[GEN2060X] Reconnect SeniorsSG

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Last updated: 25 Jun 2024 by Chong Bao Shen Kenneth
6 min read


IMPORTANT

  • Course duration. This is a year-long service-learning course offered in both Semesters 1 and 2 of the Academic Year. GEN2060X is offered in Semester 1 of the Academic Year; it runs till the end of Special Term 2 of that Academic Year, when grades are awarded. GEN2060Y is offered in Semester 2 of the Academic Year; it runs till the end of Semester 1 of the following Academic Year, when grades are awarded.

  • Befriending period. Over the course of twelve calendar months, you will be journeying with your assigned befriendee(s), often elderlies living by themselves. The befriending period for GEN2060X is from September of the enrolling semester to September of the following year; for GEN2060Y, from February of the enrolling semester to February of the following year.

  • Befriending commitment. The summer semester break (May‒July) forms part of a ‘hard’ commitment which you should fulfil. However, the last two months (Month 11 and 12 i.e. August and September for GEN2060X; January and February for GEN2060Y) constitute a ‘soft’ commitment, which you do not have to fulfil if you are unable to, e.g. if you have graduated, are on Leave of Absence (LoA) or have other commitments, such as Student Exchange Programme (SEP). In such cases, please do a smooth exit from your befriending journey.

  • During the ‘hard’ commitment phase, you may be away for up to one month at a time, for overseas travel, whether work, studies, or vacation. Thus, you can still enrol in this course, even if you plan to do short overseas exchanges. However, if you think you may likely be away for more than a month at a time, whether due to semester-long or summer SEP, overseas internship, LoA, etc, you SHOULD NOT enrol in this course. You would not be able to adequately fulfil your responsibility to the befriendee(s).

  • Service work requirement. Singapore Citizen or Singapore Permanent Resident. For more details, refer to ‘Service Work’ tab.

  • Note to graduating students. If you intend to graduate at the end of AY2024/25 and wish to read GEN2060, the latest you can enrol is Semester 1 of that Academic Year, in GEN2060X. Grades are awarded at the end of Special Term 2, which means your degree will be conferred in end-Aug, and you will join the Commencement ceremony in the following year.

Many seniors are lonely or estranged, isolated from critical social networks and support structures. Volunteers provide the vital link to reconnect them with society and restore their well-being. In this course, students will learn key concepts in volunteerism, and essential skills, including communications, conflict management, needs identification and risk assessment, to support vulnerable seniors identified by the Agency for Integrated Care (AIC), checking on them regularly to provide emotional support and early intervention, if needed. Thus, students will develop empathy, sharpen observational and decision-making skills.

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Learn more about the service-learning experience at:

Through this course, students will:

  1. Understand fundamental concepts of volunteerism: motivation & benefits, roles & impact, and ethical & good volunteering

  2. Evaluate and apply general skills related to communications and collaboration, including empathy, active listening, conflict management, and self-awareness; and specific skills related to identifying needs, and providing emotional support

  3. Empathize with vulnerable seniors, develop emotional support skills, sharpen observation & analysis, and enhance decision making

  4. Synthesise reflexive learning to develop character and empathy, fostering personal effectiveness.

Students will be challenged to engage isolated seniors across a spectrum of activities, from the analysis of needs & risks to the provision of emotional support to enhance psychological and social resilience.

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4 Units. As this course spreads over up to a year, it will count 2 Units in the first semester and the other 2 Units in the following semester. Thus, students can always register for these courses on top of their usual planned workload of 20 Units or so, without breaching workload cap per semester. 

Grading. Graded. Students will be assigned an In-Progress (IP) grade in the first semester and will receive their final grade upon the completion of the course.

Delivery and Assessment. There are no final exams. Students are required to watch pre-recorded online lectures, attend three face-to-face tutorials, and carry out service work. They will be assessed through submitting a service portfolio.

Please click here for frequently asked questions.

For further enquiries, please contact the GEN2060 team:

Course Lead

Mr Kenneth Chong (pvocbsk@nus.edu.sg)

Course Tutors

Ms Han Qi  (han.qi@nus.edu.sg) 
Ms Karyne Teo (karyne@nus.edu.sg

 

See you in Reconnect SeniorsSG!