The Liberal Art University in Hong Kong
Print Friendly | Text size: Decrease font Default font Increase font

Overview (3-year Curriculum)

Social Sciences Programmes at Lingnan University include undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.  Courses are mainly offered by Department of Economics, Department of Political Science, Department of Sociology and Social Policy and other relevant departments in Lingnan. 

The Bachelor of Social Sciences (Honours) Programme is an inter-disciplinary degree programme incorporating the four major cognate disciplines of social sciences (viz. economics, politics, sociology and psychology) to study local, regional and global affairs from a China-cum-Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) perspective.  The interdisciplinary nature of the Programme allows students to expose in some depth to the four disciplines of economics, political science, psychology and sociology, it is also structured around five streams of study that have intellectual foci which broaden and integrate the disciplinary and geographical horizons of the students.  The five streams are (1) Behavioural Science in Modern Society (BSMS), (2) China and Asian Pacific Affairs (CAPA), (3) Contemporary Economic and Public Policy (CEPP), (4) Contemporary Social Issues and Policy (CSIP) and (5) International Studies (IS).  The interdisciplinary structure of the programme of studies represents a significant development in Hong Kong tertiary institutions.  It prepares students to cope with the emerging intellectual and market demands for an integrated social science approach to study public and economic affairs. 

First Year

The degree programme structure is divided into three major stages.  The initial stage, which covers the entire first year, comprises a common set of five foundation courses which students are required to take.  These course impart a sound knowledge in the cognate social sciences disciplines and comprise a series of introductory courses in the cognate disciplines of social sciences (economics, politics, psychology and sociology). These provide students with the pre-requisite knowledge for taking higher-level courses, many of which require the combined input of the four major disciplines.

Second Year

The second year is one in which students deepen their knowledge of the cognate social science disciplines. Students need to select one stream out of the above five streams, in which the three stream required courses prepare students for more advance electives.  Courses in the second year enhance specialization in different disciplines, areas and issues. 

The Five Streams of Study

All streams are multi-disciplinary in character.  These five streams are, therefore, not only interrelated and complementary to one another, but also sufficiently differentiated to allow students considerable flexibility in their study plans.

(1)   Behavioural Science in Modern Society (BSMS)

    1. Provides a comprehensive and holistic study of human behaviour in modern society
    2. Provides an inter-disciplinary study of human behaviour
    3. Introduces positive psychology approaches that aim to study, and contribute to, human strengths and virtues.

(2)   China Asian Pacific Affairs (CAPA)

    1. Studies the economics, politics, and societies of the Asian-Pacific region
    2. Focuses on China and its economic and political roles
    3. Explains the relationship between the Asian-Pacific region and global trends

(3)   Contemporary Economic and Public Policy (CEPP)

    1. Focuses on the development of Hong Kong
    2. Applies economic tools to analyze various topical issues, such as unemployment, education, health and competition policy
    3. Assesses the implications of alternative policy options and tell facts from fiction in policy debates

(4)   Contemporary Social Issues and Policy (CSIP)

    1. Focuses on Hong Kong and the Asian-Pacific region
    2. Adopts contemporary social issues and policy approaches in response to social and other changes such as population ageing and family
    3. Studies and analyses social and policy contexts

(5)   International Studies (IS)

    1. CombinesCombines international politics and economics to understand global issues
    2. Studies the functions and roles of international organizations
    3. Shows how global dynamics shape the development of a fast-changing international system

In addition, students may opt for one of the following Discipline Concentration (DC):

Economics
Political Science
Psychology
Sociology

The DC complements the stream of study and enhances students’ theoretical training in the respective discipline, which heightens their theoretical and analytical capabilities in understanding thematic focus of the streams.

Third Year

In the third year, students will have the opportunity to undertake an optional Senior Thesis.  The Senior Thesis is an independent research project which allows students to choose a research topic and work on a one-to-one basis with a specialized staff. Upon completion of the Senior Thesis, students will be equipped with research skills and techniques which are essential for further study.  In addition, the Programme is enriched with training in Chinese and English languages and general education, to provide students with logical and critical thinking, cultural and historical awareness and language competence.

Minor Programmes

In addition to the Major Programme, a student may register for one Minor Programme. The following Minor Programmes are being coordinated by the Social Sciences Programme. You may refer http://www.ln.edu.hk/reg/info/study/minor.pdf for other Minor Programmes in Lingnan.

(1) Behavioural Science

(2) China's Regional Development

(3) Economics

(4) Environmental Studies

(5) Global Studies

(6) Political Science

(7) Public Policy

(7) Sociology