REGULATIONS FOR THE DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF ARTS

ECEN1202. Professional English for Arts students (3 credits)

This course aims to prepare Arts students for the professional workplace. The first half of the course focuses on the job-seeking process, helping students to write persuasive resumes and application letters and to perform confidently in interviews. The second half of the course seeks to improve students’ business writing skills and covers a range of document types, such as reports, letters and minutes. Assessment is wholly by coursework.

This course will be offered in the second semester.

AMERICAN STUDIES PROGRAMME

The Programme in American Studies provides an interdisciplinary approach to the study of American culture and civilization. Students must gain admittance to the programme by taking either or both of the first-year courses America at century’s end: introduction to American studies and Reading the American dream. Students may take these first-year courses in the second year as overload, if they have not registered for them in the first year. B.A. students pursuing an American Studies major may take no more than eight 6-credit courses (or the equivalent) in another faculty.

First Year

AMER1001. I.1 America at century’s end: introduction to American Studies (6 credits)

This is a half-year course which provides a multidisciplinary introduction to the United States during the past thirty years. It also gives students a grounding in multidisciplinary study techniques. Lectures and tutorials draw upon the areas of sociology, politics, history, culture, literature, film, and media, to provide an integrated understanding of the recent United States. This course is designed to be of interest to all students interested in the contemporary United States, as well as to provide the groundwork for further specialized study in this area. Assessment will be by coursework (50%) and a written examination (50%).

AMER1002. I.2 Reading the American dream (6 credits)

This is a half-year course which provides a multidisciplinary introduction to notions of success, the American Dream from the time of settlement to the modern period. The course will use primary documents music and film clips as texts. Assessment will be by coursework (50%) and a written examination (50%).

AMER1003. I.3 Defining the American dream (3 credits)

This weekly lecture series will review important events that helped to define the American Dream. Students may not take this course if they are taking AMER1002.

AMER1004. I.4 American culture at century’s end (3 credits)

This weekly lecture series will consider the implications of American culture from World War II to the present. Students may not take this course if they are taking AMER1001.

AMER1005. I.5 The culture of American politics (3 credits)

This weekly lecture series will concern issues in US politics. It will be coordinated by American Studies lecturers and include visiting academics and speakers from the US Consulate.

AMER1006. I.6 The rise of American business (3 credits)

This weekly lecture series will draw on selected issues in American business history. It will be coordinated by American Studies lecturers and taught by Hong-Kong faculty and representatives of the local business community.

AMER1007. I.7 Gender and culture: US case studies (3 credits)

This weekly lecture series will center on issues from women’s, men’s, and gender studies and will include changes in gender roles and family structure, liberation movements, and critiques of Western feminism. The course will pay particular attention to neo-Confucian perspectives on these issues.

YAES0001. I.8 The road in American culture (3 credits)

Dealing with film, fiction, music, material culture and architecture, and the electronic highway, this course will consider the road in America as reality and icon.

CHINESE

The aim of the Department of Chinese is to promote the understanding of Chinese language, literature and history; to further the ability of the students in the use of the Chinese language; and to study the development of the Chinese civilization and its place in the modern world.

The degree courses in Chinese are ordinarily taught in Chinese and are based on the assumption that the students have attained facility in the use of the Chinese language before entering the University, and that they have also acquired sufficient mastery of the English language to enable them to use freely references and relevant works published in English. Provision may be made from time to time for elective courses on various aspects of the Chinese civilization.

The Department offers four majors in the second and third years as follows:

Chinese Language and Literature [for which students must select eight 6-credit (or the equivalent) or more courses from Group A]

Chinese History [for which students must select eight 6-credit (or the equivalent) or more courses from Group B]

Translation [for which students must select all eight 6-credit (or the equivalent) courses in Group C]

Chinese Studies [for which students must select eight 6-credit (or the equivalent) or more courses from Groups A and B]

First Year

A. Chinese Language and Literature

CHIN1001. I.1.a A survey of the Chinese language (6 credits)

An introduction to the various aspects of the Chinese language: etymology, phonology, lexicology and grammar, with special reference to the cultural context and its developments in the twentieth century.

CHIN1002. I.1.b An introduction to standard works in Chinese literature (6 credits)

A fundamental study of standard works and selected writings in the classical, modern and contemporary Chinese literature.

Students intending to major in Chinese language and literature in their second and third years are required to have completed both of the courses I.1.a and I.1.b.

B. Chinese History

CHIN1003. I.2.a Topical studies of Chinese history (6 credits)

Special topics to be considered include major political, social, economic and institutional changes in Chinese history.

CHIN1004. I.2.b An introduction to the study of Chinese history (6 credits)

A foundation course in the development of Chinese history and historiography.

CHIN1005. I.2.c Chinese history of the twentieth century (3 credits)

A brief survey of the transformation and reformation of China since 1900.

CHIN1006. I.2.d Chinese culture in the twentieth century (3 credits)

An introduction to the major cultural changes since 1900.

CHIN1007. I.2.e Chinese history: a general survey (3 credits)

An introduction to the Chinese political, social, and economic history from the early times to the present century.

YCHI0001. I.2.f Traditional Chinese culture (3 credits)

An introduction to the general characteristics of traditional Chinese culture.

Courses I.2.e and I.2.f are to be offered to non-Arts students.

C. Translation

CHIN1009. I.3.a Introduction to translation (6 credits)

An introduction to the skills and theoretical issues of translation, with guided practice in translating material of daily usage.

CHIN1010. I.3.b Language studies for translation (6 credits)

An examination of the various aspects of the Chinese and English languages, with special reference to the problems arising from translation between the two languages.

Students intending to major in Translation in their second and third years are required to have completed both of the courses I.3.a and I.3.b.

Assessment

Assessment for the First Year courses is as follows:

I.1.a - b,	I.3.a - b:	75% examination, 25% coursework;
	I.2.a - b:	50% examination, 50% coursework;
	I.2.c - f:	100% continuous assessment by coursework.

The examination for each of the courses (with the exception of I.2.c - f) will consist of one written paper of 3 hour duration.

COGNITIVE SCIENCE

The following interdisciplinary course is offered jointly by the Departments of Computer Science and Information Systems, Linguistics, Philosophy and Psychology.

COGN1001. Introduction to cognitive science (6 credits)

This course allows students to gain an understanding of the workings of the mind in the context of the technological advances that are increasingly shaping our lives and our society. The course would introduce students to the domain, goals and methods of Cognitive Science, showing how different disciplines converge in their enquiry into how the brain works. With integration as the overall objective, there would be a series of lectures given by specialists within each of the major disciplines (Computer Science and Information Systems, Linguistics, Philosophy, and Psychology) that contribute to Cognitive Science. A basic neuroscience module may be introduced as well. Each series of lectures would present case studies highlighting research or development areas which show how similar questions about the functioning of the human mind are answered from the perspective of each contributing discipline.

COMPARATIVE LITERATURE

If we do not study other cultures, we cannot even understand our own. In the department we study literature from a broad range of international and interdisciplinary perspectives, and in relation to other forms of cultural expression.

Thus the department includes within its scope the comparative study of literature, of European and American literature, of East Asian and Western literature (East-West studies), and of literary and cultural theory. Our studies include feminist theories of culture, the relationship between narrative and film, theories of popular culture, and new media technologies.

Such an approach provides a focus for significant interdisciplinary study in the Humanities and a training in thinking about the nature of the relationship between culture and society. The direction of interest is indicated in the description of each course.

Texts are studied in English, though texts in Chinese are used in East-West or Chinese/Hong Kong literary/cultural studies.

