SOCIOLOGY MAJOR
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Sociology is a discipline concerned with the study of the dialectic 
relationship of individuals and society.  At one level it is 
concerned with the way in which we know and understand the social 
world.  In this context sociologists are concerned about the ideas 
that we have about ourselves and others.  Central ideas relate to how 
individuals acquire and manage their social identities and to the 
situational location of meanings.  At the micro level we are 
concerned with how behaviour is structured and understood.  At the 
macro level we are concerned with dominant ideas and societal values.

Sociology is also concerned with social structures and the way in 
which these are organized.  These structures may be business 
organizations or schools, families or friendship networks.  
Sociologists are interested in both the formal arrangement of 
statuses and with the informal pattern of behaviour.  Population 
studies and demographic analysis are also included within Sociology.  
Here the focus is with the social characteristics of populations and 
their changes over time.

In this programme all students will be required to develop a sound 
knowledge of Sociological Theory and Sociological Research Methods.  
They will also be required to be familiar with the main features of 
social development and social organization in Hong Kong and China.  
Additionally, they will be free to choose from a wide range of 
electives.  These electives may be grouped into four broad categories 
- occupational and industrial sociology; family and gender studies; 
population and development; and political transformation.

The combination of theoretical knowledge, academic investigation and 
first hand experience provided in this Major trains students skilled 
in social analysis and its practical application.  In the changing 
circumstances of the modern world, where the ability to identify, 
analyse, and solve problems are valued, a training in Sociology is 
highly relevant.  Graduates will be able to pursue a variety of 
worthwhile careers in the public or private sector which contribute 
to the social and economic well-being of Hong Kong.

The aims of the Sociology Major include:

A)  the illumination of the complex pattern of relationships among 
    individuals, groups and larger social structures, in a cross-
    cultural perspective;

B)  the enhancing of an understanding of the dynamic interaction of 
    various institutions of society as these affect and are affected 
    by social change;

C)  the appreciation of the complexities of transitional modern 
    Chinese society in all its manifestations;

D)  the thorough preparation appropriate for postgraduate studies in 
    Sociology or a related discipline; and

E)  the critical acquisition and application of such transferable 
    skills as problem identification, argument formulation, evidence 
    gathering, analytical logic, teamwork and communication ability 
    suitable for a wide variety of professional careers in public 
    administration, social service, education, civil service, and 
    business.


Major Curriculum
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The following subjects are offered:

A.      MAJOR REQUIRED SUBJECTS
		 Social Statistics
		 Hong Kong Society
		 Introduction to Social Problems in Hong Kong
		 Principles of Sociology
		 Introduction to Social Research
		 Sociological Theory I: Classical Theory
		 Modern Chinese Society
		 Quantitative Methods of Social Research
		 Qualitative Methods of Social Research
		 Sociological Theory II: Contemp. Approaches
		 Honours Project
 
B.      MAJOR ELECTIVES
	Year 2:  Choose any FOUR
		 Population Studies
		 Sociology of Marriage and the Family
		 Traditional Chinese Society
		 Modernization and Social Change
		 Sociology of Work and Industry
		 Social Stratification and Mobility
		 Political Sociology

	Year 3:  Choose any FIVE
		 Chinese Social Thought
		 Demographic Analysis
		 Sex, Gender and Society
		 Ideologies & Social Movements
		 Human Management and Organizational Analysis
		 Population of China
		 Sociological Issues in Urban & Rural Develop.
		 Chinese Family and Kinship
		 Selected Topics in Contemporary Sociology
		 Selected Topics in Sociology of China

The programme of study provides a thorough training in sociological 
method and theory through a combination of carefully chosen core 
subjects and a guided choice of major electives.  The opportunity to 
undertake an Honours project in the final year of the programme 
provides additional opportunity for students to study those aspects 
of Sociology of particular interest to them.

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