PROGRAMME OBJECTIVES
TO PROVIDE
To provide a rigorous and broad-based curriculum to appreciate and comprehend the nature of interdependent global society as a set of complex, multi-faceted connections and interrelated processes;
TO INTRODUCE
To introduce students to key concepts, debates, and perspectives on global studies and global society, with critical and reflective appraisal of those from different canons and western and non-western perspectives;
TO EQUIP
To equip students with a broad range of research methods including quantitative, qualitative, ethnographic, and interpretive, and the ability to discern between these methods;
TO EMPOWER
To empower students with the competencies for appreciating the ethical and value issues associated with global society, and for translating their own perspectives into professional practice;
TO PREPARE
To prepare students for career paths in one of five areas of specialism, where specific knowledge combined with generic critical and analytical skills and a whole person outlook are important.
FIVE CONCENTRATIONS
Students specialize and build vocational knowledge and skills by selecting one from five possible concentrations. Each has a distinct niche, as follows:
GLOBAL CULTURES
The concentration equips students with theoretical concepts and methodological tools to analyze global cultural developments. It offers an interdisciplinary approach drawing on History and Sociology to cultural globalization. This concentration prepares students for career paths where knowledge of the interplay of global, national, regional, and local cultures is crucial.
GLOBAL POLITICAL ECONOMY
This concentration aims to provide students with the basic instruments to better comprehend the major facets of globalization. Its core courses will equip students with theoretical and methodological tools that are required to understand and critique traditional models of international relations and global political economy. Students of this concentration will consider careers related to politics, government, and leadership in civil society.
GLOBAL SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
This concentration aims to provide students with the conceptual and analytical tools to understand and examine practices of social development in the contexts of the multi-faceted and interrelated processes of globalization; facilitate students to critically examine problems and issues in the application of the community approaches for advancing the welfare of disadvantaged groups who confront global challenges using local resources. This concentration empowers students to work with disadvantaged communities of different natures and in diverse settings.
GLOBAL URBAN SYSTEMS
(not open for application for AY2023/24)
The concentration equips students with advanced knowledge to comprehend complex and interrelated socio-spatial and environmental processes in an increasingly globalized and urban setting from a multi-disciplinary and multi-angle perspective. Students would be able to embark on careers in a variety of urban related fields including, inter-urban and rural-urban interdependencies, city positioning in a globalizing world, urban land use, urban and regional governance, transport planning and infrastructure development, community and neighborhood affairs.
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*This concentration will not be offered in AY2022/23
GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
(not open for application for AY2023/24)
This concentration aims to provide students with the conceptual and analytical tools to understand and intervene in key issues of environmental health as they are affected by the development of global society. Students will have exposure to interdisciplinary skills to recognize, evaluate, and control global environmental health problems. This concentration prepares graduates to work on environmental health projects in global health issues within governmental and non-governmental organizations, academia, and private industries.
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*This concentration will not be offered in AY2022/23
*Depending on the number of students enrolled or other circumstances deemed as force majeure, the programme may not be able to offer all concentrations, or could offer only one concentration.