Courses are open to students who have fulfilled the University’s entrance requirements, though priority will usually be given to students with a Grade C or above in the Use of English examination, or who otherwise show special aptitude.

In order to major in Comparative Literature students must select not less than eight 6-credit courses or equivalent from among those offered by the Department in the second and third years. There are no particular requirements in terms of core courses and course combinations. Students opting to major in Comparative Literature must also normally have taken at least two of the first year courses offered by the Department.

All courses will be examined by means of a two-hour written examination to be held at the end of the semester in which they are taught, with the exception of CLIT1002 which will be examined by a one and a half-hour written paper. The weighting of this examination varies from course to course. See the details provided in each course description.

Syllabus

First-year Courses

The department’s first year programme consists of courses introducing the students to cross-cultural, transdisciplinary perspectives on comparative literary, cultural and visual studies. Students may take up to four courses.

CLIT1001. I.1 Introduction to comparative literary, cultural and visual studies I: film studies (6 credits)

The course will introduce students to the techniques and practice of film through the study of a historically and culturally varied range of cinematic productions. Both international and local cinema will be studied. The aim of the course is to enable the students to read the language of film.

Assessment: 50% coursework, 50% examination.

CLIT1002. I.2 Introduction to comparative literary, cultural and visual studies II: gender studies (6 credits)

The course will introduce the students to feminist understandings of fiction, film and other cultural forms, and demonstrate how ideas of male and female gender, and sexuality are constructed culturally and socially. Both Chinese and non-Chinese contexts will be addressed.

Assessment: 25% coursework, 75% examination.

CLIT1003. I.3 Introduction to comparative literary, cultural and visual studies III: digital culture (6 credits)

The course is an introduction to the cultures of the internet and digital technologies. The theoretical and practical possibilities of e-mail and World Wide Web for research in literary, cultural and multi-media studies will be explored. Topics to be examined include online research practices, hypertext, and preliminary webpage and multimedia design and authoring, as what constitutes cultures of the visual, spatial, corporeal, and digital is explored. Fictional and theoretical texts and films will be examined in addition and in relation to the websites which are to be studied and created.

Assessment: 25% coursework, 75% examination.

This course meets the University’s IT requirement.

CLIT1004. I.4 Introduction to comparative literary, cultural and visual studies IV: postcolonialism (6 credits)

The course introduces the importance of the cultural representations of colonizer and colonized in forming the way we imagine the world today. Through film, fiction and other texts, the students will study colonial practices, and the colonized’s responses. Hong Kong, China and Chinese people will form an integral part of the course.

Assessment: 50% coursework, 50% examination.

COMPUTER SCIENCE AND INFORMATION SYSTEMS

The Department of Computer Science and Information Systems offers a total of six courses to Arts students over the three years of study.

All courses offered consist of 52 contact hours together with a three-hour examination paper (unless otherwise specified) which will be held at the end of the semester in which the course is taken. The final grades in each course will be determined by performance in the examination and in an assessment of the coursework. For the courses offered by the Department of Computer Science and Information Systems these weightings shall be in the following ratios (with the weighting for examination performance given first followed by the weighting for continuous assessment):

First-year Course

CSIS0246. - 75:25

CSIS0246. Computer concepts and programming (6 credits)

This course introduces basic computing concepts and the art of computer programming. Contents include: basic concepts and vocabulary of computers; techniques for the design and construction of computer programs; use of C++ language and standard libraries template to solve problems over a wide range of applications.

ECONOMICS AND FINANCE

Examinations, Coursework Assessment, Prerequisites and Combinations

First Year

Two courses are offered by the School of Economics and Finance for first year students. Introduction to economics I is a prerequisite for all second- and third-year courses. Introduction to economics II, though not compulsory for non-B. Econ. students, is highly recommended.

The examination for each course, unless otherwise specified, is one two-hour written paper. The final grade will be determined by performance in the examination and an assessment of coursework. For the courses offered by the School of Economics and Finance, this weighting shall be in the ratio 60%:40%. For courses offered by other departments, the weighting of coursework will be determined by the departments concerned.

Syllabuses

First-year Courses

ECON1001. Introduction to economics I (6 credits)

An introduction to the basic concepts and principles of economics, with emphasis on the theoretical framework of choice theory, the nature of constraints, the measure of value, the laws of demand and productivity, and the implications for resource use and employment.

This is compulsory and a prerequisite for all second- and third-year courses in economics.

ECON1002. Introduction to economics II (6 credits)

Further discussion of demand and supply and multi-market equilibrium, especially in an aggregative context. An introduction to money, banking, financial markets, and open economies.

ENGLISH

The Department of English gives teaching and supervision in English and American literatures, world literature in English, sociolinguistics, critical linguistics, and English language and linguistics.

The first-year English courses, ENGL1001, ENGL1002, ENGL1003, and ENGL1004, are open to students with grades of A, B, or C in the Use of English Examination. Arts students taking English in the first year are required to take all four courses.

The Department of English offers three majors in the second and third years as follows:

English Linguistics [for which students must select six 6-credit courses (or the equivalent) from List A and two 6-credit courses (or the equivalent) from List B. Optionally, up to two List A courses may be replaced by courses from List C.]

Literature in English [for which students must select six 6-credit courses (or the equivalent) from List B and two 6-credit courses (or the equivalent) from List A. Optionally, up to two List B courses may be replaced by courses from List C.]

English Studies [for which students must select four 6-credit courses (or the equivalent) from List A and another four 6-credit courses (or the equivalent) from List B. Optionally, one course from List A may be replaced by a course from List C and/or one course from List B may be replaced by a course from List C.]

Students intending to take English courses in their second and third years must have completed satisfactorily all four first-year courses. Students with less than a C range average in their first year English courses, or with an unsatisfactory report from their tutor, will not normally be permitted to major in English.

Regular attendance at tutorials and other classes and the punctual completion of work prescribed by the student’s tutor or supervisor are expected.

Some second- and third-year courses are designated as ‘tutorial courses’. There are no formal lectures for these courses, the programme being conducted by private study and written assignments under the direction of course tutors. Admission to these courses is conditional upon examination performance and tutors’ recommendations.

Choice of courses and options is subject to the approval of the department. Students must ensure that their choice of courses conforms to any prerequisites laid down by the department.

Prescribed reading, specifications for each course, recommended course combinations, and information about prerequisites are available in the department handbook and the website http://www.hku.hk/english.

First Year

ENGL1001. Introduction to English linguistics I (3 credits)

This course will introduce students to the basic elements of the English language, including the writing system and the sound system, word-formation and lexicon, structure and cohesion of sentences, pragmatics, and registers and varieties of English.

ENGL1002. Introduction to English linguistics II (3 credits)

In this course students will explore some of the key social, political and intellectual issues surrounding the international use of English. Topics covered include the standardization of English, English and colonialism/nationalism, grammars, dictionaries and prescriptivism, women’s language, and the politics of English.

ENGL1003. Introduction to literary studies in English I (3 credits)

This course will introduce students to twentieth-century British and American literature, with emphasis on short fiction, the novel, and poetry. Attention will also be given to critical approaches and literary history.

ENGL1004. Introduction to literary studies in English II (3 credits)

This course will consider works of twentieth-century British and American literature and film, with emphasis on drama and film. Attention will also be given to critical approaches and literary history.

First Year Examinations

First year English courses will each be examined by a one-and-a-half-hour written paper.

First Year Coursework Assessment

Coursework assessment marks are based on tutorial assignments and class performance. The final grades for the department’s first year courses are based on the student’s performance in the written examination (60%) and in coursework (40%).

