FACULTY OF SOCIAL 93
SOCIAL DEGREES OFFERED Website: http://www.hku.hk/socsc/ Title Abbreviation to be used JUPAS Code in the application form Bachelor of Social Sciences BSS 6717 BSocSc Bachelor of Social Work BSW 6731 BSW Bachelor of Social Sciences (Government and Laws) BSS(GL) 6810 BSocSc(Govt&Laws) Bachelor of Journalism BJ 6822 BJ Bachelor of Education and Bachelor of Social Sciences BED&BSS 6195 (double degree)* BED&BSS Number of first-year places: BSS 195 BSW 40 BSS(GL) 50 BJ 30 BED&BSS 16 Dean: Professor J.P. Burns, BA, MA, MPhil, PhD Faculty Secretary: Mrs A.W.C. Tsang, BSc, MSc Senior Assistant Registrar * This programme is subject to the University s approval. 94 The Faculty of Social Sciences was established in 1967 and has since undergone rapid expansion and significant transformation. The Faculty comprises the Departments of Geography, Politics and Public Administration, Psychology, Social Work and Social Administration, and Sociology. It also has nine multidisciplinary research centres that provide a platform for research interaction and collaboration among colleagues on campus and in the wider world. The Faculty offers four full-time and two part-time degree programmes with a total enrolment of more than 1,200 students. The Faculty endeavours to nurture caring leaders with global vision. We are committed to integrating the twin concepts of social innovation and global citizenship into all of our teaching and research programmes. Our ideal graduates are expected to be creative, flexible, inquisitive, critical and independent. Geography Geography provides useful knowledge to understand the interaction between the natural environment and human society. It offers important insights about how and why human beings think and behave differently in different natural environments, how human society and culture are developed in different places, and what policies and decisions can best utilise locational advantages and natural resources for the mutual benefit of both the human population and their environment. Students are offered a wide range of stimulating and well-structured courses that are grouped under four main themes, China and the Pacific Rim, Environment and Resources, Tourism and Leisure, and Urban and Transport. Majoring in Geography enables students to have an edge in the pursuit of careers in urban planning, transport logistics, environmental impact assessment, tourism, international trade, and public policy making. Politics and Public Administration A broad-based view on the study of politics is taken in the Department of Politics and Public Administration. Students are exposed to basic concepts and general features of political systems, as well as the organisation and functions of government. The specialist streams include comparative politics, international politics, political theory and public administration.
Psychology The current popularity of Psychology arises from the fact that it is all about us, and involves how we think and behave, together with how we interact with others at a social level. Courses in psychology therefore cover areas such as memory, learning, intelligence, language, perception, personality, and emotions, as well as more applied areas such as clinical and educational psychology. An undergraduate degree with a major in Psychology is essential for students wishing to pursue a career in clinical or educational psychology. Social Work and Social Administration The Department offers two programmes of study. One leads to the degree of BSW, an internationally recognised professional qualification for social work practice, while the other leads to the degree of BSocSc, and is aimed at students already reading for the degree but with an interest in social policy and social administration. This programme allows students to tailor their own interests according to four areas of concentration: (1) Policy and Planning, (2) Social Services, (3) Management and Administration, and (4) Social Research. Students may also choose any combination of courses within the curriculum. Sociology Sociology studies the changing trends of cultures and societies in a globalising world, although our own courses naturally place a strong emphasis on Hong Kong and China. Courses offered are grouped under three main streams: (1) Asian societies and globalization; (2) Criminology; and (3) Media, culture and heritages. To all three streams the Department brings its specialist expertise in social structural analysis, anthropological expertise and criminological research. The Department offers a curriculum which draws from the latest developments of the discipline, while underpinning them with a local and regional empirical focus. The Department also offers multidisciplinary major programmes in Criminology, Culture, Heritage and Tourism; and Media and Cultural Studies under the BSocSc degree, and offers a part-time Bachelor of Criminal Justice degree. Additional information on this Bachelor degree programme can be obtained from the Department. 