M.A. in Liberal Studies and Ethics

Updated on 20/03/2011

1. Special Features of the Programme
   　
2. Programme Structure
   　
3. Aims and Objectives
   　
4. Learning Outcomes
   　
5. Assessment and Progression
   　
6. Class Attendance
   　
7. Quality Assurance
   　
8. Teaching Team
   　
9. Admission Requirements and Fee
   　
10. Description of Courses
    　
11. Timetable for 2010-11
    　
12. Calendar
    　
13. Liberal Studies as We See It
    　
14. FAQ
    　
15. Online Application

MALSE HOME

10. Description of Programme

TWO FOUNDATION COURSES:

Approaches to the Study of Values

This course begins with an introduction to both religious and philosophical moral theories and principles in preparing students to analyze important issues that they face in their daily life. In order to enhance their social awareness, an issue-enquiry approach will be used to train them applying those methods derived from these theories and principles in facilitating morally acceptable solutions. This course will also help students learn how to conduct research projects on ethical issues in major areas of Liberal Studies.

Critical Thinking for Liberal Studies

To tackle and resolve many of the issues in Liberal Studies demands strong analytical power and good skills of critical thinking. This course mainly provides for secondary school teachers a basic introduction to critical thinking, with the emphasis on applications to issues in Liberal Studies. Students in this course  are expected to learn the basic skills in logico-linguistic analysis, the detection of fallacies and logical and scientific methods. Examples will be mainly taken from the areas covered by Liberal Studies.

SIX REQUIRED COURSES:

Ethical Issues in Personal Development and Human Relationships

Senior secondary school students typically experience a number of ethical challenges as they grow and begin the transition into adulthood. These may relate not only to the physiological changes they are experiencing, but also to their psychological development, their social adjustment, and their philosophical and religious self-understanding as human beings in a rapidly-changing world. This course mainly prepares secondary school teachers to deal with such issues in a direct and responsible manner as they arise during the teaching of the Liberal Studies curriculum. Emphasis will be placed on both a theoretical grounding in and a practical application of scholarly views on topics such as sexual difference, self-esteem, personal growth, stress-management, ethical decision-making, religious commitments, basic lifestyle choices, and fostering of harmonious relationships with family, friends, and potential life partners.

Values and Socio-Cultural Issues in Hong Kong Today

This course  intends to provide better understanding of contemporary Hong Kong through an examination of various socio-cultural issues. The issues will be studied in a broader social and cultural context and examined critically from an axiological perspective. Students are expected to acquire a sense of value that extends beyond the mere acquisition of knowledge. However, due cognizance will be taken to the need of helping students to be better prepared to teach related course. Some discussion themes covered in this programme have been intended to match the requirements of the curriculum structure for Liberal Studies in secondary schools.

Traditional Values and Moral Challenges in Modern China

This course begins with an introduction to the background of the reform and opening-up drive of China since the end of 1978. Then the impacts of this reform and opening-up process on the evolution of Chinese culture will be examined. It ends with a critical reflection on the modernization and future development of Chinese culture. It mainly deals with the issues intended to match the requirements of the curriculum structure for Liberal Studies in secondary schools.

Globalization: Cultural and Ethical Issues

This course will critically discuss the entrenched and enduring patterns of worldwide interconnectedness in our times known as globalization. Though the dynamic of globalization is basically economic, the cultural and political features of this process will be given equal attention. In the light of the multifaceted impact of globalization, this course will analyze the moral debate between its critics and defenders and will provide critical assessments. It mainly deals with the issues intended to match the requirements of the curriculum structure for Liberal Studies in secondary schools.

Public Health and the Common Good

This course in practical ethics focuses on moral issues concerning public health care and the uses of biotechnology in health care. It mainly deals with the issues intended to match the requirements of the curriculum structure for Liberal Studies in secondary schools. The course will deal with issues in two major categories. The first mainly concerns conceptual issues and moral issues involved in public health care in general. This category will deal with matters such as the concept and the importance of public health, the responsibilities of individuals and government in maintaining and promoting public health, the health care professionals' responsibilities and the patients' rights. The second concerns moral issues in connection with using biotechnology in public health care. This category will deal with matters such as genetic screening, gene therapy, cloning, stem cells and public funding of biotechnological research in the context of public health care. Different moral perspectives such as the liberal, the utilitarian and the communitarian moral perspectives and their implications for the moral issues will be discussed.

Science, Technology and Environmental Ethics

This course deals with the ethical dilemma of modern applications of science and technology in our pursuit of a better world. Science and technology have greatly enhanced the quality of our lives and productivity. Yet, they do so at the expense of the environment and all life forms, including our future generations. The ethical problems of the effects of science and technology on the environment will be tackled critically from historical, social and individual perspectives. This course mainly deals with the issues intended to match the requirements of the curriculum structure for Liberal Studies in secondary schools.

TWO ELECTIVE COURSES:

Religion and Liberal Studies

The study of religion is highly relevant to Liberal Studies. This course introduces to students the multifaceted relationship between religion and other components of culture, society, and the various dimensions of the human self. Different approaches to the study of religion will also be introduced.

Cross-modular Topics in Liberal Studies

Several issues which encompass multiple dimensions of themes pertinent to Liberal Studies will be explored, so that students' understanding of the interconnectedness of these areas of study and means of teaching them to senior secondary school students will be enhanced. Issues studied here will engage explorations into different perspectives of Liberal Studies and the insights gained by understanding their interrelationships. These perspectives will the three main areas of study – self and personal development; society and culture; science, technology and the environment – as well as any one or several of the issues involved in independent inquiry (e.g. media, education, religion, sports, arts, information, and communication technology).

DISSERTATION

(Prerequisite: Research Methods in Liberal Studies and Ethics)
This is an optional class for competent students who have maintained a GPA at or above 2.5 after taking four classes and have determined an appropriate topic through consultation with their chosen faculty advisor. Pertinent themes for the dissertation include research topics related to any of the three main areas of study – self and personal development; society and culture; science, technology and the environment – as well as topics itemized as relevant areas for independent inquiry which also engage more or less of the above three main areas of studies (e.g. media, education, religion, sports, arts, information and communication technology).