Postgraduate Courses
MASS
Social Science (MA Program)
Courses marked with a [C] in the course description are not taught in Chinese but may require students to read materials in Chinese. Students who have difficulty reading materials in Chinese should consult the instructor concerned prior to enrolling in these courses.
- MASS 5010Research Methods in Social Science[3-0-0:3]Previous Course Code(s)SSMA 5010Exclusion(s)SOSC 5110DescriptionThis is an introduction to research methodology in the social science. It is intended to provide foundational training in the major approaches in the social sciences to the collection and analysis of quantitative and qualitative data, and the specification and testing of theories. The course overs the logic of scientific inquiry and various research techniques such as experimentation, scientific sampling, survey research, field methods, archival data, and quantitative analysis that are commonly used by researchers in economics, education, political science, psychology, and sociology.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.The relationship between theory, hypothesis, data collection, and analysis in the pursuit of social science knowledge.
- 2.The basic features of an experimental design, and the distinction between an experiment and an observational study.
- 3.The criteria for claiming that an observed relationship is causal.
- 4.The ethical issues that commonly arise in the course of conducting social science research.
- 5.Commonly used techniques for assessing whether observed relationships reflect causal influences
- 6.Basic techniques for approximating an experimental design with analysis of observational data, including natural experiments, instrumental variables, and the inclusion of control variables.
- MASS 5020Social Statistics I[2-1-0:3]Previous Course Code(s)SSMA 5020Co-list withMGCS 5010Exclusion(s)MGCS 5010, SOSC 4610, SOSC 5090DescriptionThis course teaches basic concepts and skills required to conduct quantitative research in social science. Students will learn to design and conduct statistical analyses to test hypotheses. They will acquire experience in the use of statistical software to carry out analysis of social data.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Characterize major tools for descriptive statistics.
- 2.Explain principal ideas of statistical inference.
- 3.Explain basic univariate analysis and analyze tie relationship between two variables.
- MASS 5030Social Stratification and Mobility[3-0-0:3]Previous Course Code(s)SSMA 5030Exclusion(s)MGCS 5020DescriptionThis course introduces the concepts and theories in analyzing the pattern of social and economic inequalities in the distribution of resources/rewards/opportunities which are scarce but widely desired, and the process of status attainment or social mobility.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Illustrate major concepts from analytical perspectives sociologists employ to study social inequality and stratification.
- 2.Analyze the major empirical findings on social inequality and mobility in mainland China and Hong Kong.
- 3.Apply the knowledge to analyze new issues related to social inequality in both mainland China and Hong Kong.
- MASS 5050Economic Transformations in Post-Mao China[3-0-0:3]Previous Course Code(s)SSMA 5050DescriptionThis course offers a comprehensive account of the transformations in the economic institution of China since the late 1970s.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Critique major works on China’s political economy
- 2.Develop theoretically informed and empirically grounded research papers on important issues in China’s economic transformation.
- MASS 5060Political Changes and Political Participation[3-0-0:3]Previous Course Code(s)SSMA 5060Exclusion(s)MGCS 5021, SOSC 5480DescriptionThis course introduces to students basic theories about political changes, such as democratization and reform, or their absence. It also discusses the dynamics of such political changes by examining the interactions among different social forces and political actors, including citizens.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Explain the theories on social changes, including reform.
- 2.Analyze the dynamics of social and political changes in different political systems.
- 3.Identify the problems faced by authoritarian regimes, like China, in managing social changes.
- MASS 5110Social Statistics II[2-1-0:3]Previous Course Code(s)SSMA 5110Prerequisite(s)MGCS 5010 OR MASS 5020Exclusion(s)MGCS 5011 (Prior to 2019-20)DescriptionThis course provides students with hands-on training on how to use statistical software to analyze non-experimental quantitative data from the real world, to draw sensible conclusions, to convey results, and write a research report.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Concretely explain theoretical foundations of modern regression analysis.
- 2.Conduct applied regression analysis using statistical software.
- 3.Write academic research paper with a quantitative orientation.
- 4.Build up a broader scope for regression analysis in light of further study.
- MASS 5170Economic Change in Rural China[3-0-0:3]Previous Course Code(s)SSMA 5170Exclusion(s)SOSC 5420 (prior to 2017-18)DescriptionThis course is designed to study the development processes of rural China from around the mid-eighteenth century onwards until the present time from primarily (but not exclusively) an economics perspective. In addition to serving the purpose of a survey course, special efforts are made to provide intelligible answers to a number of important issues and puzzles - some of epic proportions - using analytical frameworks in economics.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Explain the substantive knowledge of China’s rural development process, including the difficulties it faced from the late Qing to the present.
- 2.Develop analytical skills with which to make intelligible sense of this development process. (Upon passing the course, students are expected to have acquired some skills in understanding the relationship between “variables” in the specific context of rural China, which consists of a number of episodes of salient historical importance.)
