Humanities Department

Discover how the Humanities Department builds critical thinkers with global awareness through Geography, History, and Social Studies.

Last updated on 13 August 2026

Humanities Department

Vision

To be a department of excellence, which promotes analytical thinking and innovation.

Mission

To provide a holistic education in analytical and innovative reasoning so as to develop scholars with global awareness.

Curriculum

By the end of their Crescentian journey, our Humanities scholar will be able to:

evaluate data / information critically and independently;
apply appropriate research methodologies to investigate geographical, historical and social phenomena;
appreciate complex inter-relationship between man and the physical, historical, social and political environment around him;
demonstrate an understanding of local and global issues and propose appropriate solutions.

Core to the Humanities disciplines is the engagement of students in DOING Geography, History and the Social Studies. In doing, students are required to take active ownership of their learning, learning to ask key questions, investigate issues through reading and research and working with peers to seek knowledge. All these are effectively done under the facilitation of the teachers.

Geographical Investigation

Geographical Investigation is a form of geographical inquiry where students are required to investigate a geographical issue and demonstrate their learning by completing an end product. In Crescent, our students carry out their GI at the various levels, making sense of the environment in which they live in.

At Secondary One, students undergo GI and explore the issue of water scarcity in Singapore and the world around them under the schools’ signature Integrated Curriculum Programme. At Secondary Two, students investigate their lived environment in Tiong Bahru through the use of VR. Upper Secondary students continue to acquire skills in GI through their investigation of the coastal regions as well as tourists spots. Sec 1 GI – Water Testing Sec 2 GI –VR at Tiong Bahru Sec 3 GI – Coastal Studies Sec 4 GI - Tourism

Two masked students in uniforms lean over a yellow desk, closely examining a small clear jar of liquid.

Sec 1 GI – Water Testing

Matterport virtual tour of Tiong Bahru Heritage Trail showing a roadside shrine and a heritage signage board.

Sec 2 GI –VR at Tiong Bahru

Students in yellow shirts and blue skirts gather on a sandy beach near the ocean with palm trees behind them.

Sec 3 GI – Coastal Studies

Several people wearing face masks walk and stand near red pillars outside a building.

Sec 4 GI - Tourism

Historical Investigation

As aspiring historians in the making, Crescentians start their historical investigation journey through a series of mini-investigations of the past during their lessons. At Secondary Two, as part of their Integrated Curriculum Project, students conduct an investigation into 1950s Singapore to find out about the needs of the people and the young aspiring political parties. Together with their peers, they design political posters to campaign for votes to win the hearts of the people in Singapore in the 1950s. At the Upper Secondary, students continue their historical investigations into key historical events by taking on perspectives, such as that of historical characters or artefacts. This has enabled them to learn to empathise with people from the past.

Four schoolgirls in yellow uniforms look at a large black and white photo on a dark museum wall.

Sec1 Inquiry in the National Museum of Singapore

Three schoolgirls in uniforms sit around a blue desk, discussing printed worksheets together in a classroom.

Historical Investigation in class

Political poster for Singapore People's Alliance SPA with gears, handshake, and text urging voters to support equality.

Secondary 2 Hi End Product

Student in yellow uniform presents a slideshow titled "Whose fault? A review of the Case: The PLAYERS in the Crisis" to masked classmates.

Perspective Taking after HI

Issues Investigation

Issue Investigation provides Crescentians with the opportunity to examine societal issues critically. Through Issue Investigation, Crescentians practise and strengthen a wide range of lifelong skills and responding constructively to a societal issue as informed, concerned and participative citizens. Implemented in 2018, the Crescent Model Cabinet focuses on contemporary social issues in Singapore. Secondary Three students conduct research into 1 of the 4 issues: addressing the needs of an ageing population, enhancing transport policies, integrating immigrants and ensuring access to healthcare. Students will take on the roles of various stakeholders to discuss these issues and propose solutions to the problems identified in a simulated cabinet setting. Roles assigned can include the Prime Minister, Cabinet Ministers, Members of Parliament, Statutory Boards and NGOs to provide a range of perspectives.

Secondary Three Students debating on national issues

Special Programmes

Model United Nations Conference

Apart from debating about local issues, Crescentians are also provided with training and opportunities to participate in Model United Nation Conferences, a simulation of the diplomatic process carried out by the United Nations to address global issues. In a MUN, students are tasked to represent different countries and work towards formulating solutions for the betterment of society. Through their participation in these conferences, students will

Understanding the relevance of the Humanities to the real world around them
Develop critical-logical thinking skills for the Humanities
Develop civic literacy and global awareness skills

The Hague International Model United Nations

Dunman High ASEAN Plus

ST Joseph’s Institution Model United Nations

Victoria Junior College Model Cabinet

Talks

To broaden the minds of our Humanities scholars, students engage in conversations with external speakers and are challenged to ask questions to deepen their knowledge of the world.

Dr Jolene Jerard, Adjunct Senior Fellow Rajaratnam School of International Studies

European Union Comes to School Conversation with the Belgium Ambassador

Achievements

2021

Hwa Chong Model ASEAN Cabinet (HCMAS) 2021
1 Honourable Mention

Singapore Model Cabinet (SMC) 2021
1 1st place
1 2nd place
2 3rd place

Raffles Model United Nations (RMUN) 2021
1 Honourable Mention

National Youth Upcycling Movement (NYUM) Advocacy Challenge 2021
2 Silvers

2022

Hwa Chong Model ASEAN Cabinet
1 Honourable Mention
1 Verbal Commendation

Singapore Chinese Girls' School Model United Nations
1 Most Improved Delegate

Dunman High ASEAN Plus
1 Honourable Mention
1 Best Position Paper

YMAX
1 Best Delegate
1 Honourable Mention
1 Verbal Commendation

History Talent Development Programme (HTDP) 2023/2024
1 Awardee

2023

Dunman High ASEAN Plus Summit
1 Honourable Mention
1 Double Delegation Verbal Commendation

Raffles Model United Nations Conference
1 Best Position Paper
1 Best Double Delegation Position Paper
1 Double Delegation Honourable Mention

Singapore Model Cabinet
2 Outstanding Double Delegation
1 Double Delegation Honourable Mention

Youth Model ASEAN Experience Conference (YMAX)
1 Best Position Paper
1 Verbal Commendation

Historical Scene Investigation
1 Gold
1 Silver

History Talent Development Programme (HTDP) 2023/2024
1 Awardee

Farmathon 2023
1 Bronze

National Youth Upcycling Movement
1 Silver
1 Bronze