6717 BACHELOR OF SOCIAL stated on page 117. from all backgrounds, including studying in arts, science and commerce. Applicants will be given preference for admission if they list BSocSc as their choice in Band A, but other applications will not be excluded if there are vacant places. educational breadth and depth and engages them in active learning through integrating classroom teaching and field and laboratory work with non-academic activities. It also encourages students to apply their knowledge to the study of concrete issues facing Hong Kong and the region. arts or science background. A distinct feature is that students are free to decide the discipline(s) in which they wish to specialise after the first year of study. Given the limited exposure of secondary school students to the field of humanities, this arrangement is exceptionally welcomed by students, as it gives them ample time to explore their potential and interests before making a decision. minimum of 180 credits (i.e. a total of 30 6-credit courses or its equivalent) over six semesters or three academic years of study. In the first two semesters, all BSocSc students will follow a broadly-based programme which provides them with a grounding in each of the five social sciences disciplines. off-campus learning under the twin theme Social Innovation and Global Citizenship as a condition of graduation. in any one of the following core disciplines: - #China social science - geography - politics and public administration - psychology - social work and social administration - sociology # Subject to University s approval. 95
96 Students are also allowed to opt for a second major offered by most of the departments in the University, in particular the above mentioned core disciplines and the following multidisciplinary majors offered by the Faculty: - cognitive science - counselling - criminology - culture, heritage and tourism - global studies - media and cultural studies - social policy and community building - urban governance In addition to the major(s), students may take a minor or double minor. Minors may be chosen from most of the departments in the University. The Faculty also offers the following multidisciplinary minors: - applied child development - cognitive science - counselling - criminology - culture, heritage and tourism - family and child studies - global studies - human resource management - media and cultural studies - social policy and community building - urban governance The BSocSc programme aims to train its students to achieve academic excellence and other personal attributes valued by employers. The off-campus learning under the social innovation and global citizenship heading prepares them for employment through gaining first-hand practical experience in internship, and broadening their horizon with overseas exposure. Graduates are well equipped to pursue careers in government, politics, public corporation, community organisations, media and private sector. Career prospects are promising for new graduates, and this is fully reflected in the outstanding achievements of our alumni in various sectors of society. Graduates who choose to further their studies are often accepted, with scholarships, by distinguished universities worldwide. EXAMINATIONS/ASSESSMENTS Examinations are normally held in December for the first semester courses and in May for the second semester and full-year courses. Apart from written examinations, students are also assessed by their performance in tutorials, practical work, and project reports during their courses. Email: socsc@hkucc.hku.hk Website: http://www.hku.hk/socsc 6731 BACHELOR OF SOCIAL WORK stated on page 117. admission if they list BSW as their choice in Band A and if they have volunteer experience. But other applicants will not be excluded if there are vacant places. group interviews. and mature students, will also be considered. a professionally recognised qualification in social work practice. The curriculum covers a number of areas, including welfare policy and services, social work theory and practice, human behaviour and social environment, social research, and subjects in psychology, sociology, and social administration. work skills laboratory course and, subsequently, undertake two fieldwork placements in local or overseas social work agencies. please visit our departmental website at: www. socialwork.hku.hk. Registered Social Workers with the Social Workers Registration Board and can take on professional social work posts in the Social Welfare Department or non-government organisations in Hong Kong. other careers that require good sensitivity in relating with people.
Tel: 2859-2094 Email: bsw@socwork.hku.hk Website: http://socialwork.hku.hk 6822 BACHELOR OF JOURNALISM 6810 BACHELOR OF SOCIAL (GOVERNMENT AND LAWS) backgrounds, including students studying arts, science and commerce. Students will be given preference for admission if they list BSocSc(Govt&Laws) as their choice in Band A, but other applications will not be excluded if there are vacant places. stated on page 117. Except applicants should obtain Level 5 and Level 4 or above in HKDSE English and Chinese Language respectively. This programme, jointly offered by the Department of Politics and Public Administration and the Department of Law, enables students to obtain two degrees in five years. Students are given an option to choose to exit with a Bachelor of Social Sciences (Government and Laws) after completing the fourth year of study, or to complete the 5-year programme for the award of a Bachelor of Social Sciences (Government and Laws) and a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree. Graduates will be well equipped to pursue careers in government, politics, public corporations, community organisations, journalism, and the private sector. Alternatively, they can undertake postgraduate studies in Politics and Public Administration or Law. Graduates with the LLB degree may also, if they wish, apply for admission to the Postgraduate Certificate in Laws (PCLL) programme, designed for law graduates who intend to practise as lawyers in Hong Kong, provided that they have taken and passed the required prerequisites. Email: bssgl@hku.hk Website: http://www.hku.hk/ppaweb stated on page 117. Extra credits will be given to applicants who score Level 4 or above in HKDSE English and Chinese Language. principals, records of extra-curricular activities