Page 204 - HKSYU Prospectus 2018-19

Shue Yan University Prospectus 2018-19

SOC 357 Migration
1 Term; 3 Credits

Migration has become a significant issue in the era of globalization. This course takes up
migration, both international and internal, as the primary object of study and category of
analysis. The course will give students some basic familiarity with major theories, issues and
controversies of contemporary migration. It aims to stimulate students to reflect on and
engage in critical analysis of the causes, mechanisms and social consequences of interna-
tional migration, as well as internal migration in contemporary Chinese societies. Some of the
themes and issues that this course will take up are: the social history of Chinese migration;
return migration; Chinese transnationalism; marriage migration; and forced migration.

SOC 358 Poverty, Social Policy and Social Innovation
1 Term; 3 Credits

This course enables students to explain and analyse one of the major social problems,
i.e. poverty, and the idea of social innovation in the current debates on poverty alleviation. The
course introduces a series of policy initiatives for poverty alleviation developed by the
government, NGOs and the business sector. Innovative measures such as empowerment,
microfinance, social entrepreneurship and corporate social responsibility will be discussed.
Lastly, the course also addresses follow-up issues that sustain social innovation. These
issues include the development of human capital (both hard skills and soft skills) and the
complementary support of education policy.

SOC 359 Self, Emotion and Culture
1 Term; 3 Credits

The course aims to provide students with basic knowledge of the nature of the human
self and emotion, and how they interweave with each other in different cultures. It also aims to
strengthen students’ understanding of Western civilization and the uniqueness of Chinese
civilization. Students are invited to reflect on their own self-understanding and self-evaluation
based on this comparative understanding of Western and Chinese civilization.

SOC 360 Social Change and Modernity
1 Term; 3 Credits

The course aims at providing students with basic knowledge in sociology on social
change and modernity; by applying those basic concepts and theories acquired in the course
of study, shedding light on phenomena (global and local) of social changes that significantly
affect contemporary social conditions of human existence; increasing students’ awareness on
the impacts of modernity and postmodernity on people’s daily lives; and helping students to
gain insight on their own life situations under those social dynamics.

SOC 361 The Road to Social Entrepreneurship
1 Term; 3 Credits

A social entrepreneur seeks out innovative ways to address community needs. The

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