EUROPEAN STUDIES

The Programme in European Studies provides an interdisciplinary approach to the study of European civilization. Each student in the programme will be required to take courses equivalent to eighteen credit units in either French or German in each of the three years of the programme, with the additional condition that a student, having made his or her initial choice between French and German at the outset, will have to take courses in the same language throughout all three years. In their second and third years students must take, in addition to the language courses, a selection of courses equivalent to a minimum of forty-eight credit units from the following list of European Studies related courses, at least half of which (twenty-four credit units) must be ‘core’ courses as marked with an asterisk and of which at least four courses (twenty-four credit units) must be chosen from the range of courses in History and Philosophy (Group 2), and at least two courses (twelve credit units) from among the courses in Fine Arts and Music (Group 3). Departmental prerequisites for second- and third-year courses must also be met, where applicable.

The Programme will be coordinated by the Board of Studies in European Studies and students fulfilling the requirements of the Programme will be deemed European Studies majors for the purpose of satisfying Regulation A11(b).

First-year Courses

Compulsory Courses

LANG1001. French I.1 (6 credits)

LANG1002. French I.2 (12 credits)

LANG1003. German I.1 (6 credits)

LANG1004. German I.2 (12 credits)

Recommended Course

EUST1001. Introduction to European Studies (6 credits)

The principal focus of this course will be the historical development of Europe and the ‘idea of Europe’ from ancient times until the Renaissance and the Reformation in the sixteenth century. Using this historical focus the course will consider questions of broad interdisciplinary interest to provide a strong foundation for students who wish to pursue a major in European Studies in their second and third years. Students enrolling in this course should also consider taking

FINE1001. Introduction to western art history, MUSI1005. Introduction to music in western culture and/or one of the first-year Philosophy courses.

Assessment: 50% coursework, 50% examination

A selection of courses from among the following list of first-year courses is also recommended for students intending to choose a major in European Studies.

English

ENGL1001. Introduction to English linguistics I (3 credits)

ENGL1002. Introduction to English linguistics II (3 credits)

ENGL1003. Introduction to literary studies in English I (3 credits)

ENGL1004. Introduction to literary studies in English II (3 credits)

Fine Arts

FINE1001. Introduction to western art history (6 credits)

History

HIST1001. Introduction to Western history (6 credits)

Music

MUSI1005. Introduction to music in western culture (6 credits)

Philosophy

PHIL1001. Knowledge of the world: an introduction to philosophy (6 credits)

PHIL1002. The human mind: an introduction to philosophy (6 credits)

PHIL1003. Ethics and politics: an introduction to philosophy (6 credits)

PHIL1004. Chinese and western thought: an introduction to philosophy (6 credits)

Politics and Public Administration

POLI1001. Introduction to political science (6 credits)

Sociology

SOCI1002. Introduction to sociology (6 credits) or

SOCI1003. Introduction to anthropology (6 credits)

FINE ARTS

The programme of the Department of Fine Arts focusses on the history of art, both as a discipline in itself, and as it relates to other intellectual disciplines, in what is an integral element of a humanistic education. Enquiries in the history of art, one of the realms of cultural history, require both careful analysis of the language of the art in question, and reference to other forms of historical and cultural study. The programme addresses issues arising from the major trends in the evolution of the visual arts in both the West and Asia, and provides induction into the methodologies of the various fields offered. This programme, while offering numerous options for majors in a wide variety of fields, is also well suited to combinations with other Arts and Social Sciences disciplines, and includes options for those who seek some cultural enrichment in their academic experience at the University.

Two first-year courses are open to all students who have fulfilled the entrance requirements of the University and the Faculty of Arts. Two introductory courses are also available to second-year students.

Prospective majors in Fine Arts must select not less than eight 6-credit courses, or the equivalent, from among those offered by the Department in the second and third years, and must take in their final year at least one of the following third year courses: 04316, 04317, 04313 or 04309. These students must also normally have taken both first year courses (FINE1001 and FINE1002). Prospective majors who have only taken one course in their first year will normally be required to take either 04219 or 04249 in their second year, because all majors are expected to have some exposure to both Asian and Western art.

While there are no defined requirements in terms of core courses or course combinations, the Department strongly recommends certain streams or possible combinations. These include options in Western, Chinese, Indian, S.E. Asian and Japanese art, which are considered viable streams, or sequences, in a programme of study leading to a defined plateau of achievement. The details, including those of courses which are scheduled to be offered in the coming year, are published annually in the Department brochure, and other media.

All students are asked to note that individual second and third year courses in the Fine Arts Department may require FINE1001 or FINE1002 (or their Second Year equivalents 04219 and 04249) as prerequisites. All major and other course selections are subject to the approval of the Head of Department.

The courses are generally taught in English, but readings in Chinese art courses may be in Chinese and English.

The form of assessment for each course is specified in the course description. Courses will be examined at the end of the semester in which they are taught.

Coursework assessment will be based on the student’s performance in tutorials, seminars, written work and other practical work (e.g. studio art activities) as specified by the course instructor. Coursework assessment will provide 40% of the final grade for each course, except for those courses which specify a different weighting.

First Year

FINE1001. Introduction to western art history (6 credits)

This course will introduce students to the art of Europe from the periods of ancient Greek and Roman civilization to the art of the 20th century. Major developments in painting, sculpture and architecture will be studied, with the aim of giving students an understanding of the main characteristics of the art produced, and the relationship of art to the culture in which it was created. The examination for this course will be one-and-a-half hours in length. No previous knowledge of art history is assumed. Assessment: 40% coursework, 60% examination.

FINE1002. Introduction to Asian art history (6 credits)

This course is a survey of Asian art through a variety of art forms including ceramics, bronzes, sculpture, architecture, painting, calligraphy. The course will center on the arts of China and place Chinese art as it interacts with the arts of its neighboring countries. It will provide students with an overview of some major developments in these regions. The examination for this course will be one-and-a-half hours in length. No previous knowledge of art history is assumed. Assessment: 40% coursework, 60% examination.

GEOGRAPHY AND GEOLOGY

The prerequisite for admission to courses in the Department of Geography and Geology for Arts students is ordinarily a pass in geography at the Advanced Level, or a good pass in geography at the Advanced Supplementary Level. The academic requirement, however, may be waived by the Head of Department in special cases.

First Year

To coincide with the University’s introduction of new credit-unit system in the academic year 1998-99, the Department will implement a new Geography undergraduate curriculum designed to assist the students in learning and understanding geographical and environmental-related knowledge and issues within a modern context and perspective. To tie in with the University’s gradual phase-in of the credit-unit system, the new Geography curriculum will be implemented in three stages - first with the offering of six new first-year courses in 1998-99, followed by new second-year courses in 1999-2000, and new third-year courses in 2000-01.

The new first-year Geography courses are taught in the form of lectures, discussion classes, fieldwork and practical classes. Each course, except GEOG1005. Map use, reading and interpretation, will be examined by one two-hour written paper at the First Examination.

The basic aim of the courses is to provide students who intend to major or otherwise in Geography in their second and third years with a general environmental-geography background and an introduction to geographical methods of inquiry.

First-year students intending to major in Geography in the second- and third-years are required to take at least two first-year courses (i.e. a minimum of 12 credits), and are strongly recommended to take 3-5 courses in order to have a wider basic knowledge for their second- and third-year studies.