- MASS 5180Migration and Globalization[3-0-0:3]Previous Course Code(s)SSMA 5180Exclusion(s)SOSC 5660 (prior to 2023-24)DescriptionThis course aims to explore the interrelationship between population changes/ migration and economic development in the era of globalization. Special attention is given to labor migration in China and international migration in China/HKSAR.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Conduct simple demographic analyses, such as population forecast, as well as tempo and international comparison of levels of fertility or mortality.
- 2.Apply models and theories of migration to labor migration in and from developing countries, and transnational human capital transfer.
- 3.Conduct research of social science topics with PowerPoint presentation.
- MASS 5200Comparative Politics[3-0-0:3]Previous Course Code(s)SSMA 5200Exclusion(s)MGCS 5520DescriptionThis is a comparative politics course targeting toward advanced postgraduate students. With its long history, comparative politics has covered many different topics. The course will focus on important substantive questions to understand political phenomena around the world. The course consists of five broad and complex topics related to politics: i) basic logic and methodologies in comparative politics; ii) state formation and regime types; iii) election and government system; iv) policy-related issues including economic development and redistribution; and v) challenges in comparative political economy including poverty, foreign aid, natural resources, civil war and political connection/corruption.
- MASS 5210Economic Development[3-0-0:3]Previous Course Code(s)SSMA 5210Exclusion(s)SOSC 6030IDescriptionThis course examines the economic situations of low and middle-income economies, considering many important topics in the field of development economics. It addresses questions such as what factors help explain why some countries are rich and others poor and whether economic policies can affect these factors. We will study key aspects of life for poor households in the developing world, such as inequality, gender and the intra-household division of resources, education, health, savings and credit, institutions and globalization. Students will also study recent research in the field and examine empirical evidence on these topics.
- MASS 5230Chinese Politics[3-0-0:3]DescriptionThis course examines Chinese political system and its impact in people's everyday activities. As one of the most influential countries in the world, the Chinese political system carries distinctive characteristics that differ significantly from Western liberal democracies. This course will compare the similarities and differences between China and liberal democracy. Students will learn the classical theories and concepts developed in Western political science and explore how they can and cannot be applied to China.
- MASS 5240Topics in Gender and Society[3-0-0:3]DescriptionA sociologically informed discussion about the role that gender plays in the organization of social life, including education, work and employment, the global economy, technology and innovation, media, family life and international relations.
- MASS 5250The Rise and Fall of Democracy[3-0-0:3]DescriptionThis course examines various approaches to study the rise and fall of democracy in disciplines of political economy, political science, political sociology, and historical sociology. It pays special attention to specific historical or political context in which democratization or collapse of democracy occurred. This course also encourages the students to integrate normative understanding of democracy with positivist studies of democracy.
- MASS 5980Understanding Personality[3-0-0:3]Previous Course Code(s)MASS 5090, SSMA 5090DescriptionThis course provides an overview of theories of personality and examines how personality develops through different perspectives.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Examine with the key classical and contemporary studies pertinent to personality theories and assessment.
- 2.Explain, relate, and apply the key concepts in everyday life.
- 3.Identify a research question, devise an action plan to conduct a study, gather and analyze the pertinent information, and present the findings in a written report.
- 4.Conceptualize, structure, and articulate original ideas about personality-related topics.
- MASS 5981Environment and Human Behavior[3-0-0:3]Previous Course Code(s)MASS 5220, SSMA 5220DescriptionThis course examines the interactions between humans and physical environments from a psychological perspective. It discusses how human behavior is affected by, and affects, their natural and built surroundings. It also explores the human dimension of environmental issues.
- MASS 5982Social Cognition[3-0-0:3]Previous Course Code(s)MASS 5040, SSMA 5040DescriptionThis course introduces a psychological perspective in understanding human behavior. It evaluates how psychological research is conducted, and covers major psychological concepts and theories.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Describe a fundamental knowledge of key theories and concepts in understanding human behavior from a psychological perspective.
- 2.Apply the theories and concepts to their own experiences and daily lives.
- 3.Explain how psychological research is conducted and how psychologists investigate human behavior scientifically.
- 4.Develop appreciation of the scientific basis of psychology.
- MASS 5983Psychology of Well-being[3-0-0:3]DescriptionThis course examines the psychology of well-being in the Chinese context. Students will be engaged in a series of challenges designed to enhance their understanding of well-being, to increase their happiness, and to bring about positive changes in their lives.
- MASS 6000Developing a Career in Social Science[0 credit]Reading Material[C] Require Chinese readingDescriptionThis is a portfolio-based course. Upon completion of this course, students are required to submit a written reflection about their own career plans, in relation to the content of the PGD/MA(SOSC) program. The reflection is carried out by means of collating a portfolio and will include specific reference to the content of seminars and events that have taken place during their program. For PGD/MA(SOSC) students only. Graded P or F.
