Computational Social Science (CSS) is an emergent interdisciplinary field that resides at the nexus of social and computational sciences. It investigates social science questions through the application of modern computational tools to digital data, leveraging the power of big data to uncover insights into social phenomena and individual behavior.
Geography has a long tradition at HKU. Since 1931, our professors, researchers, and students have practiced the art and science of spatial relationships, and have equipped our graduates and the public at large with the tools and the knowledge to understand and address some of the world’s most pressing environmental and social concerns. Today, the Department is a world leading research community with experts working at the frontiers of geospatial data science, human beings and their environs, and the physical characteristics and processes of our rapidly changing planet. We provide training that embraces a wide range of philosophies and methodologies from across the social and natural sciences as well as the arts and humanities, which allows geographers to view complex problems both holistically and from multiple angles, and to design, test, and refine solutions at the forefront of global knowledge and scientific innovation.
This major aims to provide students with basic knowledge in political science and public administration, as well as develop students’ ability in critical analysis of complex political issues in the real world. Students may specialise in one of the following streams: Comparative Politics, International Politics, Political Theory and Ethics, or Public Administration.
This major aims to build students’ competency to become change agents in the society and their communities. Students are exposed to contemporary social development issues, applications of social data analytics, and social policy responses to these issues in the local, regional, and global contexts. Graduates are competent in using data analytical skills to work in non-profit, for-profit, and social enterprise sectors for social changes and to be innovators in these sectors.
This major seeks to nurture students to become knowledgeable, critical and caring members of society. The programme offers students a solid foundation in Sociology. Its wide ranging course offerings allow students to examine specialist areas within the discipline, including media and culture, cultural heritage, and criminology.
Cognitive Science is a scientific study of the mind and mental phenomena which adopts methodologies from computer science, psychology, philosophy, linguistics, and neuroscience. Students are equipped to integrate results from across the different approaches to fully understand the complexities of the mind and the brain.
This major equips students with foundational counselling theoretical orientations and helping skills. It fosters students’ ability to understand interpersonal processes in communication across settings and navigate ethical considerations in counselling relationships. Students are prepared for further training and development as mental health professionals in counselling and psychology-related fields.
Criminology seeks to enhance students’ critical understanding of crime and the criminal justice system. Phenomena such as corruption, courts, cybercrime, drug use, fraud, policing and prisons are investigated. This allows students to understand the causes of, and solutions for, crime and social control issues both locally and globally.
Within geography, the Geospatial Data Science programme focuses on understanding and utilising the exponential and transformational changes in data that have arisen in the 21st century. An estimated 80% of data contains geographic information; harnessing this data within a spatial context using geographic information science and machine learning can help generate new insights to solve the most pressing problems facing our world. Students of this programme would be equipped with foundational knowledge of geographic techniques and also a diverse toolbox of skills that they can take with them along a variety of career paths. Graduates will also be well prepared for careers in GIS and related technologies, which will enable them to pursue relevant certifications and professional accreditations.
This major allows students to understand the impact of the media and culture on society. Phenomena such as cinema, creative industries, cultural hubs, gender/sexualities, social media and subcultures are examined through a social lens. Students gain knowledge and approaches for positively influencing social life through enhancing media and culture.
Neuroscience is the interdisciplinary study of the structure and function of the nervous system, with focuses on the neural mechanisms underlying behaviour cognition and perception in humans. Students are given rigorous academic training to prepare them for academic careers in related fields as well as further medical training.
This major allows students to acquire basic knowledge about all areas of psychology, including the biological and cognitive bases of behaviour, developmental changes, social influences and psychopathology. Students may pursue professional training in applied aspects of psychology (e.g., Clinical Psychology, Education Psychology) and advanced research training after completing this programme.
Within geography, the Urban Governance programme focuses on understanding the development and maintenance of cities and other urban places, as well as the human beings and other creatures that call these places home. The rapid urbanization of our planet has generated a wealth of challenges and opportunities with which students in this programme will learn to contend, across diverse arenas from transportation planning, environmental management, and leisure travel to public safety, civic participation, and the pursuit of justice. Graduates of this programme should be well prepared to immediately embark upon meaningful careers in urban planning, public policy, spatial analysis, and many other academic and professional fields.
This minor contains a variety of course elements on wellness, global citizenship, and cultural sensitivity which are offered by different units in social sciences and business. It allows students to become able to manage a culturally and psychologically diverse workforce.
The Minor in Journalism, Media and Artificial Intelligence seeks to introduce students to the evolving intersections of journalism, media and technology. Designed for students from a wide range of disciplines, the minor provides foundational knowledge and experience for interpreting, creating and engaging with media in a digital and AI driven world.