The English Language and Literature Course seeks to provide:

A rigorous and rewarding educational experience for its students, including strengthening their English language proficiency and their ability to think and work critically, independently, and creatively;

A foundation of knowledge in literature and language that enables students to learn a variety of new approaches and methodologies in English Language and Literature;

An exposure to the canon and traditions of English literature and language as an enduring legacy for the culture and community of Hong Kong.

Having achieved these aims, the English Language and Literature Course seeks to deliver to its students:

Practical knowledge useful across a broad spectrum of career and employment opportunities within the education, civil service, translation, journalism, tourism and business sectors;

A strong basis for continuing study, including master's and doctoral work, in related fields.

Quality instruction, rigorous training, and international exposure: the combination of these key elements within the curriculum of the B.A. in English Language and Literature Course allow our students a greater realm of opportunity after graduation in work and social contexts where a degree of specialization in English is both preferred and rewarded.

The Course is likewise firmly committed to our students not only as students maintaining a high degree of excellence in their studies within the Course, but beyond the University after graduation as ambassadors of 'whole person' education. We believe in students' development (and ultimate prosperity) as human beings who will make a positive difference in the world around them. Our graduates often develop their careers in teaching, business administration, journalism, public relations, tourism, communications, banking, marketing, advertising, civil service, or translation.

Objectives:

To introduce students to interdisciplinary Humanities studies in both Chinese and English languages

To prepare students for graduate study in the Humanities and related fields

To examine the traditional and contemporary culture of China and the world through the study of selected Humanities texts

To prepare students entering the work force with the reasoning, expressive, and interpersonal skills that will allow them to contribute to their professions

Aims:

To cultivate in our students

Articulateness in language, thought, and other means of self-expression

An ability to present persuasive and well-organized arguments

An understanding of contemporary issues within a larger cultural and historical perspective

The development of critical and creative thinking

The development of art appreciation capacity and cultural awareness

The development of self-reflection

The intellectual habit of independent judgment

Good interpersonal skills

Characteristics:

Interdisciplinary studies, involving multiple approaches to the diverse subjects traditionally studied within the Humanities: literature, language, history, philosophy, and fine arts

Bilingual and cross-cultural approaches to the Humanities

An emphasis on the intellectual skills of independent thought and judgment, creative and critical thinking, self- awareness, and commitment

A broad education including study in several Departments and Schools within the University

Substantial exposure to a large variety of cultural events and art activities

The Humanities is not a vocational programme designed to prepare students to enter a specific career or professional field.

Rather, by emphasizing self-awareness, interpersonal communication skills, independent thought and judgment, and the understanding of contemporary issues, the Humanities programme prepares students for virtually any field where such skills are necessary.

Historically, Humanities students have found employment in education, business, human resources, management, public relations, media, publishing, and the civil service. The programme has ranked very high in new graduates' rate of employment and job preparation.

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The B.A. (Honours) in Music program at HKBU is the largest full-time music course available in Hong Kong's universities. It comprises a comprehensive and forward-looking curriculum designed to provide students with the practical and intellectual foundation for a vast number of careers in Music and Music related fields. The course is designed to enable our graduates to work intelligently and creatively towards their own areas of special interest. These lead to 3rd Year Honours Projects in the areas of:

Performance/Pedagogy

Composition/Music Production

Music Education, or more general academic areas such as Music History or Theory

Students accepted to the course study with specialist scholars and teachers in music theory, composition, Chinese and Western music history, analysis, music education and performance. Individuals have the opportunity to hear and interact with outstanding scholars and performers from China and the Western World. The strong emphasis on solo, chamber, and ensemble performance throughout the three years provides a rich experience in practical music making. These are further enhanced by the many HKBU ensembles, including the:

University Orchestra

University Choir

University Girls' Choir

Chamber Choir

Jazz Band

African Drumming Ensemble

Chinese Music Ensembles

Contemporary Music Workshop

HKBU Brass Quintet

Indonesian Gamelan ensemble

In past years, HKBU ensembles have performed extensively and included tours to Switzerland, Austria, Korea, Singapore, Canada, Mainland, Taiwan, Thailand, Bali, Malaysia, the United States and Russia.

The program also places a special emphasis on the role of technology and computers in various aspects of music, providing students with cutting edge equipment in one of the finest facilities in South-east Asia, including:

The Electro-acoustic Music Centre (EMC)

The Laboratory for Music Exploration and Research (LaMER)

Annual University-wide surveys conducted by the Office of Student Affairs show that HKBU music graduates consistently rate their employment preparation higher than other programs, and enjoy some of the highest initial salaries. On average 70% engage in full-time employment within 3 months after graduation, 25% pursue further studies, and 5% prefer to remain employed part-time. Recent graduates have careers in teaching, arts management, radio and television production, and other music-related fields. Other graduates have continued their studies in graduate schools in Hong Kong, the USA, and Europe

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This degree course provides an opportunity to study diverse religious traditions of the world, especially the monotheistic faiths of Christianity and Islam, and the Chinese religious traditions of Daoism, Confucianism, and Buddhism.  Students will be engaged in the descriptive, philosophical, and critical study of religion.

