Student Handbook - Faculty of Social Sciences

Bachelor of Arts/
Bachelor of Social Sciences Programmes
YEAR 1 STUDENT HANDBOOK (2015-16)
---------------------------------
AY 2015-16 Calendar for Year 1 Students of the Bachelor of Arts (Hons)/
Bachelor of Social Sciences (Hons) Programmes (GEOG/GIS/HIST/SOC)
2015
Sept
Oct
Nov
Dec
2016
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Sun
Mon
7
14
21
28
Tue
1
8
15
22
29
Wed
2
9
16
23
30
6
13
20
27
Thu
3
10
17
24
Fri
4
11
18
25
Sat
5
12
19
26
4
11
18
25
5
12
19
26
6
13
20
27
7
14
21
28
1
8
15
22
29
2
9
16
23
30
3
10
17
24
31
1
8
15
22
29
2
9
16
23
30
3
10
17
24
4
11
18
25
5
12
19
26
6
13
20
27
7
14
21
28
6
Tuition Payment Due Date (New students) Balance Payment for First Semester
2
9
16
23
30
3
10
17
24
31
4
11
18
25
5
12
19
26
3
8-19
11
Last Day of Classes (1 Semester)
First Semester Examinations
Second Semester Tuition Payment Due Date
9
11
11
11
14-23
15/18
6
13
20
27
7
14
21
28
1
8
15
22
29
3
10
17
24
31
4
11
18
25
5
12
19
26
6
13
20
27
7
14
21
28
1
8
15
22
29
2
9
16
23
30
7
14
21
28
1
8
15
22
29
2
9
16
23
3
10
17
24
4
11
18
25
5
12
19
26
6
13
20
27
6
13
20
27
7
14
21
28
1
8
15
22
29
2
9
16
23
30
3
10
17
24
31
4
11
18
25
5
12
19
26
3
10
17
24
4
11
18
25
5
12
19
26
6
13
20
27
7
14
21
28
1
8
15
22
29
2
9
16
23
30
1
8
15
22
29
2
9
16
23
30
3
10
17
24
31
4
11
18
25
5
12
19
26
6
13
20
27
7
14
21
28
5
12
19
26
6
13
20
27
7
14
21
28
1
8
15
22
29
2
9
16
23
30
3
10
17
24
4
11
18
25
Sundays and public holidays
University Holidays
1 First Semester Begins
2 First Semester Classes Begin
st
2 First Day to Add/Drop Courses (1 Semester)
st
15 Last Day to Add/Drop Courses (1 Semester)
st
First Semester Ends
Second Semester Begins
Second Semester Classes Begin
nd
First Day to Add/Drop Courses (2 Semester)
First Semester Make-up Examinations
Major Application Briefing & New Year Dinner
Gathering (Exact Date to be confirmed, Tentative
at 6:30pm)
nd
23 Last Day to Add/Drop Courses (2 Semester)
nd
25 Last Day of Classes (2 Semester)
4-17 Second Semester Examinations
15 Second Semester Ends
13-21 Second Semester Make-up Examinations
10-28 Major Application Submission & Release of Result
(Exact dates to be confirmed)
WELCOME
Welcome to the Faculty of Social Sciences, HKBU, and admission to the Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of
Social Sciences (GEOG/GIS/HIST/SOC) Programmes!
This Student Handbook provides you some general information about Year 1 academic study for your
adaptation to the university environment and your preparation for Major study in Year 2. Used in
accordance with the University Calendar and Bulletin, this handbook should keep you properly
informed. Should you have any enquiries not addressed in these documents, please consult the
Faculty Office on the general programme arrangements or the Programme Advising
Coordinator/Advisors per Major on subject discipline matters.
Upholding the “whole-person” education philosophy of the University, the Faculty provides students
with a liberal arts education that enhances their personal, intellectual and professional development.
We trust that your choice of our Programme (Geography, Government & International Studies,
History or Sociology) will definitely prove to be correct and challenging.
CONTENT
Page
1
Introduction
1
2
Schedule
2
3
Programme Descriptions
3
4
Programme Structure & Schedule
5
5
6
1.
Programme Structure
2.
Year 1 Programme Schedule
Major Application & Assignment
1.
Schedule
2.
Criteria
3.
Notes
Course Arrangements
1.
Courses Pre-registration
2.
Adding/Dropping of Courses after Registration
3.
Bad Weather Arrangement of Classes
4.
Assessment and Awards
5.
Attendance
6.
Unit and Grade Point Average Requirements for Graduation
6
7
7
Academic Advising/Mentoring Activities (6-10 Hours Requirement)
10
8
Useful Information
11
1.
