Programme Information

Programme Aims

The objectives of the Bachelor of Social Sciences (Honours) in Global and Hong Kong Studies programme are:

1. to develop multidisciplinary perspectives for students to comprehend the transformations and development of Hong Kong and the world;
2. to train students to have a thorough understanding of Global Studies, Hong Kong Studies and the interface between Global and Hong Kong Studies;
3. to nurture students to become responsible and participatory citizens in multiple communities; and
4. to achieve complementarity, synergy and cross-fertilization with the education-focused programmes.

Programme Features

Students enrolled in the programme will be required to take major courses come from the three academic pillars: (1) Global Studies; (2) Hong Kong Studies; (3) the interface between Hong Kong and the World. Global Studies emphasize the disciplinary training in political science; Hong Kong Studies cover the courses in cultural studies, political science and sociology; and the Hong Kong/Global interface encourages students to adopt multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary perspectives to understand Hong Kong and its complex interactions with China, the regional and the global spheres.

On successful completion of the programme, students will be able to demonstrate:

• PILO1 explore knowledge and training in the studies of Hong Kong and the world from multidisciplinary perspectives;
• PILO2 develop understanding and critical thinking of the dynamics transformations of the world and Hong Kong;
• PILO3 examine Hong Kong as an interface between the East and West; and
• PILO4 appreciate universal values, such as diversity, rationality, rule of law and human rights.

Programme Structure (for Senior Year Entrants)

Major Studies

In order to enhance the depth and breadth of students’ knowledge in Hong Kong and global studies, the major courses are grouped together into four main clusters. They are: (1) political/legal cluster, (2) social/cultural cluster, (3) economic/sustainability cluster, and (4) educational cluster. Students who are admitted to Year 3 of the programme will have to take 11 major courses, including the four core courses: namely “Approaching Global Hong Kong Studies”, “Foundations of Hong Kong Studies”, “Positioning the Unique Identity of Hong Kong in Global History”, and “Globalization: Concepts and Debates”. Students enrolled in the programme will have a solid training and knowledge in the three pillars of Global and Hong Kong Studies.

List of Major Courses (All required)

Electives / Minor

Outside the Major, students are free to choose elective courses offered by any of the University’s departments. They have the option of taking a Minor of 15 cps of taught courses in the Elective domain for graduation with a Minor, subject to specific requirements of the Minor(s).

General Education

Students can choose from a wide selection of General Education (GE) courses to enhance their whole person development.

GE Experiential Learning Course

Students may choose a GE Experiential Learning course which encourages students to learn through experimentation, observation, reflection and (re-) conceptualization while undertaking a wide variety of activities, such as creative work, field studies, projects, thematic overseas trips, outward-bound training etc. These courses enrich students’ learning experiences and skills through learning, thinking and reflecting on practice, in practice and for practice, while exposing them to authentic and real-life contexts.

University ePortfolio

Students will take a 3-cp course at Consolidation Level to complete their University ePortfolios normally before the final year. Based on their on-going evidence-based reflections on learning during the study, students are required to complete the construction of their University ePortfolios that are made up of the artifacts and evidence derived from a wide variety of learning. It provides an intellectual platform for students to synthesize their learning experiences garnered from the academic journey at the EdUHK by critically reflecting on the values and significance of what they have learned, making connections to their lives, and charting or imagining their own future.

Medium of Instruction

The programme will mainly be conducted in English. Most of the Major courses will be taught in English. For some non-Major courses, Cantonese or Putonghua may be adopted as the medium of instruction when the language is considered to be the most effective for teaching.

Career Prospects/Professional Qualifications

Graduates from this programme will be highly competitive. They will be able to apply for jobs in the Hong Kong Government, non-governmental organizations, public corporations and utilities, statutory bodies, the mass media and also other private-sector companies. Students will be equipped with the necessary knowledge, skills and expertise to pursue further studies at the master level, including China Studies, Cultural Studies and specifically social sciences disciplines such as political science and sociology.