GEOG1001. Geography of global development (6 credits)

This course explains world development problems from a geographical perspective. It examines how people earn a living and how the goods and services they produce are geographically organized. It emphasizes conflicting arguments and theories essential to understanding a world economy in rapid transition. Topics to be covered will include population growth, economic development in underdeveloped countries, geopolitical organizations, social geography and the cultural landscape, urbanization and rural-urban structure, pollution and resource depletion, patterns of land use, economic justice, international business, social and economic development and multinational and international commerce.

Assessment: 30% coursework, 70% examination.

This course will be offered in the first semester.

GEOG1002. Hong Kong: land, people and resources (6 credits)

This course provides students with a fundamental understanding of the major human geographical issues in Hong Kong. The course will cover a wide range of contemporary issues such as demographic structure and changes, economic development, industrialization, urbanization, housing, transportation, and planning. Hong Kong’s economic and social linkages with other parts of the Pearl River Delta (PRD) region will also be discussed. It will conclude with a discussion on some of the most salient development problems faced by Hong Kong and their possible solutions.

This course will be relevant to students with a general interest in Hong Kong and its immediate hinterland. It is of particular relevance to Arts students in Chinese, Comparative Literature, History, Linguistics by providing them a comprehensive local geographical background.

Assessment: 30% coursework, 70% examination.

This course will be offered in the second semester.

GEOG1003. Contemporary global environmental issues (6 credits)

Recent decades have been characterized by increasing awareness of environmental issues and the need to come to terms with them. This course introduces the major global environmental issues and links them to contemporary socio-economic and political considerations while maintaining a geographical perspective.

The course is divided into five sections dealing with Climate Change, Water Resources and Pollution, The Human Impact on the Earth’s Surface, Natural Hazards and Other Issues (such as Energy Supply, Nuclear Proliferation and Management of the Earth). Each section will consider some important contemporary issues with emphasis being placed on the inter-relatedness of many of the issues raised. Practical exercises will form an integral part of the course.

Assessment: 30% coursework, 70% examination.

This course will be offered in the first semester.

GEOG1006. Natural resources and conservation (6 credits)

The consumption of the Earth’s resources has reached an alarming intensity and variety in modern times. The objective is to survey the major issues related to the tenure of human-nature interactions, their current status as well as the prognosis for the future. A synoptic view on the cultural roots of the exploitative utilization of our planet sets the backdrop for a systematic assessment of the different but interrelated components of the resource system. Various abiotic, biotic and abiotic-cum-biotic segments are discussed in the light of their use and misuse, and the possibility for a more enlightened approach towards a sustainable future. Adopting a non-technical approach, this course appeals to students with training in different science or humanity disciplines.

Assessment: 25% coursework, 75% examination.

This course will be offered in the second semester.

GEOG1005. Map use, reading and interpretation (6 credits)

The course takes the practical approach toward achieving a comparative understanding of the appropriateness and strengths of different mapping approaches in highlighting spatial events and their presentation. The lectures will cover fundamental concepts underlying different mapping techniques, their strengths, limitations, and interpretation. The practicals will be devoted to imparting essential manual and computer-assisted mapping skills. More importantly, students will enjoy learning a variety of map-related procedures using cases and events from the local areas.

Assessment: 60% coursework, 40% project (to be submitted in examination week).

This course will be offered in the second semester.

GEOG1007. Introduction to the geography of China (6 credits)

A course about the evolving physical, cultural and political landscape of China. Emphasis is placed on (a) the natural environment and physical setting for development; (b) historical geography and evolution of the landscape; (c) the political system and post-1949 development; and (d) the growth and spatial distribution of population. The purpose is to assist students to better understand the process of economic restructuring and spatial transformation in the context of a rapidly growing socialist country.

Assessment: 100% examination.

This course will be offered in the first semester.

HISTORY

The Department of History believes that the study of history provides a valuable training both for general students and specialist historians. We therefore welcome all students in the Arts and Social Sciences, regardless of their past experience in this area.

Courses in the Department are open both to B.A. students who wish to major in History and to other students in the Faculty of Arts who are not taking, or intending to take, History as a major. Students from the Faculty of Social Sciences and other faculties are also welcome in most courses offered by the Department, and an A-Level examination result in History is not a prerequisite for any first-year course.

All students intending to major in History are required to take HIST1001. Introduction to Western history, HIST1002. Introduction to Chinese history, and HIST1003. Information technology for historical studies in their first year. Students may also fulfil this requirement by taking one or more of these courses in the second year, but in such cases these courses will not count towards the second and third-year requirements for the major. Students intending to major in History are also encouraged to take HIST1004. Workshop in historical research, but this is not a prerequisite for the major.

First-year Courses

HIST1001. Introduction to Western history (6 credits)

This introductory course will be offered in the first semester and is a prerequisite for all students who intend to major in History, but it will also be of interest to other students who wish to include History in their first-year programme. The course aims at encouraging students to acquire a range of skills and knowledge which will equip them for further studies in History but which also provides a more general preparation for the workplace and a deeper understanding of the world at large. The course develops important transferable skills such as analytical and critical reasoning, lateral thinking and communication skills in a range of learning situations. Emphasis is placed on interaction between students and teachers at both the group and individual level, and students are encouraged to acquire information technology skills through use of a web-based ‘electronic textbook’. The coursework will focus on a range of themes exploring the nineteenth-century Western world. Students enrolling in this course must also either enroll in HIST1003. Information technology for historical studies or complete an equivalent course in the first semester.

Assessment: 75% coursework, 25% examination.

This course will be offered in the first semester.

HIST1002. Introduction to Chinese history (6 credits)

This course will be offered in the second semester and is a prerequisite for all students who intend to major in History, but it will also be of interest to other students who wish to include History in their first-year programme. Its general aims are identical to the first-semester course (HIST1001. Introduction to Western history), but the coursework will focus on themes and issues in the nineteenth-century Chinese world with a special emphasis on the role of Hong Kong as a window between China and the West. Students enrolling in this course are required to have passed HIST1003. Information technology for historical studies or its equivalent in the first semester.

Assessment: 75% coursework, 25% examination.

This course will be offered in the second semester.

HIST1003. Information technology for historical studies (3 credits)

This course will be offered in the first semester and is a prerequisite for all students who intend to major in History. It will satisfy the requirements for the Information Technology component of the first-year curriculum. Students will learn a range of information technology skills within the framework of the historical discipline and will consider how best to apply information technology developments both critically and creatively in the pursuit of their historical studies. Students will be exposed to a variety of learning situations, but special emphasis will be placed on the web-based ‘electronic textbook’ which has been specially developed for first-year History students.

Assessment: 100% coursework.

This course will be offered in the first semester.

HIST1004. Workshop in historical research (6 credits)

The research skills and methodologies used by historians are based on the critical analysis of primary and secondary sources. Competency in these skills and an acquaintance with the various methodologies of the historian are central to advanced studies in the historical discipline, but these skills and methodologies are also highly transferable to the workplace. In this course, students will work in small groups on a research project. Learning will be through directed group discussions and coordinated individual research tasks. The course will introduce students to a wide range of historical sources, equip them with the skills to analyse and interpret those sources, and will also encourage students to develop leadership and team-work roles in solving real historical problems. The prerequisite for this course is HIST1001. Introduction to Western history, and students are also required to be enrolled concurrently in HIST1002. Introduction to Chinese history.

Assessment: 100% coursework.

This course will be offered in the second semester.

JAPANESE STUDIES

First Year

If you plan to major in Japanese Studies you must take a total of 36 credits in Japanese in the first year. This means that the courses listed below are compulsory. Besides these courses, you must take 12 credits from the obligatory University Broadening Courses and 18 credits from other courses offered by the Faculty of Arts, so that altogether you take at least 66 credits during your first year at the University.

