Page 91 - HKSYU Prospectus 2023-24

English Language & Literature

final-year course aims to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the key
concepts in pragmatics, with a particular focus on applications of these key concepts to explain
real-life language communications. As such, the course begins with brief reviews of basic
concepts and theories of pragmatics, which serve as recapitulation and extension of the pre-
requisite course (i.e. ENG160). Following these, the course will proceed to discuss various
issues surrounding the applications of these key pragmatic concepts in real-world contexts of
communication. For the most part, the course materials will focus on issues in pragmatics in
English, although regular mention will be made of relevant features of Cantonese and
Mandarin. Additionally, for their group projects students are encouraged to apply pragmatic
theories to any of the languages used daily in the Hong Kong context (i.e. English, Cantonese
and/or Mandarin).

ENG 487 Contemporary Translation Theory and Its Applications
1 Term; 3 Credits
This course is intended to provide a comprehensive survey of major translation theories,
such as the linguistic, cultural, functional and philosophical translation theories. The focus is
predominantly on contemporary works in or related to translation studies, with some historical
literature providing a necessary context. Major issues of translation theories are identified and
discussed with reference to authentic translation texts and/or actual translation practice. Upon
completing this course, students are expected to be cognizant of the interdisciplinary nature of
translation studies and develop some viable theoretical approaches to analysing translation
and its role in cross-cultural communication.

ENG 489 Visual Culture Studies
1 Term; 3 Credits
With advances in visual and media technologies, society has been increasingly
predominated by visual signs and spectacle since the beginning of the 20th century. This
course aims at equipping students with the tools for a more critical understanding of everyday
visual experiences. It will draw upon cultural texts, such as photography, cinema and television,
digital media, Internet and web images, video and computer games, anime and manga,
advertisements, fashion and architecture, as well as visual culture theories to discuss issues
ranging from nationality, gender, class, and race, to postmodernism, consumerism, and post-
colonialism.

ENG 490 Honours Project
1 Term; 3 Credits
The project enables students to pursue independent research on a selected topic under
the guidance of an advisor. It gives students who evidence initiative, originality, intellectual
maturity and a desire to commit themselves to genuine scholarship an opportunity to
synthesize information they have learned in courses with their independent investigation and
thought on a topic of their choice.

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