This course gives an intensive study on the social development in China after 1978, in particular market transition and period open to the world. Key areas to be examined include such as social stratification and inequalities, state – society relations, family and marriage, and cultural and ideological issues.

This course will examine and critically analyse the multifaceted phenomenon known as leadership. While sharing a number of personalities and attributes, leaders also possess various arts and skills. The goal of this course is to provide students with a better understanding of these personalities, attributes, arts and skills, and to assess their proper role. Through studying experiences of different political, business, cultural and social leaders, students can have a better picture of what leadership is.

This course will be devoted to the investigation of the growth dynamics of cities, their economic, social and environmental problems and the ways to develop sustainable cities. Many daily life examples of Hong Kong and other cities in China and western countries will be used to illustrate various urban issues and problems.

This course introduces Hong Kong history and social development. From both macro and micro perspectives, thoughts are devoted to the sustainability of local culture and individuals. Through the evaluation of the characteristics of different interpretations on major Hong Kong historical events and personalities since 1840 and its impacts on the development of Hong Kong society, students can re-examine their local cultural heritage and their commitment to the community. Field trips and topical studies will be organized to explore the evolution of local society through personal experience.

This course introduces students to environmental sustainability through work at the research centers outside Hong Kong with Service-Learning focus on wild life conservation engaged in research centers. Students are required to conduct and report a series of studies on unique species and their sustainability. This course is a multi-disciplinary course which calls for a collaborative effort between students with interests in nature to preserve biological diversity to maintain environmental sustainability.

Since 1978, China’s population under absolute poverty has been reduced from 250 million to 150 million. China has successful poverty eradication and development experience, but still many Chinese people are living in poverty and the gap between the rich and the poor are widening. Summarization and reflection of the experience of poverty eradication in China, is significant to poor people in China and the world.

Through lecture and seminar, students will be introduced to selected famous plays in the world. The latter part of the course will be dedicated to practical work including rehearsals and technical theatre operations in attempts to stage excerpts from these plays. The Shaw College Lecture Theatre will be used as the teaching, rehearsing and performing venue.

The teacher takes the opportunity to share her expeditions and explorations through pictures, documentary films and lectures on the extreme environments across the world. The coldest extremes like the Arctic and the Antarctic, the hottest extreme like The Taklamakan Desert, the highest extreme like The Mount Everest and the lowest extreme like The Yarlung Zangbo Grand Canyon. Within the lessons, students can learn more about the natural environment, cultural heritage, adventures and scientific expeditions on the world's most pristine yet austere environments.