SSA2211 Semester 1 2011-2012 Exam Tips

Knowledge Click to edit Master subtitle style Skills Preparation

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Format
Time Closed Book Exam No Dictionaries or Translators allowed Section 1
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2 out of 4 short 25 marks essays 1.5- 2 pages

Section 2

compulsory question 1 long 50 marks essay

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23/11/2011 5-7pm (2 Hours)

Past Year Papers

http://libportal.nus.edu.sg/frontend/index

New Format introduced only for 2 semesters: Types of questions found in semesters before 2010: Useful to see what kind of questions we like to ask
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Good example of what to expect format-wise

Last Semesters Paper

Section 1: 2 out of 4
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What are the textual sources for 14th century Temasek? In what way have some of these textual records presented difficulties for historians and is there any solution to these difficulties? [25 marks] Explain how Singapore during the 15th-18th centuries was strategic to (a) the

Johor kingdom and (b) the Portuguese and the Dutch. [25 marks]

What is a staple port? What factors led to the development of Singapore

from an entrepot port to a staple port during the 19th century? [25 marks]

In the period after World War II, how did external factors influence Singapores path from being a colony to gaining

2 Semesters Ago
Section 1: 2 out of 4
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Define what strategic means and how to decide what factors are strategic. Support your answer with at least two examples from different periods in Singapores history Who, when and for what reasons, decided to designate Raffles as founder of Singapore? What are the problems of looking at history only in terms of the great heroes of the past? Use examples from Singapores history to support your answer Explain how Singapore was important to the defence of both the British Empire in the first half of the 20th century and Southeast Asia during the Cold War

Section 2: Compulsory 5) In what way have global factors been important to

Myths about SSA2211 Exams

Just express your opinion: Just study wikipedia version (nothing before Raffles) Easy to grade: F-D+ Just write everything on the subject. No need to think (!) Easy to grade: Probably F-D+ Say what they want to hear: 1299, globalisation good. 1819, Raffles bad Always agree to a certain extent
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No need facts

Two Types of Questions

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Observation/Factual/Evidence-based: Do you know the material? Definitions, concepts, facts Clearer right and wrong answers Analytical: Do you know the issues? What academics argue about and why Which side do you support? Not very clear which side is better
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Observation/Factual/ Evidence-based

What are the textual sources for 14th century Temasek? In what way have some of these textual records presented difficulties for historians and is there any solution to these difficulties? Who, when and for what reasons, decided to designate Raffles as founder of Singapore? What evidence suggests that Singapore was still a strategic place during the 14th-15th centuries?

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Analytical Questions

Controversy at the heart of the question Which are the key turning points? Is Singapore a global-city or a nation-state?
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When should Singapores history start?

Often Elements of Both

Define what strategic means and how to decide what factors are strategic. Support your answer with at least two examples from different periods in Singapores history In what way have global factors been important to the development of Singapore over the last 700 years? Should the date 1819 be considered a turning point in (a) the history of Singapore as a nationstate, (b) the history of Singapore as a global city or (c) both? Explain your answer.

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Be Sensible

Find different points to support your argument

- DO NOT try to pass off one point as many by wording them differently

Plan your answer: Link every point back to the main question. If you cannot, it is irrelevant and should be dropped Impress with clarity and kung fu, not flowery language and big words Not length but argument and evidence

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Answer the question that comes out, not the question you studied for

From Past Experience

Plug and play components with slight modifications and adapters!

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You will find approaches, themes and tables of facts that apply to a very wide variety of possible questions

From the Teaching Team:

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We enjoyed teaching you very much! All the best for your exams!