Page 195 - HKSYU Prospectus 2023-24

Sociology

SOC 356 Gender Relations
1 Term; 3 Credits
This course aims to enable students to develop a gender-sensitive perspective towards
the society they live in and inherited from. It introduces a series of gender issues through
feminist critiques, historical perspective, cultural studies and sociological analysis. It starts with
conceptualizing sex and gender by various scholars and the implications of their theories. It
then explores the process of becoming a man and a woman via the social construction of
masculinity, femininity, sexuality and the body, and the ways in which cultural heritage
transmits and disseminates gender-related values and norms. A larger part of the course
examines gender roles and gender relations in the private and public domains of life including
the family, labour market, political participation and policy integration.

SOC 357 Migration and Mobility
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. This 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 international
migration, as well as internal migration in contemporary societies. In considering the
relationship between migration and late modernity, the course will also investigate the impact
of transnationalism and the formation of diasporic communities on the transborder
dissemination of culture and heritage.

SOC 358 Poverty, Social Policy and Social Innovation
1 Term; 3 Credits
This course enables students to analyse the social causes of poverty and the ways in
which social innovation is effective in poverty alleviation in Hong Kong. It starts with the
sociological reasoning of how poverty comes into being. It then provides an empirical
discussion of poverty in contemporary Hong Kong (e.g. the working poor, the elderly poverty,
unemployment, etc.) and introduces the various policy initiatives for poverty alleviation
developed by the government, NGOs and the business sector. A special emphasis is put on
how each of these sectors attempts to introduce innovative measures beyond conventional
practices. Innovative measures such as empowerment, microfinance, social entrepreneurship
and corporate social responsibility will be discussed. This course will conclude by analysing
how social innovation reduces poverty in Hong Kong.

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

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