GESS 2025 SS Issue 1 Summary Notes

GAN ENG SENG SCHOOL Humanities Department – Social Studies “To nurture knowledgeable and committed citizens with a global outlook and skills for the future” Name: ____________________ ( ) Class: _______ Date: _______ Social Studies Issue 1 Summary Notes Note: These summary notes contain samples of how you can provide Examples and Explanations for Structured Response Question 7. These notes are meant to supplement studying of the Social Studies Coursebook.

Issue 1: Exploring Citizenship and Governance Guiding Questions Core Content 1. What does citizenship mean to me? • Attributes shaping understanding of citizenship o Legal status o A sense of identity o Shared values o Civic participation 2. What are the functions and roles of Government in working for the good of society? • Functions of government o Legislature, Executive, Judiciary • Roles of government o Maintain law and order o Ensure economic and social well-being of citizens o Promote and protect country’s national interests 3. How do we decide what is good for society? • Challenges in deciding what is good for society o Differing needs and interests o Differing priorities o Unequal sharing of costs • Managing trade-offs • Principles shaping governance o Having good leadership o Anticipating change and staying relevant o A stake for everyone, opportunities for all o Practising meritocracy 4. How can we work together for the good of society • Addressing the needs of society • Influencing decision-making in public affairs • Strengthening citizens’ sense of belonging

3 Summary Notes for Chapter 1: What are the Attributes Shaping Citizenship? POINT Citizenship by Legal Status Citizenship by Sense of National Identity Citizenship by Shared Values Citizenship by Civic Participation EXAMPLE • Citizenship can be shaped by legal status. This includes the rights and obligations of citizenship. Rights of citizens: • For example, citizens enjoy the rights to freedom of speech and religion. This means we are protected by law to say what we want and practise the religion we choose. Obligations of citizens: • For example, we have the duty to practise responsible free speech and maintain social harmony between different races or religions. • National Service (NS) is mandatory for men when they reach the age of 18. • Citizenship can be shaped by having a sense of national identity. • This is a shared belief of connectedness that we belong to the same country, created through common experiences, practices and spaces. Examples of common experiences, practices and spaces: • For example, Singaporeans have common experiences like serving NS or celebrating National Day together. • We speak a common language like English in work and education, and Singlish in everyday life.