Welcome to the Department of Social Sciences! The Department of Social Sciences, as part of the School of Arts and Social Sciences in HKMU, is committed to fostering theoretical and practical knowledge, professional training and global awareness. We are dedicated to offering opportunities for students to develop social, economic and political understanding as well as critical thinking skills.
We currently offer two undergraduate programmes (with various Streams), one double undergraduate degree programme collaborated with Lee Shau Kee School of Business and Administration, and two taught postgraduate programmes. One prominent feature of our undergraduate and taught postgraduate programmes is an emphasis on interdisciplinary learning of social sciences and the cultivation of diverse local and international perspectives. Our undergraduate curriculum design aims to cultivate global view and professional expertise among our students. In the Year 1 study, students immerse in well-structured interdisciplinary social sciences and psychology curriculums, facilitating them to choose their major in Year 2 to progressively develop and specialise in their own discipline through well-balanced academic learning and co-curricular activities, such as service-learning programmes, study tours, summer exchange and internship programmes. Our taught postgraduate programmes are designed for meeting the needs of further studies and career development for university graduates and working adults. The emphasis of the programmes on social sciences, and cultural and heritage tourism, facilitate students to master academic and professional knowledge as well as analytical thinking. In addition, we offer MPhil and PhD degree programmes to undergraduates with a passion for academic pursuits and research. Last but not least, we have built partnerships with different non-governmental organisations in our co-curricular activities and internship programmes that have enhanced our quality of education and students' learning experiences.
We strive to promote quality education and professional training to align with the emerging needs of our society and students' diverse learning interests. In January 2019, our Department successfully obtained a grant amounted at HK$5.7 million from the Research Grants Council to establish the Public and Social Policy Research Centre (PSPRC). PSPRC aims to enhance the research capability of HKMU academics, particularly in the disciplines of economic, public policy and social policy. The policy research undertaken by PSPRC focuses on ageing and housing policies in Hong Kong. Research is integral to the academic excellence of our Department. Our students are offered plenty of opportunities to engage in numerous hands-on research projects. Many social sciences students enjoy the experience of academic exchanges with fellow students, academics and professional experts across the globe during their study at the HKMU.
Our academic staff are from various social sciences fields, including psychology, sociology, political science, public administration, economics, anthropology and cultural studies. They are committed to make the best use of technology to encourage innovative ways to enhance learning effectiveness. For example, we believe that Virtual Reality (VR) technology allows students to apply knowledge in real-life situations which makes learning more interesting. With around HK$2.4 million funding support of the Education Bureau, our Department has undertaken a Quality Enhancement Support Scheme (QESS) project to develop a series of VR videos and instructional materials for teaching social sciences courses. Our academic staff are not only enthusiastic educators who proactively facilitate our students to receive the best quality of social sciences education, but also conscientious researchers who actively seek research funding, engage in scholarly activities, and participate in collaborative research projects of PSPRC.
The opportunities will continue to grow at our Department. I cordially invite you to explore our website to learn more about the vast array of experiences and opportunities provided by us. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you are interested in joining our Department or collaborating with us. We welcome you to join us in our fruitful journey!
Dr. Lam Wai Man
Head of Social Sciences and Associate Professor