Webpages
2.
Programme Advising Coordinator, Major Advisors and General Enquiries
3.
Fax Numbers
9
Building Code
13
10
Campus Map
14
Appendix I
Sample of Online Major Application Form
15
1.
INTRODUCTION
The Faculty of Social Sciences consists of seven departments, Education Studies, Geography, Government
& International Studies, History, Physical Education, Sociology and Social Work with a total of 12
UGC-funded undergraduate programmes in various disciplines.
With the implementation of four-year university curriculum structure in 2012, the Faculty has introduced
the broad-based admission for four undergraduate programmes, namely Geography, Government &
International Studies, History and Sociology.
Under the new admission practice, students will be provided with a broad-based social sciences training
in their first year with no specific Major. Upon the completion of the first year of study, students will
apply to take one of the four Majors as their Major and enroll into the specified Bachelor of Arts (Hons)/
Bachelor of Social Sciences (Hons) programme based on individual interest and academic performance
(Please refer to P. 6 “Major Application & Assignment”).
1
2.
SCHEDULE
At the end of the 2nd Semester, Year 1 students of the BA/BSocSc programmes should apply for one of the
four Majors and enroll into the specified Bachelor of Arts (Hons)/Bachelor of Social Sciences (Hons)
programme based on individual interest and academic performance.
A schedule for preparing the Major Application is suggested below:
Date
Event
15 September 2015
Last Day to Add/Drop Courses (1st Semester)
15/18 January 2016
Major Application Briefing
(Exact Date to be confirmed, tentatively starts at 6:30 pm)
23 January 2016
Last Day to Add/Drop Courses (2nd Semester)
-
10-28 June 2016
Deadlines of Major Application Submission of Round 1 & 2
(exact dates to be confirmed)
Note: Students who fail to fulfil the 6-10 hours requirement of academic
advising/mentoring activities will only be allowed to bid for their
Major choices in Round 2 of Major Application. For the details,
please refer to P. 10 “Academic Advising/Mentoring Activities (6-10
Hours Requirement)”.
- Release of Major Assignment Results (exact dates to be confirmed)
It is advised that students should consult the Major discipline matters with the Major Advisors before the
Major Application.
2
3.
PROGRAMME DESCRIPTIONS
Major Programme Descriptions
Bachelor of Social Sciences (Honours) in Geography
The BSocSc (Hons) in Geography is structured so that
students can either choose to specialise in certain
sub-fields of the discipline at later stages of their study
or to undertake a well-rounded training in Geography,
in line with its synthesising tradition. The BSocSc
(Hons) in Geography enables students to obtain a firm
foundation in geographical methodology while at the
same time acquiring an understanding of the spatial
order and interdependence of the world’s peoples and
regions.
Emphasis is placed on the ways in which geographers may assist in finding solutions to real world
problems. Students are offered considerable freedom to take a broad spectrum of courses,
particularly in their third and final years, when they may choose to concentrate on aspects of
either physical or human geography.
Bachelor of Social Sciences (Honours) in
Government & International Studies
BSocSc (Hons) in Government and International Studies
provides a programme of study which is intended to give
students a firm grasp of the different areas of political
science. These cover political sociology (including
political institutions, political culture and political
behaviour), government and public policy-making,
international relations and political economy, political
theory and political thought, and political methodology.
In geographical terms, the programme focuses on the
politics of Hong Kong, Mainland China, the Asia-Pacific
region, and European Union. The programme seeks to
sharpen the student’s awareness by incorporating a
systematic, comparative and international dimension,
drawing both on the China Studies and European
Studies programmes.
3
3.
PROGRAMME DESCRIPTIONS
Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in History
It is hoped that students, after completing this programme, will be able:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
To investigate the development of human society from a historical perspective;
To demonstrate power of critical thinking and
analytical ability in understanding historical
events;
To show in-depth knowledge of the heritage of
China and other great civilisations;
To pursue graduate studies in history or a related
discipline; and
To enter various fields outside history, such as the
civil service, business, publishing, and teaching.
Bachelor of Social Sciences (Honours) in Sociology
In this programme students will be required to develop a
sound knowledge of sociological theory and research
methods. They will be introduced to the main features of
social change and organisation in Hong Kong and
mainland China. They will also be exposed to sociological
inquiries about social inequalities, collective identities,
and forms of solidarity, power and resistance.
4
4.
4.1
PROGRAMME STRUCTURE & YEAR 1 SCHEDULE
Programme Structure
Students are required to take a total of 128 units in the 4-year programme.
