Bachelor of Social Sciences (Honours) in Sociology and Bachelor of Education (Honours) in Personal, Social and Humanities Education Teaching

This is a five-year full-time Double Degree programme. It will provide students with knowledge and skills in the academic discipline of Sociology and a recognized teaching qualification for teaching of the Personal, Social and Humanities Education (PSHE) Key Learning Area in schools. Graduates from the programme will be well prepared for teaching but will also be able to enter other careers such as business, personnel management and the civil service.

AIMS OF THE PROGRAMME

The aims of the Bachelor of Social Sciences (Honours) in Sociology are:

  1. To illuminate the complex patterns of relationships among individuals, groups, and larger social structures in a cross-cultural perspective;
  2. To enhance the understanding of continuities and changes at the local, regional and global levels;
  3. To provide a comprehensive and integrated understanding of Chinese cultures and societies;
  4. To enable students to appreciate the complexities of Hong Kong society in all its manifestations;
  5. To cultivate abilities and creativity in independent research and theoretical investigation;
  6. To develop critical thinking skills adequate for academic inquiry and everyday problem-solving;
  7. To enable students to acquire and apply such transferable practical skills as problem identification, argument formulation, evidence gathering, analytical logic, teamwork, information technology and communication ability suitable for a wide variety of professional careers in civil service, social service, education and business sectors;
  8. To encourage an enthusiasm for life-long learning which in some instances will lead to postgraduate studies;
  9. To train students to appreciate and respect human diversity, and recognize the significance of cultural and social differences; and
  10. To enable students to conduct and complete a research project independently.

The aims of the Bachelor of Education (Honours) in Personal, Social and Humanities Education Teaching are:

  1. To develop in students personal qualities that support teachers’ daily work and professional development. These personal qualities include interpersonal effectiveness, creativity, self-understanding, as well as the motivation and the readiness for self-reflection and self-improvement;
  2. To develop in students a functional knowledge of disciplines which informs educational practices. A functional knowledge of discipline means a basic knowledge of psychology, sociology and philosophy that is essential for understanding the aims and the processes of education;
  3. To develop in students a subject specialisation in schools. This expertise consists of effective strategies for planning, conducting and evaluating PSHE teaching; and
  4. To develop in students knowledge essential for effective functioning within the teaching profession and the wider education context. This knowledge encompasses issues on teacher professionalism, educational organisation and management, as well as policy practices.

PROGRAMME INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES (PILOs)

Upon completion of the Sociology programme, students should be able to:

  1. Recognize and explain the complexities of human cultures and societies
  2. Describe and explain the patterns of relationships among individuals, groups and larger social structures, in a cross-cultural perspective
  3. Analyze the dynamic interactions of various institutions of society as they affect and are affected by social change
  4. Formulate sociologically informed questions and construct reasoned arguments
    to solve problems based on valid and reliable evidence collected with appropriate methodologies
  5. Work effectively as part of a team, or independently, to make well-organized presentations and produce quality research papers in sociology
  6. Recognize and respect the ethics of social research
  7. Be active in pursuing knowledge and acquire skills to pursue life-long learning

Upon completion of the EDUC programme, students should be able to:

  1. Develop a functional knowledge of psychology, sociology and philosophy that are essential for understanding of the aims and processes of education
  2. Develop a foundation for pedagogical content knowledge for effective PSHE teaching
  3. Develop an essential knowledge for effective functioning within the teaching profession
  4. Acquire effective strategies for planning, conducting and evaluating PSHE teaching
  5. Enhance generic skills to support daily work and professional development
  6. Demonstrate a reflective and sensitive mind in educational practices and social issues to uphold professional integrity and engage in life-long learning

STRUCTURE OF THE PROGRAMME

The programme is comprised of Sociology courses, Education courses, an Honours Project, General Education courses, and Elective courses. The total credit unit is 167-unit.

The structure of the curriculum is as follows:

Social Sciences Common Core4 units
Sociology course54 units
Education courses51 units
Honours Project6 units
University Core Courses13 units
General Education Courses18 units
Free Electives21 units
 Total:167 units

The 54 Education credits units are divided into three categories:

EDUC courses*UnitsExamples (course title)
Required
(15 courses)
33
  • Introduction to Educational Psychology
  • Instructional and Assessment Strategies for Liberal Studies and PSHE
  • Teaching Life and Society in Secondary Schools
  • Citizenship Education in Schools
  • Classroom Communication and Management
  • Inclusive Education and Special Educational Needs
Elective
(5 courses)
10
  • School Guidance
  • Teaching General Studies to Young Learners
Integrated Practicum
(3 periods)
11
  • School Experience
  • Supervised Teaching Practice I
  • Supervised Teaching Practice II

* 3 units of the Integrated Practicum will be counted towards the Social Sciences Common Core.

For details of the BSocSc in Sociology (Hon), please refer to the web site of the Department of Sociology at http://socweb.hkbu.edu.hk/

PROGRAMME DELIVERY

Most courses are taught by a combination of lecture-discussion and seminars. On-site supervision and peer observation are included in different aspects of the Field Practice.

During the fifth year of study, students complete their honours projects under the guidance of the Department of Sociology.

Students may be required to attend late afternoon classes and Saturday morning classes.

Normally students should complete the programme in five calendar years.

FIELD PRACTICE

Field Practice is an essential element of the Programme. It consists of two components: School Experience (SE) and Supervised Teaching Practice (STP). School Experience lasts for 3 to 4 weeks, with the aim to introduce student-teachers to teaching in a school context and the roles of a teacher in schools. Students learn through observation, reflection, participation in school activities and classroom teaching. Supervised Teaching Practice takes places in two semesters during the last two years of study. Each STP lasts for 6-8 weeks and provides opportunity for student-teachers to integrate theories of education and teaching methodology with practice. To encourage constructive collegial exchange of pedagogic ideas, the host school will appoint a School Mentor to advise the student-teacher during Field Practice.

During SE and STP, students will be visited by supervisors from the Department of Education Studies. Requirements for SE and STP and details of assessment are to be provided in separate handbooks, which will be given to students before SE and STP commence.

Satisfactory completion of School Experience and Supervised Teaching Practice I & II is required for graduation from the Bachelor of Social Sciences (Honours) in Sociology and Bachelor of Education (Honours) in Personal, Social and Humanities Education Teaching programme.

CAREER PROSPECTS

The Programme will provide high quality preparation for teaching and teaching-related careers. Graduates will be equipped with a range of skills that will enable them to contribute effectively and flexibly to the changing needs of Hong Kong in the 21st century.