JAPN1001. Japanese grammar: morphology and syntax (6 credits)

The course comprises theoretical explanations of the phonology, morphology, and syntax of Japanese and builds towards a general grammatical competence in the language. Frequent cross-linguistic references are made to Cantonese and English to elucidate areas of potential interference, and so facilitate language acquisition, while also stimulating linguistic interest.

Assessment: 100% coursework.

JAPN1002. Pattern practice: drills (6 credits)

Pattern practice and drilling exercises are vital to the mastery of a second language. The small group setting provides personal contact with the Japanese language. The objective of the course is to effect internalisation of grammatical rules and patterns introduced in the theoretical course on morphology and syntax.

Assessment: 100% coursework.

JAPN1003. Reading comprehension and writing skills (6 credits)

This course is designed to nurture reading comprehension skill through selected texts, as well as develop a sense of appreciation for the literary or written style of the language. Students will learn to write simple texts during the course of their studies.

Assessment: 100% coursework.

JAPN1004. Audio-visual Japanese (6 credits)

This audio-visual aided course aims to develop further communicative competence through discourse analysis and aural comprehension exercises. Live Japanese in a diversity of situations will furnish the students with the cultural and paralinguistic background necessary for language acquisition.

Assessment: 70% coursework, 30% examination.

JAPN1005. Communicative competence (6 credits)

This course centres on developing speaking ability through small group interaction in the target language. A large number of graded conversation exercises in diverse language contexts are designed to enable communication in the target language at an early stage and to provide a basis for communicative competence in later years.

Examination: An oral examination (ab. 20 minutes) at the end of the second term.

Assessment: 70% coursework, 30% examination.

JAPN1006. Introduction to Japanese culture (6 credits)

The purpose of this course is to familiarise first year students of Japanese with various aspects of Japanese culture, past and present. The course is taught by lecturers and professors of the Department of Japanese Studies to small groups of students. This ensures that all students will get to know at least one member of the academic staff well during their first year of study. The course is taught by means of lectures and videos on Japan, and class discussions and presentations.

Examination: A two hour written examination at the end of the term in which the course was taken.

Assessment: 50% coursework, 50% examination.

LANGUAGE CENTRE

The Language Centre, through its French and German sections, provides BA degree courses in French and German for the Arts Faculty, as well as some certificate and voluntary courses available to students of all Faculties. The number of places in each group is limited in order to ensure an appropriate environment for language learning.

First Year

LANG1001. French I.1 (6 credits)

This course is intended for complete beginners in French and does not require any previous knowledge of the language. Participants will acquire a basic knowledge in the four areas of competence (listening, speaking, reading and writing) with a particular emphasis on communicative skills. Classes will be conducted in small groups in order to ensure a high degree of interactivity between participants and teachers. Conversation groups and laboratory groups will also be arranged separately on a regular basis.

Prerequisite:	Nil
Assessment:	100% coursework. Includes: (i) progress tests, (ii) participation in class and (iii) various assignments.

This course will be offered in the first semester.

LANG1002. French I.2 (12 credits)

This course is a continuation of French I.1. It will further develop the four areas of competence with the view of expanding students’ linguistic, pronunciation and communicative skills. As in French I.1, separative conversation and laboratory groups will be arranged to complement classroom tuition. In addition, participants will be asked to make use of a range of materials available in the Centre’s self-access facilities (which include audio, video, CD Rom and computer programmes), as well as take advantage of resources accessible through various Internet sites. Students intending to proceed to the second year will be provided before the summer break with specifically designed self-learning packages in order to consolidate the first year's work.

Prerequisite:	Students must have satisfactorily completed French I.1 or provide evidence that they have attained a comparable level elsewhere.
Assessment:	One Final Examination and a Coursework element which shall count respectively 60% and 40% of the final grade awarded.

The First Examination for French I.2 consists of one written paper of 2 hour-duration and a separate oral examination.

Coursework assessment for this course includes (i) progress tests, (ii) participation in class and (iii) various assignments.

This course will be offered in the second semester.

LANG1003. German I.1 (6 credits)

This beginners’ course in German language does not require any previous knowledge of German. Students will be able to acquire basic linguistic and communicative skills in German in the areas of speaking, listening, reading and writing. Apart from their regular language classes, students will be taught in small tutorial groups in order to ensure a highly conducive environment for practising their language skills.

Prerequisite:	Nil
Assessment:	Coursework 100%. Includes: (i) progress tests, (ii) participation in class and (iii) assignments.

This course will be offered in the first semester.

LANG1004. German I.2 (12 credits)

This course is a continuation of German I.1. It combines linguistic and communicative skills in German with a balanced emphasis on speaking, listening, reading and writing. Small tutorial groups which will be arranged in addition to the regular language classes will provide the students with an environment highly conducive to practising their language skills. The course will also encourage students to exploit resources available on the Internet and the Centre’s self-practice facilities (Language Resources Centres and Practice Labs) which provide a wide range of materials for language practice such as audio and video tapes, CD-Roms and computer programmes. Students intending to proceed to the second year will be provided with a range of self-access materials to maintain and enhance their acquired skills during the summer break.

Prerequisite:	German I.1 or comparable level acquired elsewhere. Students wishing to be admitted to German I.2 without having enrolled for German I.1 previously will have to satisfy the Faculty Board through the Director of the Language Centre that they have attained elsewhere a standard adequate to enable them to complete the course satisfactory.
Assessment:	Coursework shall count 40% of the grade awarded for the paper taken in the First Examination: German I.2.

The First Examination for German I.2 consists of one written paper of two hours’ duration, an oral examination and a coursework assessment element.

This course will be offered in the second semester.

LINGUISTICS

In the Department of Linguistics, students can investigate a variety of different languages and through such investigations, come to a better understanding of the shared structure and broad variation of the world’s languages. The BA programme provides a firm foundation so that those students who wish to do so can go on to pursue advanced study in linguistics.

The undergraduate programme in Linguistics permits students to combine in a single field a variety of Arts and Social Science subjects and to develop their analytic skills in depth. Students are encouraged to explore with members of staff the many relationships of linguistics with other fields in order to discover the programme that best suits their individual goals and interests.

The Linguistics Major

In addition to passing the first-year course in Linguistics, majors in linguistics must pass at least eight second- and third-year courses (or the equivalent), of which at least three must be from the list of advanced courses. Students may of course take more than this minimum number of linguistics courses, and are encouraged to do so, but should also try to achieve a balance in their Arts curriculum as well.

Students must pass at least three of the following advanced courses to satisfy the requirements for a major in Linguistics:

B0251.	Contrastive grammar II
B0252.	Experimental phonetics
B0253.	Historical linguistics
B0254.	Language typology
B0255.	Morphology
B0256.	Phonology II
B0257.	Syntax II
B0258.	Advanced study in linguistics

First-year Course

‘Introduction to linguistics’ is a one-semester course open to all students who have fulfilled entrance requirements of the University; this course is a prerequisite for all intermediate and advance courses taught in the Department of Linguistics. This course is not limited to first-year students, but may be taken in second-year study as well.

LING1001. Introduction to linguistics (6 credits)

Students will be introduced to the fundamentals of linguistic inquiry: sounds and sound patterns, word formation, sentence structure, organisation of meaning and conversation, and language change. This course will illustrate how linguists approach their subject matter through the investigation of such topics as child’s language, writing systems, and language in the brain. Students will gain insight into the general structure underlying all language as well as the diversity of linguistic structures. The course provides a basis for further linguistic study with practice in generalisation, argumentation, and data analysis for a wide variety of languages.

