Singapore · MOE Syllabus Outcomes
JC 2 Knowledge and Inquiry.
Knowledge and Inquiry (H2) develops students' critical thinking by exploring the nature, construction, and evaluation of knowledge across various disciplines. In JC2, students deepen their epistemological understanding, compare different fields of knowledge, and apply these insights to their Independent Study.
01The Nature of Scientific and Mathematical Knowledge
An exploration of how knowledge is constructed, justified, and evaluated in mathematics and the natural sciences.
Students examine the foundational role of axioms and deductive reasoning in mathematics. They evaluate whether mathematical knowledge is discovered or invented.
This topic investigates the role of observation, hypothesis testing, and falsification in the natural sciences. Students analyze the problem of induction and paradigm shifts.
Students critically assess the claim that natural sciences are purely objective and value-free. They explore how societal values influence scientific research.
02Knowledge in the Human Sciences and History
A critical examination of the methodologies, challenges, and nature of truth in the social sciences and historical inquiry.
Students explore the complexities of studying human behavior, focusing on the tension between quantitative data and qualitative interpretation.
This topic delves into how historians construct narratives from primary and secondary sources. Students evaluate the role of bias, perspective, and hindsight in history.
Students analyze the concepts of causation, agency, and determinism within historical and social contexts. They debate the extent to which human actions are shaped by structural forces.
03Ethics, Aesthetics, and the Construction of Value
An investigation into normative knowledge, exploring how ethical and aesthetic judgments are formed, justified, and debated.
Students examine major ethical frameworks and the epistemological status of moral claims. They debate whether moral truths are absolute, relative, or constructed.
This topic explores the criteria used to evaluate art and beauty. Students consider whether aesthetic judgments can be universally valid or are inherently subjective.
Students analyze how ethical considerations impact practices in science, history, and the arts. They evaluate the moral responsibilities of knowledge producers.
04Cross-Disciplinary Synthesis and Independent Study
A culminating unit where students synthesize epistemological concepts across disciplines and apply them to their Independent Study (IS) research.
Students compare and contrast how different fields of knowledge define truth, gather evidence, and justify claims. They map the boundaries and overlaps between disciplines.
Students apply their epistemological understanding to design a rigorous Independent Study. They refine their research questions and select appropriate methodologies.
In preparation for their final IS paper and exams, students practice constructing robust arguments, anticipating counter-arguments, and defending their epistemological positions.