and campus journalism experience may be considered. list BJ as their choice in Band A. Shortlisted applicants may be invited to attend an interview. professional skill courses, media studies and courses in liberal arts and the social sciences (e.g. economics, politics, sociology, psychology, English, statistics). Students will pursue a second major in the Faculties of Social Sciences, Arts, Business and Economics, Science or Engineering. integrated training in print, broadcast and online media. places students in media and journalism jobs in Hong Kong and overseas media. Students are required to spend at least two or three months over one or two summers working in media internships. or two semesters at leading overseas journalism schools, including the University of Missouri and the University of Maryland in the United States, the Danish School of Media and Journalism in Denmark, and the Sciences Po in Paris. Students in journalism will be highly qualified for careers in journalism, media-related jobs, and a wide range of professional jobs. The strong English component of the programme will also prepare students for many different career opportunities by emphasizing analytical and communication skills that employers in all fields value. 97
98 EXAMINATIONS/ASSESSMENTS Examinations are normally held in December for the first semester courses and in May for the second semester and full-year courses. Apart from written examinations, students are also assessed by their performance in tutorials, practical work, and project reports during their courses. Email: jmscbj@.hku.hk Website: http://jmsc.hku.hk 6195 BACHELOR OF EDUCATION AND BACHELOR OF SOCIAL The programme entrance requirements are the same as the University s minimum entrance requirements. JUPAS applicants should place the programme as their Band A choice since lower choices are not normally considered. JUPAS applicants are primarily selected on the basis of good examination results at the HKDSE. Non-JUPAS applicants who do not sit the HKDSE are selected mainly on the basis of their individual qualifications and achievements. Applicants may be asked to attend an interview to determine their suitability for the programme. This double degree programme is a five-year full-time programme, which is offered jointly by the Faculty of Education and the Faculty of Social Sciences. It is an integrated programme offering both academic and professional studies. It incorporates a graduate teaching qualification and is regarded as the equivalent of a BSS plus a Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE). This programme allows students to obtain two degrees in five years. The double degree programme requires students to complete 300 credit units, with a Social Sciences major and Education Professional Core courses with the Faculty of Education. Professional aspects of the double degree are phased in gradually over the five years with Pedagogy courses and Teaching Practice in Hong Kong secondary schools. Students will spend time in schools, initially observing and later teaching. Years 3 to 5 of the programme usually include a total of 19 weeks of shadowing and teaching practice. Graduates obtain a combined academic and professional qualification. Their thorough knowledge of the Social Science majors, broad understanding of educational issues, and high level of classroom expertise make them ideally suited to teaching Liberal Studies at all levels in mainstream Hong Kong secondary schools, and in international schools. Graduates will also have access to employment opportunities in the broader field of education as well as the many fields in which BSS graduates have been employed. EXAMINATIONS/ASSESSMENTS Students are assessed in a variety of ways, including assignments, written papers, written examinations, oral examinations, practical teaching etc. Students may also be assessed on their performance in tutorials and seminars and/or written work presented during their courses. Faculty of Social Sciences Tel: 2859-2981 Website: http://www.hku.hk/socsc Faculty of Education Tel: 2219-4659 Website: http://web.edu.hku.hk/courses. php?undergraduate BACHELOR OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE (PART-TIME) The Bachelor of Criminal Justice is a self-funded four-year part-time degree programme organised by the Department of Sociology. The programme caters for both the experienced practitioners and those seeking a career in the field of criminal justice or related fields. For practitioners it offers the benefit of tertiary level training and an opportunity to develop a broader knowledge of the core disciplines in criminal justice. It also prepares students for entry to criminal justice careers or postgraduate work by providing a comprehensive understanding of the social, legal, and scientific aspects of the administration of criminal justice. Tel: 2219-4801 Email: bcjhku@hku.hk Website: http://www.hku.hk/sociodep/html/ prog_bcj.html
BACHELOR OF SOCIAL WORK (PART-TIME) The Department of Social Work and Social Administration offers a self-funded three-year parttime undergraduate programme of professional studies in social work, leading to the Degree of Bachelor of Social Work. It is a top-up programme aiming to upgrade the professional qualifications of registered social workers already holding a higher diploma/associate degree in social work. The curriculum is the same as that of the full-time BSW programme, except that students will be exempted from 51 credits due to their previous training. The curriculum includes the knowledge, values, and skills that are essential for generic social work practice. Tel: 2219-4979 Email: chungoscar@socwork.hku.hk Website: http://socialwork.hku.hk 99