transforming Knowledge into Impact
Accelerating Action: Transforming Knowledge into Impact explores the role of Asian Studies, the Humanities and Social Sciences in unpacking systemic barriers, amplifying marginalised voices, and creating a more equitable society. With the theme of International Women’s Day 2025 in mind, our dialogue will delve into how university education can challenge and reshape entrenched gender norms, foster critical thinking that empowers future leaders, and equip students with the tools for social change. Speakers will share their insights on integrating gender perspectives into curricula, conducting research that addresses pressing gender issues, and developing community-based projects that create real-world impact. Join us as we explore how teaching, research, and community engagement can help create a more equitable and inclusive future.
SPEAKERS
English Language & Linguistics and Philosophy
What Do People Do All Day In the Philosophy Department and the English Department?
In this talk, a representative from the Philosophy Department and the linguistics section the Department of English, Linguistics and Theatre will each explain: the basics. You’ve taken English. But at the university level it’s different. How so? Probably you haven’t taken Philosophy. What’s that about? It’s sounds like: everything. But that’s a bit much. But, in a sense, the University as a whole is an overgrown Philosophy Department. By introducing ourselves and our departments we hope to introduce the University, think some thoughts about how the bits of it go together, and provide some insights for navigating this new environment.
SPEAKERS
Geography and Global Studies
What’s the Difference Between Global Studies and Geography?
In this talk, a global studies and a geography student will discuss the difference between the two majors and the unique approaches, skill sets, and job opportunities each major provides.
SPEAKERS
Angie Liew, Global Studies Major
Centre for Language Studies
Multilingualism and Intercultural Competence as your 21st Century Assets
As cultures increasingly interact and integrate with one another, multilingualism and intercultural competence have become highly coveted assets that give you an edge in our competitive society and the job market. These language-educator panellists will provide insights into the importance and value of mastering – starting from your Freshman year – one of the 10 Asian and 3 European languages taught at the CLS, the promises and pitfalls the best strategies for ensuring that the requirements of a Minor in Language Studies will be met.
SPEAKERS
Economics and South Asian Studies
(South) Asian Century: Intersections Between Economics and South Asian Studies
How might experiences rooted in South Asia help us understand development and growth in the context of the Asian century? What, indeed, is the importance of South Asia from an economic standpoint, and beyond? This talk will examine the intersections present between Economics and South Asian Studies at NUS. We will discuss the implications of India’s rise to global prominence as an economic powerhouse and use South Asia as a laboratory to test economic theories and evaluate widely adopted economic policies. Relatedly, we will outline what students can expect in terms of course offerings from the two disciplinary specialisations.
SPEAKERS
Political Science and Theatre & Performance Studies
Political Science in NUS and Singapore | Performing on Stage and in Society
Political Science
Political Science has been an integral part of the FASS since the early 1960s and as Singapore developed as an independent state, its importance has continued to rise. It answers many questions of who has what, when and how, and how to address key issues, many of them divisive in society.
Theatre and Performance Studies
This talk explains how concepts from theatre and performance studies, initially used to describe what happens on stage, can be applied to better understand behavior in society.
SPEAKERS
Social Work and Sociology
Education and Youth Mental Health
How do education systems shape the mental well-being of young people? What role do social structures, policies, and community support play in addressing youth mental health challenges? In this session, faculty members from Sociology and Social Work will explore these pressing questions, offering insights into how their disciplines help us understand and respond to issues affecting young people today.
Prospective students will also have the opportunity to ask questions, not just about the topic but also about studying Sociology and Social Work at NUS—including the kinds of perspectives, skills, and career pathways these majors offer. Whether you’re passionate about social change, mental health advocacy, or understanding the forces shaping young people’s lives, this session will give you a glimpse into what these disciplines have to offer.
SPEAKERS
FASS Student Panel
On Academics and Student Life II
FASS-CHS undergraduates discuss their experience with interdisciplinary learning and how they maximise their appeal to their careers and industry of choice, as well as their experience so far inside and outside of their classrooms, and what skills as well as connections they have acquired since the day they entered university.
SPEAKERS
Psychology and Southeast Asian Studies
Mysteries of Psychology |
Why Southeast Asia Matters
Psychology
What are psychologists trying to understand about the world? What questions remain unanswered?
Southeast Asian Studies
Southeast Asia sits at the crossroads of the world, the commercial and cultural axle of Asia. Embedded in Southeast Asia, Singapore cannot escape geography - it is defined by and helps define its neighbours. Why is it worth studying this region, and what are the professional advantages and career prospects that our majors/minors enjoy?
SPEAKERS
CHINESE LANGUAGE & CHINESE STUDIES @ NUS FACULTY OF ARTS AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
Venue of all talks listed below: Lecture Theatre 10 (LT10), NUS Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
Transport Directions (from Utown to FASS LT10)
1) Board the ‘Hop-On Hop-Off Tour’ bus from Town Plaza*
2) Alight at NUS IT and make your way to the Central Library (opposite NUS IT bus stop)
3) Follow the map below to make your way to FASS LT10 (through the Central Library)
* The Hop-On Hop-Off Tour bus runs from 10.30am to 5pm (every 10 minutes); Take note to disembark upon reaching NUS IT (opposite Central Library)
1 - 1:45 pm
国大中文系介 绍⸺课程结 构，奖学金及 学习经验分享 (Introduction to the Department of Chinese Language and Literature at NUS – course structure, scholarships and learning experience sharing)
2 - 2:45 pm
翻译策略与其应用:以希尼尔的短篇作品为例 (Translation Strategies and Their Application: Referencing Shinier's Short Works)
3 - 3:45 pm
新华文学的 地方书写 (Local Writing of Xinhua Literature)