Hong Kong

With the changing demands and expectations of civil engineers, law has become an essential part of the body of knowledge important to the discharge of daily tasks of civil engineers. Whether working for governments, private developers, consultants, contractors or sub-contractors, a core competence for the planning, design, construction and maintenance of projects is the ability to apply principles of laws to their works. These enable the proper management of projects and the areas of disputes arising thereunder. This course introduces the basic principles of laws with particular emphasis on those, which are relevant to the construction industry.

What is human sexuality? How can we understand erotic desires? Why are some forms of sexuality being constructed as ‘normal' while others are considered as ‘deviant'? This course introduces how human sexuality is formed by social, economic, political and cultural factors. Course readings address different understandings of sexuality in various cultures with specific focus on Asian cultures. Classic theoretical texts on the sociology of sexuality are also examined in this course. Key topics include beauty myth and body politics, transgenderism and intersexuality, sexual morality and religion, homosexuality, sexual citizenship and sexual politics, sex work and pornography, urban space of desire, and sexuality education.

This course provides an anthropological approach to China's culture and society. Specific focus is placed on major cultural and social institutions of China, both traditional and contemporary, such as family, gender and marriage, kinship, lineage and clan, economic system, religion, social stratification, and value orientation. Text: Zang, Xiaowei, Understanding Chinese Society. Assessment: two essays (50% each).

This course discusses the impact of global environmental changes on biological systems and their ecosystems. Focus is on how global warming, and associated changes such as altered rainfall, sea level rise, and ocean acidification, have changed the biological communities of the Earth's various ecosystems, from forests to coral reefs. The impact at biological levels from molecules to cells, organisms, populations, and communities are explored.The course introduces models for projecting future changes in Earth systems, biological communities and ecosystem services under climate change. While the major focus is on climate change, the course also examines other aspects of global environmental change, such as habitat deterioration. Students are required to present case studies of global change biology based on latest research findings.

Modern forensic science covers multiple scientific disciplines such as chemistry, physics, biology, medicine, computing, engineering etc. This course explores the world of modern forensic science through a series of selected forensic science topics interplayed with crime case studies and problem based learning tutorials. Additionally, hands-on practicals enable students to carry out the collection of, and examination and analysis on, several types of forensic materials, including hairs and fibers, fingerprints and soil samples, which can be found in everyday life. Through the hands-on work, students discover the possible gap between theory and practice, which helps them develop understanding of the scientific topics taught in lectures or read from books as well as applying and verifying ideas and theories in practice. In addition to learning the underlying scientific, legal and ethical concepts of crime investigation, student use the knowledge gained in the course to critically analyze assigned crime cases and generate logical solutions. All course contents including practicals are designed to be suitable for students having little or no science training.

Twenty-first-century capitalism has been marked by an increasing international economic interdependence. Modern multinational firms from high-income countries have spread their businesses across the world just as the Chinese economy has undergone dramatic transformations. This course examines the rise of modern multinational companies, the revolutionary changes in the structure of global business systems since the 1970s, and China's enterprise reforms in a global context. It includes theoretical and macro-level analysis with detailed empirical analysis, as well as considerable examination of in-depth case studies from large Chinese firms.

This course studies classical Chinese novels and their artistic achievements, with a specific focus on Sanguo yanyi, Shuihu zhuan, and Honglou meng. It provides students with a general and systematic knowledge of the art and development of this genre.

This course examines Chinese culture and its Buddhist influence and impact. For over two thousand years, Buddhism has interacted with all levels of Chinese culture such as literature, philosophy, mores and behavioral norms, arts and architecture, and religions of all classes. As a result, Buddhism has become one of the three pillars of traditional Chinese culture and its influence is seen in many aspects and at all levels of Chinese culture. The course introduces Chinese culture and Chinese people's way of life and belief through historical analysis, and theoretical enquiries into the key aspects of China's long interaction and exchange with Buddhism. The course studies the open attitude of both Buddhism and Confucianism as a basis for integration and mutual assimilation. Course topics include: Buddhist impact on Chinese culture; intellectual exchange between Buddhism and Chinese culture; Buddhist and Chinese attitude to life; Buddhist and Chinese ethics of filial piety; Buddhism and Chinese visual art; Chan and Chinese culture; Buddhist influence on Chinese language; Buddhist influence on Chinese literature; Buddhist influence on religions and popular beliefs; Guanyin belief in Chinese life; Ullambana (ghost) Festival and Chinese ancestor worship.

This is an advanced study of Chinese painting. It focuses on studying the techniques of painting by using fine-line and wash, one of two primary painting techniques in the Chinese tradition. Technique and forms of expression such as ink, light coloring, heavy coloring are included. Students are encouraged to initiate artistic creation by incorporating different forms of expression.