Master of Social Sciences (Contemporary China Studies)
Programme Director: Dr PENG, Yinni
The Master of Social Sciences (Contemporary China Studies) is a multidisciplinary postgraduate coursework degree programme designed to meet the professional and practical needs of employees of government, non-profit organisations and private companies, as well as the educational needs of those new university graduates including local and international students who want to pursue postgraduate work in China studies or related fields. It may be pursued either as an end in itself or in preparation for further studies. The curriculum is designed to accomplish the following objectives:
- To provide students with a critical understanding of contemporary China from political, historical, economic, geographical and sociological perspectives;
- To sharpen students’ awareness of the complex relationships of historical, economic, geographical, political and sociological factors in China through a multi-disciplinary approach; and
- To enhance students’ understanding of the processes of change which will shape the future relation between Hong Kong, the rest of China and the world.
Most courses are taught by a combination of lecture-discussions and seminars held on weekday evenings and/or Saturday mornings. Students can conduct independent projects under the guidance of their supervisors.
The structure of the curriculum is as follows:
| I) | Required Courses | 3 units |
| II) | Concentration/Field and Elective Courses | 24 units |
| 27 units |
Requirements
In order to graduate, students must complete 27 units, including one required course, at least three courses from one Concentration/Field and five elective courses within the duration of the programme, and obtain:
- Grade C- or above in all courses, and
- A cumulative GPA of 2.50 or above.
| I. | Required Courses | 3 units |
| POLS7010 Advanced China Studies | 3 units | |
| II. | Concentration/Field and Elective Courses | 24 units |
| SOSC7510 Project | 3 units | |
| SOSC7520 Introduction to Academic, Policy, and Business Research Writing | 3 units | |
| Economic Development and Reform | ||
| ECON7310 Economic Institutions in China* | 3 units | |
| ECON7320 Public Finance and Monetary Economics in China* | 3 units | |
| ECON7340 Productivity Analysis of the Chinese Economy* | 3 units | |
| ECON7510 China's Economic Development and Reform** | 3 units | |
| ECON7520 China's Foreign Trade and Investment** | 3 units | |
| ECON7540 Graduate Workshops on China's Economy** | 3 units | |
| ECON7550 Financial Markets and Corporate Governance in China** | 3 units | |
| History and Culture | ||
| HIST7510 South China Studies | 3 units | |
| HIST7520 Chinese Culture in Transformation | 3 units | |
| HIST7530 Graduate Seminar on Contemporary Chinese History | 3 units | |
| HIST7540 Contemporary Chinese Political Thought* | 3 units | |
| HIST7550 History of Taiwan* | 3 units | |
| HIST7570 China and Asia since 1900* | 3 units | |
| Society and Community | ||
| SOC 7510 Social Networks in the Contemporary Chinese Society** | 3 units | |
| SOC 7530 Graduate Seminar on Contemporary Social Issues in China** | 3 units | |
| SOC 7540 Chinese Social Demography** | 3 units | |
| SOC 7560 Sociological Issues in Urban and Rural Development* | 3 units | |
| SOC 7570 Chinese Family and Kinship* | 3 units | |
| SOC 7580 Gender in Contemporary China* | 3 units | |
| SOC 7590 Popular Culture and Society in Contemporary China** | 3 units | |
| Urban Development and Environmental Management | ||
| GEOG7510 Resource and Environmental Management in China | 3 units | |
| GEOG7520 Urban and Regional Development of China | 3 units | |
| GEOG7530 Graduate Seminar on Geography of China | 3 units | |
| GEOG7540 Sustainable Energy and Technological Innovation in China* | 3 units | |
| GEOG7560 Rural and Agricultural Development in China* | 3 units | |
| GEOG7570 Urban Development in China* | 3 units | |
| 27 units |
Normally, one-year full-time students should complete the programme in one calendar year while two-year part-time students in two calendar years. With special permission a student may extend his or her study by one year.
* One to three from this group of courses will be offered by each Concentration/Field every year. Students can take no more than two courses from this group of elective courses, which are usually joint-class courses.
** Two of the four courses in respective Concentration will be offered alternatively every year.
