FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1.

What is the purpose of reading the Minor in Cultural Studies?

The purpose of reading the minor in Cultural Studies, as with any minor, is to provide a coherence and focus for the elective, non-major courses one is required to take at NUS. Further, a minor helps develop and foster areas of interest outside a major that might or might not directly complement the major. In this way, a minor simultaneously provides focus and breadth to one's undergraduate experience.

2.

What are the career prospects after I take this minor?

Because Cultural Studies is engaged with a critical analysis of the many forms of contemporary culture, a minor in Cultural Studies can be of use to any job that one wishes to pursue. The ability to read, think, write, and engage critically with all aspects of daily culture is a formidable skill to take into the job market, including a critical understanding of the market itself.

3.

What would this enable me or prepare me for?

The minor can help prepare you for an ever-complex technologically-driven and mediated culture, to understand the complexities operative within it, and to engage critically with it.

4.

When should I read the compulsory module: XD3101 Theory and Practice in Cultural Studies for the Minor in Cultural Studies?

Ideally, one would take the XD course at the end of one's minor, as the course is designed to provide a deeper theoretical grounding in Cultural Studies as well as a more sustained analysis of cultural phenomena. But due to scheduling logistics, this might not be possible. Therefore, any time the student can and wishes to access the required module, it would be a good idea to do so. Although designed as a "capstone" or summation of the minor, the material covered in the XD course will serve students well in courses they might take after it that would count toward the minor. Similarly, a student would not be penalized in the least for taking the XD course prior to completing the other requirements of the minor.

5.

How should I go about reading the modules under the Minor in Cultural Studies, especially with its different categories?

The minor in Cultural Studies is organized around areas of inquiry, and these provide a guideline for study. The most obvious answer to the question of deciding which courses to take is individual interest. Students should understand, though, that exposure to areas that one does not necessarily know or think will be of interest can turn out to be very challenging and pleasantly surprising, thus opening up new areas of interest.