Major
Major Required Courses (including Honours Project)
Major Elective Courses
General Education Courses
Electives
4.2
60 units
(24-36 units)
(24-36 units)
38 units
30 units
128 units
Year 1 Programme Schedule (For AY2015-16)
According to the study schedule set by the Programme, students should complete 32 units of
coursework in Year 1. The distribution of units is as follows:
Semester 1
University English I
University Chinese
Numeracy
Physical Education Course
Units
3.00
3.00
3.00
1.00
University Life
0.00
Free Elective Courses
Writing Enhancement Course (students who have not
6.00*
0.00
obtained Level 4 or above in the HKDSE “English Language”
are required to take this course)
Term Total:
Semester 2
University English II
Information Management Technology
Values & the Meaning of Life
Physical Education Course
16.00
Units
3.00
3.00
3.00
1.00
University Life
0.00
Free Elective Courses
Term Total:
6.00*
16.00
* Elective Courses suggested to be taken in Year 1
If students have taken the listed course(s) below from the Department(s) as electives, such course
will be counted under the respective Major to which they will be assigned after Year 1. Students are
advised to take the following course(s) in relation to the Major they will pursue in Year 2:
Semester 1
Semester 2
Offering Department
Course
Geography
GEOG 1005
Geography & the Contemporary World
History
HIST 1405
History, Heritage & Human Communities
POLS 1005
Foundations of Political Science
SOCI 1005
Invitation to Sociology
Government &
International Studies
Sociology
5
5.
MAJOR APPLICATION & ASSIGNMENT
5.1 Schedule
Students should pay attention to the schedule below for planning the Major Application:
Date
15/18 January 2016
10-28 June 2016
Event
Major Application Briefing
(Exact Date to be confirmed, tentatively starts at 6:30 pm)
- Deadlines of Major Application Submission of Round 1 & 2
(exact dates to be confirmed)
Note: Students who fail to fulfil the 6-10 hours requirement of academic
advising/mentoring activities will only be allowed to bid for their
Major choices in Round 2 of Major Application. For the details,
please refer to P. 10 “Academic Advising/Mentoring Activities (6-10
Hours Requirement)”.
Release of Major Assignment Results (exact dates to be confirmed)
5.2 Criteria
The Faculty follows the following criteria to determine students’ Major Application:
a) Student’s choice of Major Programme
b) If the number of the applications for a Major exceeds the cap set by the Department,
preference would be given on the basis of Cumulative GPA of the two semesters of Year 1.
5.3 Notes
a) Students should submit the On-line Major Application by the deadline (exact dates to be
confirmed).
b) As regards late submission or no application from students, they will be randomly assigned to
one of the Majors without prior notice.
c) It is advised that students should consult the Major subject matters with the Major Advisors
(please refer to Point 8.2, P.11) before the Major Application.
d) The results of the Major Assignment will be released to students individually via email on or by
the end of June 2016 (exact dates to be confirmed).
6
6.
6.1
COURSE ARRANGEMENTS
Courses Pre-registration
Students enrolled with the University will automatically be registered on courses which are
required by their programme of study. For registration of elective courses, students have to
participate in the pre-registration exercise in August and November for Semesters 1 and 2 courses
respectively. Students who fail to gain admission to some courses due to limited places during the
pre-registration exercise are required to complete the course registration during the first two weeks
of classes.
Furthermore, students are advised to take note of the followings:
i)
It would be desirable for students to enroll on the suggested elective course(s) in at least one
semester in Year 1 (Please refer to P.5).
ii) To avoid study overload, students should enroll 12-18 units per semester.
iii) Students are encouraged to check the e-news from the Academic Registry often during the
course registration period.
iv) For students who want to register for more than 18 units must obtain approval from the
Programme Coordinator and the Academic Registrar during the Course Add/Drop period.
6.2
Adding/Dropping of Courses after Registration
For students who want to change their course enrolment after pre-registration, they may do so
during the Course Add/Drop period (2-15 September 2015 for Semester 1, AY2015-16).
6.3
Bad Weather Arrangement of Classes
Classes may be suspended in the event of typhoon or bad weather. Normally, classes will be
cancelled upon hoisting of Typhoon Signal No. 8 or above or Black Rainstorm Warning Signal.
Students should take note of the “Arrangement of Classes During Typhoon Signal No. 8 or Black
Rainstorm Warning Signal” which can be found on the Academic Registry Web page at
http://buar2.hkbu.edu.hk.
7
6.
