Department of Social SciencesDepartment of Social Sciences

Suspension of IT Services
from 20 to 21 October 2023
(Power Inspection)

Universities of Applied Sciences

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Message from Head

Department of Social Sciences About Message from Head

Welcome to the Department of Social Sciences! The Department of Social Sciences is dedicated to fostering profound theoretical and practical knowledge, professional training, and global awareness among students. It is unwavering in its commitment to providing comprehensive opportunities for their holistic development and cultivating professionals in related fields. At present, it offers two full-time undergraduate programmes encompassing various streams. The Bachelor of Social Sciences with Honours encompasses five Streams (majors): Ageing Society and Services Studies, Applied Economics, Applied Social Studies, Global and China Studies, and Politics and Public Administration. The Bachelor of Social Sciences with Honours in Psychology comprises two Streams (majors): Psychology, and Counselling Psychology. Additionally, the Department collaboratively offers a double undergraduate degree programme, known as Bachelor of Applied Psychology with Honours, Bachelor of Business Management with Honours, in association with the Lee Shau Kee School of Business and Administration. It also presents five distance learning (part-time) undergraduate programme suites in the fields of Economics, Law Enforcement and Security Management, Public Administration, Psychology Studies, and Social Sciences. Furthermore, it provides two esteemed postgraduate programmes, namely, Master of Arts in Cultural and Heritage Tourism and Master of Social Sciences, to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary for their professional growth and career development. We offer MPhil and PhD degree programmes to undergraduates with a passion for academic pursuits and research.

A salient feature of our undergraduate and postgraduate programmes is the emphasis on interdisciplinary learning in the realm of social sciences, which fosters the cultivation of diverse perspectives from both local and global contexts. During their first year of study, students are immersed in well-structured interdisciplinary curricula encompassing social sciences and psychology. This immersive experience enables them to make an informed choice regarding their major field of study in the subsequent year, allowing for progressive development and specialisation within their chosen discipline. This growth of students is facilitated through a balanced blend of academic learning and co-curricular activities. Our postgraduate programmes are meticulously designed to cater to the needs of university graduates and working professionals, providing them with the necessary tools to pursue further studies and advance their careers. The programmes' focus on social sciences, as well as cultural and heritage tourism, equips students with both academic and professional knowledge, fostering analytical thinking and a comprehensive skill set.

In conjunction with academic study, we offer a myriad of experiential learning opportunities and co-curricular activities to our students. These include internships, service-learning programmes, field trips, study tours, and overseas summer schools. Moreover, we have established collaborative partnerships with various non-governmental organisations, which further enriches the quality of education and enhances our students' learning experiences.

The Department of Social Sciences boasts a distinguished faculty comprised of approximately 30 members. Our academic staff hails from diverse social sciences fields, encompassing psychology, sociology, political science, public administration, economics, anthropology, and cultural studies. They are dedicated to leveraging technology to facilitate innovative approaches aimed at enhancing the effectiveness of learning. For example, we believe that Virtual Reality (VR) technology allows students to apply knowledge in real-life situations which makes learning more interesting. With around HK$2.4 million funding support of the Education Bureau, our Department has undertaken a Quality Enhancement Support Scheme (QESS) project to develop a series of VR videos and instructional materials for teaching social sciences courses.

Our faculty members are not only passionate educators who proactively support our students in receiving the highest quality social sciences education, but they are also diligent researchers who actively pursue research funding, engage in scholarly activities, and partake in collaborative research projects within the PSPRC. Research is an integral component of our Department's commitment to academic excellence. In January 2019, our Department successfully obtained a grant amounted at HK$5.7 million from the Research Grants Council to establish the Public and Social Policy Research Centre (PSPRC). The PSPRC aims to enhance the research capability of HKMU academics, particularly in the disciplines of economic, public policy and social policy. Moreover. we provide abundant opportunities for our students to engage in various hands-on research projects. Many social sciences students relish the experience of academic exchanges with fellow students, scholars, and industry experts from around the globe during their study at HKMU.

The opportunities will continue to grow at our Department. I cordially invite you to explore our website to learn more about the vast array of experiences and opportunities provided by us. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you are interested in joining our Department or collaborating with us. We welcome you to join us in our fruitful journey!

Dr. Lam Wai Man
Head of Social Sciences and Associate Professor

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