First-year Assessment: The final examination will be a two-hour paper worth 60% of the course grade, and coursework will constitute 40% of the course grade.

MATHEMATICS

The Department of Mathematics has two broad aims. The first is to give students a formal education in the different fields of mathematics so that the students may develop an appreciation of mathematics both as a subject in its own right, as well as one that has far-reaching applications. The second is to prepare students for graduate study, for the teaching of mathematics in the school, and for positions in business, industry and other areas which require a good grounding in mathematics. Teaching is given in lectures, example classes and tutorials. There will be regular assignments and term tests.

First Year

First-year students who have a knowledge of mathematics equivalent to that for a pass in Pure Mathematics at the Advanced Level may choose their courses from among Calculus I, Calculus II, Linear algebra I and Linear algebra II. Each course will be examined at the end of the semester in which it is taught. Teaching will take the form of lectures, example classes and tutorials. Tutorials will be conducted in small groups for more individual attention to be given to the students.

Students who have only HKCEE Mathematics may take Basic mathematics. The emphasis of this course will be placed upon the study of basic ideas and techniques and their applications.

MATH1201. I.1 Calculus I (6 credits)

The Real Number System: supremum, infimum, completeness axiom and inequalities. Functions and Limits: Basic properties. Continuous Functions: Basic properties, intermediate value theorem and uniformly continuous function. Differentiation: Differentiable function, basic rules, local extremum, Rolle’s theorem, mean value theorem, L’Hospital’s rule and Taylor’s formula. Riemann integrals: Riemann integrability, basic properties, first and second fundamental theorem of calculus, exponential and hyperbolic functions and logarithm.

Assessment: One 2.5-hour written examination (60%) together with coursework assessment (40%).

MATH1202. I.2 Calculus II (6 credits)

Infinite Sequences and Series: Sequence of real numbers, subsequence, series of constant terms, Cauchy’s criterion, tests for convergence, absolute convergence, Taylor’s and binomial series and power series. Differentiability: Partial derivative, differentiability and Taylor’s formula. Maxima and Minima: Local extremum, method of lagrange multipliers and Jacobian. Multiple Integrals: Double and triple integrals.

Assessment: One 2.5-hour written examination (60%) together with coursework assessment (40%).

MATH1101. I.3 Linear algebra I (6 credits)

Matrices and Systems of Linear Equations. Determinant: Properties of determinant, Cramer’s rule, applications of determinant and computational considerations. Vector Spaces: subspaces, linear independence, span of a set of vectors, basis and dimension, change of basis, row space and column space of matrices. Linear Transformations: Properties of linear transformations, kernel of linear transformations, matrix representation, basis change and similarity, isomorphisms, linear functionals and dual spaces (optional).

Assessment: One 2.5-hour written examination (60%) together with coursework assessment (40%).

MATH1102. I.4 Linear algebra II (6 credits)

Inner Product Spaces: Inner products in R ⁿ, orthogonal subspaces, projection onto subspaces, orthonormal sets and orthonormal bases, self-adjoint operators, Gram-Schmidt orthogonalization process, least square problems and computational considerations. Eigenvalues: Eigenvalues, eigenvectors and invariant subspaces, Cayley-Hamilton theorem, systems of linear differential equations and the exponential e^At, diagonalization, hermitian and unitary matrices, normal matrices and the Jordan form. Positive Definite Matrices: Quadratic forms, positive definite and semi-definite matrices, Cholesky decomposition and applications.

Assessment: One 2.5-hour written examination (60%) together with coursework assessment (40%).

MATH0903. I.5 Basic mathematics (6 credits)

The course will be of interest to students who wish to acquire a mathematical background for studies in other subjects.

It covers: functions and graphs; calculus in one variable (additional topics in several variables if time permits): differentiation, integration, maxima and minima, Taylor’s series; linear algebra: matrices, and system of linear equations. These topics will be motivated through examples drawn from various applications areas. This course is open to students who do not have a pass in Pure Mathematics in the Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination or its equivalent.

Assessment: One 2.5-hour written examination (60%) together with coursework assessment (40%).

MUSIC

first year music majors and specialists

first year music specialists must take:

I.1 The language of music (3 credits)

I.3 Harmony and structure of music (6 credits)

I.4 Introduction to musics of the world (6 credits)

I.5 Introduction to music in western culture (6 credits)

I.6 Music technology (3 credits)

I.7 Music performance (3 credits)

and, if they make less than a passing grade on the music theory section of the Admissions Examination,

I.2 Basic music theory (3 credits)

first year music majors must take:

I.1 The language of music (3 credits)

I.3 Harmony and structure of music (6 credits)

I.4 Introduction to musics of the world (6 credits)

I.5 Introduction to music in western culture (6 credits)

I.7 Music performance (3 credits)

and, if they make less than a passing grade on the music theory section of the Admissions Examination,

I.2 Basic music theory (3 credits)

second and third year music majors and specialists

for second and third year music majors, the following papers are compulsory:

II/III.1 Analysis of western art musics

II/III.2 Analysis of orally transmitted music

II/III.3 Western music history 1

II/III.4 Western music history 2

II/III.5 Topics in Asian music history

II/III.6 Music of China

III.3 Musical scholarship

for second and third year music majors, the following papers are optional:

II.1 Performance 1

II.2 Performance practice 1

II/III.7 Composition 1

II/III.8 Composition 2

II/III.10 Computer and electronic music

II/III.11 Music in a commercial world

II/III.12 Popular music: from Cantopop to Techno

II/III.13 Music of contemporary Hong Kong

II/III.14 Love, sex and death in music of the modern world

II/III.15 Port cultures

III.1 Performance 2

III.2 Performance practice 2

III.4 Seminar 1

III.5 Seminar 2

III.6 Dissertation

non-music majors

non-music majors may choose from the following:

I.1 The language of music (3 credits)

I.4 Introduction to musics of the world (6 credits)

I.5 Introduction to music in western culture (6 credits)

I.6 Music technology (3 credits)

I.7 Music performance (3 credits)

II/III.6 Music of China

II/III.9 Understanding music

II/III.10 Computer and electronic music

II/III.11 Music in a commercial world

II/III.12 Popular music: from Cantopop to Techno

II/III.13 Music of contemporary Hong Kong

II/III.14 Love, sex and death in music of the modern world

II/III.15 Port cultures

Non-music majors may also choose any course or combination of courses with the approval of the Head of Department.

First Year

MUSI1001. I.1 The language of music (3 credits)

This course, which is open to all students, is an introduction to the main elements of music—melody, rhythm, harmony, texture, timbre and articulation—as they occur in popular music, world music, and Western classical music. Assessment will be on the basis of coursework (40%) and an examination (60%).

This is an Inter-Faculty course.

MUSI1002. I.2 Basic music theory (3 credits)

Students who make less than a passing grade on the music theory section of the Admissions Examination, and who wish to take MUSI1003. Harmony and structure of music in the second semester, must take this course. The acquisition of music literacy skills is taught partly by computer-assisted self-study.

MUSI1003. I.3 Harmony and structure of music (6 credits)

This course introduces students to the basics of functional harmony, voice-leading and counterpoint and the role that these and other elements of music play in articulating structure in both Western and non-Western music. The acquisition of music literacy skills is taught partly by computer-assisted self-study. Assessment will be on the basis of coursework (60%) and an examination (40%).

MUSI1004. I.4 Introduction to musics of the world (6 credits)

This course, which is open to all students, introduces a range of music from throughout the world and discusses issues raised by cross-cultural research. Practical performance in a Department ensemble and training in the use of the Music Library are included in the course. Assessment will be on the basis of coursework (40%) and an examination (60%).