6.4
COURSE ARRANGEMENTS
Assessment and Awards
A)
Grading System
Students are assessed by assignments, examinations, and other elements of course work.
The standard method of assessing coursework and examination performance at the
University is the Grade Point Average (GPA). Letter grades are used to indicate the results
of assessment. The number of grade points gained by a student in a particular course
corresponds to the letter grade.
Letter Grade
Academic Performance
Grade Point Per Unit
A
)
Excellent
4.00
A-
)
B+ )
Good
3.33
B
)
3.00
B-
)
2.67
C+ )
B)
3.67
Satisfactory
2.33
C
)
2.00
C-
)
1.67
D
Marginal Pass
1.00
E
Conditional Pass
0.00
F
Fail
0.00
I
Incomplete
Not included in GPA calculation
S
Satisfactory
Not included in GPA calculation
U
Unsatisfactory
Not included in GPA calculation
W
Withdrawn
Not included in GPA calculation
YR
Year Grade
Not included in GPA calculation
NR
Not Yet Reported
Not included in GPA calculation
PR
Project to be Resubmitted
Not included in GPA calculation
Academic Honours
For students taking 12 units or more and attained the following results in a semester:
a) President’s Honour Roll: Applicable to students with a semester GPA of 3.50 or above and
with no grades below “C” for a given semester*.
b) Dean’s List: Applicable to students with a semester GPA of 3.00–3.49 and with no grades
below “C” for a given semester*.
* Students with a “U” grade in that given semester are NOT eligible for receiving the academic
honours.
8
6.
COURSE ARRANGEMENTS
C) Honours Classifications and Scholastic Awards
The various classifications are based on the Cumulative Grade Point Average (cGPA). The
general guidelines are as follows:
cGPA
3.40-4.00
3.00-3.39
2.50-2.99
2.20-2.49
2.00-2.19
Honours Classification
First Class
Second Class (Division I)
Second Class (Division II)
Third Class
Pass
Individual Faculty/School may develop additional or alternative indicators for the award
classifications in the programmes.
The graduate who has the highest cGPA in the graduating class of the programme and whose
cGPA is no less than 3.20 will be awarded the scholastic award of the programme for that year.
6.5
Attendance
A student who is reported—
a) to have been absent without approval for more than 15 per cent of scheduled classes, or
b) to have attended less than 70 per cent of scheduled classes (with approved and
unapproved absences)
shall receive an F grade for the course. The student will not be allowed to sit for the course
examination, if any.
A student who is more than 15 minutes late for a class may be counted as absent by the course
instructor. All unapproved absences will be counted.
6.6
Unit and Grade Point Average Requirements for Graduation
To be awarded the Bachelor of Arts (Hons)/Bachelor of Social Sciences (Hons) degree, students
should have:
a) obtained the total number 128 of units required; and
b) obtained a cumulative GPA (cGPA) of 2.00 or above for all course attempted and have passed
all courses stipulated by the Programme.
9
7.
ACADEMIC ADVISING/MENTORING ACTIVITIES
(6-10 HOURS REQUIREMENT)
The Faculty and 4 Major Departments organise various advising/mentoring activities each year for
Year One students such as Major Application Briefing and Information Sessions to facilitate students’
university studies and assist them in the consideration of Major Study preceding Year Two. It is
stipulated on
P. 25 in Calendar/Bulletin 2015-2016 that,
“To better cater for student needs,
all students are expected to meet with their academic advisers/mentors for
normally 6-10 hours in a given academic year.”
Students, therefore, are required to fulfil this requirement by the end of April in Year One study
through participating in the Faculty-/Departmental-based advising/mentoring activities. Those who
fail to fulfil the requirement will only be allowed to bid for their Major choices in Round 2 of Major
Application instead of Round 1. Please refer to Point 5.1, P.6.
10
8.
