Humanities Department

Humanities Department

Curriculum

Vision
Thinkers and leaders who are equipped with future-ready skills to contribute knowledge and advocate for greater good and sustainable development of their community and the world.

Mission
To foster a passion for lifelong learning through a learner-centred and authentic learning environment that will develop Yusoffians as inquirers and critical thinkers.

Connect, Practice, Change
As part of our continual drive towards curriculum innovation, our team of Humanities educators actively design learner-centred lessons that encourage metacognition as they develop the different disciplinary skills. This is realised through a robust curriculum anchored on Inquiry Based Learning. Our lessons also encourage active participation, exploration, discovery and collaboration among learners. We also draw on real world knowledge of local and global context to make learning authentic to prepare them for life-long learning. The programme also helps to develop students’ critical thinking skills and a sense of civic mindedness where they discover their interests and strengths to pursue and advocate on issues that they are passionate about to advocate for collective well-being and sustainable development of their community and the world.

Learning Outcomes

Social Studies
The Social Studies curriculum in Yusof Ishak Secondary School aims to equip students with the global competencies as follows:

• Examine and understand issues of local, global and cultural significance to cultivate open-mindedness;

• Understand and appreciate the perspectives and worldviews of others for the appreciation of multiple perspectives;

• Engage in open, appropriate and effective interactions across cultures and perspectives;

• Take action for collective well-being and sustainable development to tackle complex problems of today and tomorrow.

History
The History curriculum in Yusof Ishak Secondary School aims to equip students with:

• knowledge, skills and values through the inquiry process which will enable them to better understand, appreciate and learn from the richness of the human experience of the past;

• rich learning from the past through varied socio-cultural perspectives over time and space and be inspired for the future;

• a deep sense of identity and a belief that they can make a difference in their nation;

• empathy for people, cultures and issues and appreciate that different societies hold different beliefs, values and attitudes at different points of time;

• critical thinking skills to understand and appreciate different perspectives, the role of leadership, its responsibilities and its representation.

Geography
The Geography curriculum in Yusof Ishak Secondary School aims to enable students to:

• acquire knowledge and skills to describe, explain and analyse geographical phenomena and processes that occur in Singapore and beyond;

• examine selected geographical phenomena and processes by analysing data,

• be aware of different value orientations towards the environment, which influence people’s actions;

• be imbibed with a sense of responsibility towards the environment; and

• be provided with opportunities to discuss solutions, and take actions to achieve a more sustainable world.

Key Programmes

Conquering New Horizons: NUS Geography Challenge

In 2024, four students represented the school in the NUS Geography Challenge, an annual competition organized by the NUS Department of Geography and the Geographical Society. Themed "Urban Odyssey: Rediscovering our Landscapes and Places", the competition was about encouraging participants to explore local landscapes and critically assess the relationship between culture and nature within urban environments. The NUS Geography Challenge provided students with an invaluable opportunity to engage in geographical discussions and shape their understanding of urban futures.

Unraveling History: Historical Scene Investigation Challenge 

As part of our efforts to encourage students who have shown great interest in History, Yusof Ishak Secondary has sent two teams every year to take part in the Historical Scene Investigation Challenge, a contest organised by the National Library Board. The competition provides a historical topic to engage the participants in research, report writing and video production.This allows students to exercise their creativity, be independent learners and to learn with inquisitiveness. 

Using online and offline platforms, teachers work closely with the students during the competition period to support the students in producing the final products to the best of their abilities. 

MOE History Challenge

The MOE History Challenge engages in the core disciplinary aspects of History where they can demonstrate their knowledge of the subject and apply conceptual understanding across different historical periods. 

Four Yusoffians took part in the competition in 2024. We are proud that two of them were offered a place in the MOE History Talent Development Programme. Well Done!