Anglo-Chinese School (Independent)

[autolycus]

centralpark:

Why do you recommend History instead of Geography? Is it because Geo has a data analysis section that is more science based?

History has a larger scope in human terms; human geography is almost a subset of history. However, the physical geography — climatology, meteorology, geomorphology etc — is indeed more science-based. Doing geog/bio/chem is almost too easy, in that sense. Generally, historians learn more about human activity than geographers do, and their skills have broader application. Put another way, historians learn more geography than geographers learn history.

centralpark:

What is IHS?

'Introduction to Human Societies' is a unique ACS(I) IP subject. It is designed to be a 'gateway' to the humanities, combining components of human geography, history, economics and sociology. It's the main reason why ACS(I) IP students can in theory go on to do any humanities subject in Years 5-6. (It was also one of my personal projects. )

centralpark:

Is double humanities (Hist and Geo) available in years 3 and 4?

In theory, yes. After all, ACS(I) IP students don't have to do social studies (that's incorporated into IHS. So they could possibly do only Chem, or only Core Math, and take extra humanities subjects. However, it's a rare combination and I'm not sure they'll allow it unless there is sufficient student demand. There have been such classes in the past.

[Curious mum]

breezy:

Curious mum:

Hi, would like to confirm if there is school on Tues (27/8/13)...thanks

Hi curious mum,

Next Tuesday is declared as a school holiday in recognition of the overall good performance for various CCAs.

Thank you breezy

[centralpark]

Hi autolycus,


Thank you for sharing your wealth of information generously.

I think the best option at present is History and Biology.

DS is more interested in Human Geography than Physical Geography. He has always enjoyed long museum visits. A trivia buff. He is too careless in dealing with numbers in Physics. Biology has less room for careless mistakes. I think what suits him at university will be PPE. Are there overseas universities that offer a good PPE? Other than Oxbridge?

TIA

[autolycus]

centralpark:

DS is more interested in Human Geography than Physical Geography. He has always enjoyed long museum visits. A trivia buff. He is too careless in dealing with numbers in Physics. Biology has less room for careless mistakes. I think what suits him at university will be PPE. Are there overseas universities that offer a good PPE? Other than Oxbridge?

Wow... PPE will kill him if he's not able to construct and sustain long and careful written arguments. He doesn't sound like he's quite PPE-ready type yet, so he'll need to prepare to use those trivia-buff skills to retain a lot of reading material, and to structure it for appropriate use.

PPE is really an Oxford thing; you won't find it at Cambridge, and it's not commonly found elsewhere as a degree course. But an education in one of the small and exclusive liberal-arts colleges in the northeastern USA might suit him well. Dartmouth (NH), Swarthmore (PA) etc — and then off to Harvard for postgrad studies!

[DadOfGirl]

autolycus:

centralpark:

DS is more interested in Human Geography than Physical Geography. He has always enjoyed long museum visits. A trivia buff. He is too careless in dealing with numbers in Physics. Biology has less room for careless mistakes. I think what suits him at university will be PPE. Are there overseas universities that offer a good PPE? Other than Oxbridge?

Wow... PPE will kill him if he's not able to construct and sustain long and careful written arguments. He doesn't sound like he's quite PPE-ready type yet, so he'll need to prepare to use those trivia-buff skills to retain a lot of reading material, and to structure it for appropriate use.

PPE is really an Oxford thing; you won't find it at Cambridge, and it's not commonly found elsewhere as a degree course. But an education in one of the small and exclusive liberal-arts colleges in the northeastern USA might suit him well. Dartmouth (NH), Swarthmore (PA) etc — and then off to Harvard for postgrad studies!

What is is PPE degree?

[centralpark]

Hi DadOfGirl,


PPE is politics, philosophy and economics. A very flexible combination. Well balanced education.

[centralpark]

Hi autolycus,


Thank you for your early warning!

The numerous projects in term 3 have been very useful in honing the skills in presenting ideas. Hopefully by end of year 6, DS can construct and sustain long and careful written arguments.

I will be elated if DS can get a place in one of the top liberal arts colleges. He has to work hard for it. I don’t dare to dream of postgrad studies in Harvard. The kickass cupcakes sold outside the campus are certainly out of this world though. DS does not adhere to rigid rules and formulae. He survives better in the working world. I think schooling for him is just to instill self discipline and learn critical thinking.

Thank you once again, autolycus! Have a nice day.

[DadOfGirl]

centralpark:

Hi DadOfGirl,


PPE is politics, philosophy and economics. A very flexible combination. Well balanced education.

Thank you Centralpark. Will Yale-NUS graduate program offer it in some form?
We are looking for suitable degree in Arts for my DD.. appearing for O-level this year with Humanities based subject combo...

[centralpark]

Hi DadOfGirl,


Yale-NUS does offer PPE. The website shows the different majors available.

[DadOfGirl]

centralpark:

Hi DadOfGirl,


Yale-NUS does offer PPE. The website shows the different majors available.

Thank you CentralPark.