MUSI1005. I.5 Introduction to music in western culture (6 credits)

This course, which is open to all students, focuses on a number of set musical works in order to explore the history of Western art music. The course emphasises familiarity with a selection of representative musical works through weekly listening assignments. Practical performance in a Department ensemble and training in the use of the Music Library are included in the course. Assessment will be on the basis of coursework (45%) and an examination (55%).

MUSI1006. I.6 Music technology (3 credits)

This course, which is open to all students, is a hands-on introduction to the use of music technology including music notation, sequencing, synthesizer techniques, CD-ROM interactive learning and music making. Technical methods of information access, especially in the Music Library, are introduced. Assessment will be on the basis of coursework (40%) and an examination (60%). This course fulfills the Information Technology requirement.

This is an Information Technology course.

MUSI1007. I.7 Music performance (3 credits)

This course, which is open to all students, focuses on musical performance. Students participate in weekly rehearsals by the Department’s performing ensembles – the Choral Workshop and Gamelan – over two semesters. Assessment is based on participation and a practical examination.

This is an Inter-Faculty course.

PHILOSOPHY

Studying philosophy is a training in thinking - critically, creatively and independently. It is one of the best preparations for professional work. Our graduates hold important positions in public life, in the commercial field, in education, and in many other areas.

Our syllabus enables you to take a small amount of philosophy (in any year of study without prerequisites), to combine philosophy equally with another Arts or Social Science discipline (as a double major) - something which most of our students have preferred - or, if you wish, to specialize in the subject. Students’ preferences have for many years helped us decide which courses to give, and, in the new curriculum, these preferences will be more significant than before in helping to determine which second and third year courses we offer each year.

Courses are given in the form of lectures, seminars and tutorials, and sometimes as ‘reading courses’. (A reading course consists of supervised reading and written work, with seminars, but no lectures. Any course may be given as a reading course if it is identified as such in the departmental Booklet, Choices in Philosophy, or if enrolments are insufficient to justify putting on a regular lecture course.) Particular importance is attached to tutorial work, including, in the second and third year, individual tuition. Students and teachers in our department have found individual tuition very valuable and rewarding, since we introduced it experimentally a decade ago: it is unique in Hong Kong, and rare in the world. It is a sociable way to study and develop reasoning and communicative skills.

What should be distinctive and important in a university education is developing the ability in students to take responsibility for their own work: our syllabus and our approach to teaching is guided by this principle.

Our department is also known, world-wide, for the pioneering role it has had over the last two decades in exploiting some advantages of information technology as a new instrument in learning. Of course, I.T. is not a substitute for thought or more traditional forms of learning. But, properly used, it facilitates our work, as well as helping to develop skills which can be useful more generally.

In line with the University’s desire to promote ‘self-learning’ and give students more time for this, the department has reduced lecture hours in all courses. Courses will now normally consist of nine weeks of lectures (commonly grouped into three sessions of two, three and four weeks, the sessions being separated by self-study periods). Tutorials will be spread over the whole semester.

Our courses are divided into three levels and four groups. The three levels correspond to the three years of study for an undergraduate degree. But it is open to students in any Faculty to take, for instance, a first level philosophy course in any year of study (provided that the regulations of their own degree programme permit it). The four groups are rough indications of courses related to each other in subject-matter, though not necessarily in approach. The four first-level courses correspond to the four groupings of higher-level courses. Two of the first-level courses satisfy the University’s first year information technology requirement; the department will attempt to provide appropriate assistance to students in acquiring these skills where necessary.

FIRST LEVEL

The Department offers four introductory courses in philosophy. There are no prerequisites. All these courses will normally be given every year.

PHIL1001. Knowledge of the world: an introduction to philosophy (6 credits)

Children are curious. They constantly ask ‘Why?’ or ‘What?’ or ‘How?’ The desire of human beings to improve their knowledge takes many forms, and raises many questions. This course will explore such questions, to investigate how reason and experience contribute to our understanding of the world and ourselves.

This course involves some use of information technology, including electronic mail, word-processing and the World-Wide Web.

Assessment:	one two-hour written examination (60% weighting); coursework (40% weighting); demonstrated use of I.T.
Exemption:	Passing this course fulfils the University’s first year I.T. requirement.

PHIL1002. The human mind: an introduction to philosophy (6 credits)

The course deals with philosophical problems about the mind, including questions about consciousness, thinking, feeling, believing and dreaming. We shall look at such problems as: Are human minds physical objects? Is it possible to build a computer that thinks?

This course involves some use of information technology, including electronic mail, word-processing and the World-Wide Web.

Assessment:	one two-hour written examination (50% weighting); coursework (50% weighting); demonstrated use of I.T.
Exemption:	Passing this course fulfils the University’s first year I.T. requirement.

PHIL1003. Ethics and politics: an introduction to philosophy (6 credits)

The course aims to provide a general introduction to moral and political philosophy. We shall discuss such topics as justice, Confucianism, human rights, democracy, Marxism, feminism, and the liberal-communitarian debate.

Assessment:

one two-hour written examination (50% weighting); coursework (50% weighting)

PHIL1004. Chinese and western thought: an introduction to philosophy (6 credits)

The course compares central themes in the philosophical dialogues of the Chinese and Western traditions. Topics may include Confucian intuition, Daoist paradox, Greek rationalism, British Empiricism, Existentialism, Pragmatism, Maoism, Zen Buddhism, and positivism.

Assessment:

one two-hour written examination (50% weighting); coursework (50% weighting)

ALL LEVELS

These courses are useful for students in any discipline in any year of study. The importance of developing one’s ability to think critically and logically is clear. Both these courses will normally be available every year.

PHIL1005. Critical thinking and logic (6 credits)

In this course, we look at common mistakes in reasoning, learn how to evaluate arguments and think in a more precise and systematic manner. We shall also study basic formal logic such as propositional and predicate logic.

Assessment:

one two-hour written examination (50% weighting); coursework (50% weighting)

Available as a broadening course to students of any faculty. Enrolment limits may be imposed.

PHIL1006. Elementary logic (3 credits)

This course introduces elementary logic. There are no lectures or tutorials. The course requires use of a computer package developed in the department of philosophy.

Assessment:	one 45 minute written examination
Exemption:	Students passing this course are exempt from the University’s I.T. requirement

Available as a broadening course to students of any faculty.

(note: this course will be offered only to first-year students in 1998-99)

PHYSICS

The Department of Physics offers the following courses to first-year students.

PHYS0003. Nature of the universe (6 credits)

This course is specially designed as an elective for students in all disciplines and is aimed at developing an awareness of the underlying physical aspects of the universe in which we find ourselves. The course is available to students of all years. Focusing particularly on astronomy, it will also provide students with a more profound understanding of the nature of energy, matter and space. It also equips them with a modern view of the structure and dynamic behaviour of the universe. Students are expected to participate actively in the night sky observations and field trips as well.

The course consists of 48 hours of lectures, demonstration classes and tutorials.

Assessment:

One 1-hour written examination for each semester (50% weighting) together with course work, field trips, laboratory work, and night sky observations (50% weighting).

This course will be offered in the first and second semesters.

PHYS0001. Introduction to observational astronomy and the solar system (3 credits)

This general education course is designed as an elective for students in all disciplines. No prior knowledge in astronomy, physics, and higher mathematics is required. This course is available to students of all years.

The course focuses on the observational aspect of astronomy (including constellations and planets) and the physics of our solar system. It will also provide students with a basic understanding of the relationship of astronomy in our daily life. Students are expected to participate actively in the night sky observations and field trips.