USEFUL INFORMATION
8.1 Webpages
Faculty of Social Sciences
http://hkbu.edu.hk/sosc/
Broad-based Admission Programmes
Department of
http://hkbu.edu.hk/sosc/bap
Geography
Government & International Studies
History
http://geog.hkbu.edu.hk/
http://gis.hkbu.edu.hk/
http://histweb.hkbu.edu.hk/
Sociology
http://socweb.hkbu.edu.hk/
8.2 Programme Advising Coordinator, Major Advisors and General Enquiries
Email Address
(@hkbu.edu.hk)
Office
Location
Phone Number
honchu
AAB 1058
3411-7148
Dr. CHUNG Him
himchung
AAB 1223
3411-7208
Dr. MAH Ngar-yin, Daphne
daphnemah
AAB 1234
3411-5941
bwkwong
AAB 1113
3411-5648
Dr. KWONG Chi Man
cmkwong
AAB 1140
3411-6431
Dr. LAW Yuen Han
yhlaw
AAB 1156
3411-7111
Prof. CHUNG Po Yin
s53096
AAB 1145
3411-7101
Dr. CHAN Kwok Shing
kschan
AAB 1049
3411-7134
Dr. LEUNG Hon Chu
honchu
AAB 1058
3411-7148
sosc_gghs
AAB 1319
AAB 1325
3411-8089
3411-7119
Geography
geog
AAB 1220
3411-7129
Government & International
Studies
History
gis
AAB 1110
3411-5669
hist
AAB 1151
3411-7107
Sociology
soc
AAB 1046
3411-7131
Programme Advising Coordinator
Dr. LEUNG Hon Chu
Major Advisors
Geography
Government & International Studies
Dr. WONG Wai Kwok, Benson
History
Sociology
General Enquiry
Faculty Office
Department Office of
11
8.
USEFUL INFORMATION
8.3 Fax Numbers
Faculty Office
3411-8094
3411-5777
Department Office of
Geography
3411-5990
Government & International Studies
3411-5799
History
3411-7885
Sociology
3411-7893
12
9.
BUILDING CODE
Buildings
Codes
Ho Sin Hang Campus
Academic Community Hall
Au Shue Hung Building
Cha Chi-Ming Science Tower
Christian Education Centre
Fong Shu Chuen Library
Lui Ming Choi Centre
Oen Hall Building
East Wing
Main Building
West Wing
Sing Tao Building
Sir Run Run Shaw Building
Wai Hang Sports Centre
Yeung Shui Sang Building
HSHC
ACH
ASH
SCT
CEC
FSC
LMC
Shaw Campus
Au Shue Hung Memorial Library
David C. Lam Building
Joint Sports Centre
Madam Kwok Chung Bo Fun Sports and Cultural Centre
Shaw Tower
The Wing Lung Bank Building for Business Studies
SC
AML
DLB
JSC
SCC
SWT
WLB
Baptist University Road Campus
Academic and Administration Building
Communication and Visual Arts Building
Dr. Ng Tor Tai International House
Jockey Club Academic Community Centre
Jockey Club School of Chinese Medicine Building
Madam Chan Wu Wan Kwai SCE Tower
Student Residence Halls
BURC
AAB
CVA
NTT
ACC
SCM
SCE
SRH
OEE
OEM
OEW
STB
RRS
WHS
YSS
13
10. CAMPUS MAP
14
Appendix I
HONG KONG BAPTIST UNIVERSITY
FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES
BACHELOR OF ARTS / BACHELOR OF SOCIAL SCIENCES PROGRAMMES
SAMPLE
ONLINE MAJOR APPLICATION FORM
Please complete the electronic form to the Faculty Office by [the scheduled Date & Time]
via the [LINK] provided.
Preceding Year 2 study, Year 1 students of the Bachelor of Arts/ Bachelor of Social Sciences Programmes
(GEOG/ GIS/ HIST/ SOC) should apply for one of the Majors and, upon confirmation, enroll on the specified
programme. The Faculty follows the following criteria to determine students’ Major Application:
a) Student’s priority of Major programmes
b) If the number of the applications for a Major exceeds the cap set by the Department then preference
is given on the basis of Cumulative GPA of the two semesters of Year 1.
Notes
- After the release of examination results on [Date], students should complete the Major Application
on or before [the scheduled Date & Time of Round 1 / Round 2 Major Application]. No amendment
is possible after submission.
- This link of Major Application for each student is unique with pre-loaded personal information.
Please DO NOT forward this link to other students for submission.
- It is advised that students should consult the Major subject matters with the Major Advisors or
Student Mentors before the Major Application.
Please indicate:
My Existing Study Programme is: _____________________________________
Please complete the information below:
Student Name (English)
Student Name (Chinese)
Student ID
HKBU Email
Mobile No.
Year 1 Cumulative GPA
Please state your preferred Major:
Preferred Major:
Disclaimer
The personal data collected from you will be kept confidential and used for Major Application under the
Faculty of Social Sciences ONLY; and they will not be disclosed to third parties or organizations outside the
Faculty unless otherwise stated or with your prior consent.
15
NOTES
16
NOTES
17
Faculty of Social Sciences
3411 8089/ 3411 7119
[email protected]
http://hkbu.edu.hk/sosc/
http://sosc.hkbu.edu.hk/bap/