Philosophical Studies Concentration

This concentration places emphasis on either (i) philosophical dimensions of major faiths or religious traditions, or (ii) philosophical issues, problems or ideas that are highly relevant or closely related to understanding these faiths or religious traditions.

Christian Studies Concentration

This concentration places emphasis on the study of the Christian faith, especially its theological, ethical and socio-cultural dimensions.

Our 13 member faculty comes from various backgrounds, in Chinese and Western philosophy, science and social science, Christian Theology and Biblical Studies, and Buddhism.  This allows for an interdisciplinary approach to religious studies.

The mission of the Department is to prepare well-informed and independent thinkers who are able to do objective research, to collect and organize idea, to analyze and make judgments required by any profession or position in a pluralistic and multicultural society. Thus our programme equips the students for a variety of professions, including teaching in schools, further studies in religion, philosophy or other related areas in the humanities.

The main objectives of the B.A. (Honours) in Religious Studies course are as follows:

To equip students with critical, analytical and interpretative skills with which they may understand diverse religious traditions in an objective way;

To provide students with substantial information about ideas and practices of major religious traditions, thus building a solid foundation for their understanding and interpretation;

To help students develop capability in correlating religious ideas and values to socio-cultural problems;

To widen students' perspective in the understanding of both the human person and human culture through comparative study of different religious traditions, showing a range of human responses to life problems;

To prepare students for postgraduate studies; and

To assist students in preparing for careers in education, cultural affairs and related fields.

Graduates in Religious Studies can expect to find career development not only in teaching ("Ethics and Religious Studies" and "Liberal Studies" are now introduced as an Advanced Supplementary subject, and hence many schools will need teachers for that), but also in cultural affairs, in publication business, and in church-related social service agencies. Furthermore, graduates may consider going into administration in the civil service as well as in the business sector.

It has been generally assumed that Religious Studies, like many other Arts major or Pure Science major, may not have direct or necessary links to jobs, except in teaching. But recently the whole concept of the function of higher education has changed. The significant role of higher education is the training of analytical and critical thinking, development of conceptual tools, creativity and flexibility, and a broad base of knowledge. Employers in Hong Kong are looking for these qualities rather than skills in a very narrow scope, which may become obsolete in five years.

Nowadays, with our society being more open and international in outlook, a graduate with a good Honours Degree from any major discipline can go into a wide variety of fields for career development.

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The BA (Hons) in Translation aims at providing students with:

Professional training in translating and interpreting.

Training in communication skills across languages (English and Chinese) and cultures.

A broad-based university education.

Structure:

The BA (Hons) Degree in Translation is a 'sandwich' programme of four years' duration.

The third year is spent in on-the-job training, in a range of placements arranged by the University with companies and organizations, mainly in Hong Kong.

The final year training takes account of experience gained in the placement (third) year.

Characteristics:

Dynamic approaches to translation education (Students are introduced to the latest translation theories and methods.)

"Town and gown connection" (Close contact with clients and the market through the year- long placement system, commissioned translating jobs, and guest lecturers practising the art.)

Mentoring (Only 30 students are admitted to the programme each year to ensure quality of teaching and learning as well as close contact between students and staff.)

Translation management training (Students learn the art of the profession first-hand by operating their own translation agency to serve clients from various sectors of the community.)

Emphasis on communication (The business of translating is regarded as a communicative activity between individuals, and students are trained to use language sensitively.)

Upon graduation, students will be able to train themselves to function competently and confidently as translators and interpreters. They will also be able to participate in various kinds of communicative jobs, including:

Translating and vetting

Editing

Publishing

Information processing

Interpreting

Advertising and PR

Mass media

Information technology

Writing

Cultural advisory work

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Aims & Objectives:

To provide students with solid training in concepts of arts and skills in various studio arts.

To cultivate artists and designers who can meet the urgent need of creative industry in Hong Kong and the Pearl River Delta to produce artistic works incorporating fine arts skills and computer graphics.

As Hong Kong is a famous international city with the added opportunity to enhance the cultural convergence between the East and the West, this programme will utilize the features of the locale and cultivate students to integrate Chinese and Western ideas to present a unique blending of both perspectives in their artistic works.

To nurture skilled creative practitioners in the visual arts with a high level of aesthetic and cultural awareness.

To enhance communication and presentation skills of students.

2/3 of the major units of this programme will provide training in studio arts (painting, drawing, Chinese painting, Chinese calligraphy, sculpture, ceramics, installation art, design, printmaking, photography, etc.), and training in concepts of culture and arts (Chinese and Western modes of thought, history of arts, aesthetics, etc.).  About 1/3 of the major units provide professional training.  The students can select one of the following four professional studies: exhibit design, photography, digital media design and multimedia design.

Artist, designer, digital graphic designer, photographer.  Professionals in advertisement, public arts organizations and institutes, gallery, the exhibition departments of public organization and private firms, publishers, design firms, digital graphic design firms etc.

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