Assessment:

One 1-hour written examination (50% weighting) together with course work, field trips, laboratory work, and night sky observations (50% weighting).

This course will be offered in the first semester.

PHYS0002. Stars, galaxies and cosmology for beginners (3 credits)

This general education course is designed as an elective for students in all disciplines. It focuses on the theoretical aspect of astronomy. This course is available to students of all years.

Topics covered include our own Sun, stars and their evolution, galaxies, blackholes, and cosmology. It will also provide students with a basic understanding of how our nature works in the macroscopic level. No prior knowledge in astronomy, physics, and higher mathematics is required.

Assessment:

One 1-hour written examination (50% weighting) together with course work, field trips, laboratory work, and night sky observations (50% weighting).

This course will be offered in the second semester.

POLITICS AND PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION

First Year

There is no departmental prerequisite for admission to the first-year course in Politics and Public Administration, but satisfactory completion of that course is normally a prerequisite for admission to second- and third-year courses. In the first year Politics and Public Administration offers two courses. This lasts for one term and may be taken either in the first half of the academic year or the second half, at the same time as Social Science students.

The examination will consist of one two-hour paper. The final grading will be determined by performance in the examination and an assessment of coursework in the proportion 70:30.

Second and Third Years

Students taking the equivalent of eight 6-credit courses in Philosophy or American Studies may select up to eight courses, subject to the approval of the Head of Department and the completion of the specified prerequisites. All other students may select up to five courses, again subject to the approval of the Head of Department and the completion of specified prerequisites.

Not all the courses listed will necessarily be offered every year. Subject to availability, all courses may be taken in either year, except where a prerequisite is specified which must be taken in the second year.

Syllabuses

First-year Courses

Introduction to political science or Fundamentals of public administration is normally a prerequisite for all second- or third-year units.

POLI1001. Introduction to political science (6 credits)

This is a basic unit which is intended to give students an introduction to the concepts, methods and some of the problems involved in the study of political science.

POLI1002. Fundamentals of public administration (6 credits)

This is a basic course which introduces students to the fundamental concepts and issues in public administration, focusing on the scope of the subject and the relationship between public administration and politics.

PSYCHOLOGY

1.	The selection of courses and special topics in psychology available in a particular year is subject to the approval of the Head of the Department. A candidate taking the equivalent of eight 6-credit courses in psychology must include 6 courses as listed in Category A. The courses are set out below: Category A - 6 basic core courses Cognitive psychology Life-span developmental psychology or Biological psychology^* Psychology of personality or Fundamentals of social psychology^* Research methods in psychology I History and issues in psychology Thesis in psychology Category B - all other courses
2.	PSYC1001 is a prerequisite for all second- and third-year courses, additional prerequisites are also specified in some cases. In exceptional cases these may be waived by the Head of the Department.
3.	In addition to class sessions, each course may include a practical element on which a candidate may expect to spend about two hours per week.
4.	Assessment: 40% coursework, 60% examination, unless otherwise specified.

^* Students may take both of these courses but only one may count as a core course.

First-year Course

PSYC1001. A1. Introduction to psychology (6 credits)

Discussion of basic concepts in psychology and a preliminary survey of representative work carried out in various areas of psychological investigation, together with an investigation at some length of one such area.

Assessment will be based on coursework (25%) and a final examination (75%).

SOCIAL WORK AND SOCIAL ADMINISTRATION

First-year Course

SOWK1001. Introduction to social administration (6 credits)

This course introduces basic concepts in social administration. The range and variety of social services in Hong Kong, such as education, medical and health, housing, labour and social welfare, will be critically discussed.

Assessment: 40% coursework, 60% examination.

SOCIOLOGY

he Sociology Department offers three courses to first-year BA students.

The courses are Introduction to sociology, Introduction to anthropology and Discovering society. The examination will consist of one two-hour paper. Normally only students who have taken Introduction to sociology or Introduction to anthropology or Discovering society in their first year will be allowed to take Sociology courses in their second and third years. In exceptional cases this may be waived by the Head of the Department.

In their second and third years, students may take up to the equivalent of five 6-credit courses in Sociology in combination with courses from the Departments of Chinese, Comparative Literature, English, Fine Arts, Geography and Geology, History, Music, Japanese Studies and Linguistics and European Studies Programme; and up to the equivalent of eight 6-credit courses in Sociology in combination with courses from the Department of Philosophy and American Studies Programme.

Some of the Sociology courses are offered in the first half of the academic year, and others in the second half. The examination for each course will consist of one two-hour paper.

The final result for each course will be determined by a coursework assessment grade (25%) and an examination grade (75%), except where otherwise specified.

First-year Courses

SOCI1001. Introduction to sociology (6 credits)

This course introduces students to the nature of sociological enquiry and the basic concepts used in sociological analysis. After some reference to the influence of inheritance and environment on human social behaviour, the course will focus on key concepts used in the analysis of cultures, social structures, social processes and social change. The relationship between research, concepts and contemporary theory will be explored at an introductory level.

SOCI1002. Discovering society (6 credits)

This course introduces students to the sociological way of thinking through reference mainly to Chinese societies such as Hong Kong, Mainland China, and overseas Chinese communities.

SOCI1003. Introduction to anthropology (6 credits)

This course will explore, through cross-cultural comparison, key social and cultural issues, such as marriage and the family, caste and class, ethnicity and identity, language and culture, state formation, economic values, gender and religion. The course will draw on studies of the peoples and cultures of Asia.

Assessment: 40% coursework, 60% examination.

STATISTICS AND ACTUARIAL SCIENCE

The Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science offers two courses for students who have not studied Statistics before. One, STAT1003, is for students with a good mathematics background. The other, STAT1001, is designed for students without a mathematics background. Both courses are concerned with the basic ideas and methods of statistical analysis.

Students wishing to acquire a deeper knowledge of Statistics may take other courses subject to the limits imposed by Regulation A11(c) of the Arts Faculty.

The final grading in all courses will be assessed by a combination of examination and coursework. The proportion is 75:25, except when another ratio is specifically mentioned in the course description.

All courses are examined at the end of the semester in which they are taken. The examination for each course consists of one two-hour written paper, with the exception that courses 17238, 17224 and 17262 each has a three-hour examination.

Introductory Courses

STAT1001. Elementary statistical methods (6 credits)

The discipline of statistics is concerned with situations involving uncertainty and variability. Variability greatly affects the interpretation of data. Thus, statistics forms an important descriptive and analytical tool for all investigative work. This elementary course, which is taught without any technical mathematics, presents many standard situations of data interpretation. The statistical tests for these situations are presented.

Eligibility:

Not available to students with a pass in Advanced Level Pure Mathematics. Students who have taken 24117 Basic mathematics or Advanced Supplementary Level Mathematics and Statistics are eligible for this course, but are advised that STAT1003 may be a more suitable choice because it leads to a wider choice of options in later years.

STAT1003. Introductory statistics (6 credits)

The discipline of statistics is concerned with situations involving uncertainty and variability. The interpretation of data is greatly affected when variability plays a role, as it usually does. Thus statistics forms an important descriptive and analytical tool for all investigative work. Candidates with a mathematical background will find this course suitable, because the language of mathematics allows the subject of statistics to be presented with economy and clarity.

Prerequisite:	Either Advanced Level Pure Mathematics or Advanced Supplementary Level Mathematics and Statistics or 24117 Basic mathematics. Students without these qualifications, but with Grade C or better in Advanced Level Physics are deemed to have sufficient mathematical training.