University of Hong Kong

This course employs economic analysis to examine the interrelationships between three institutions: the state, law, and the economy. Topics covered include the nature and origin of the state, the differences between liberal and populist conceptions of the democratic state, and the dilemmas of political organization, conflict, and succession in autocratic states. The course also explores the rule of law, the relationship between political and economic order, and rent-seeking groups. Additionally, it delves into the distinctions between common law and civil law systems and the consequences of these differences. The course also investigates the modernization hypothesis, critical juncture theory, and the factors that contribute to the transition between dictatorships and democracies (and vice versa). Furthermore, it examines the role of economic, behavioral, and structural factors in these transitions, as well as the reasons why revolutions often come as surprises. The course also seeks to answer whether democracy promotes growth, the impact of inherited legal systems on growth, and the relationship between rulers, citizens, and interest groups in the pre-industrial world. Utilizing an analytic narratives approach, the course draws upon comparative case histories from various regions, including Europe, America, China, India, and the Middle East, to offer a comprehensive understanding of these topics.

This course develops students’ skills in musical improvisation through an integrated approach combining lectures and practical workshops. Lectures focus on the application of core musical materials, encouraging students to explore a broad range of stylistic and structural elements through multiple perspectives. Workshops provide opportunities for experiential learning, with an emphasis on 222 ensemble-based improvisation and real-time musical interaction. Students actively participate using their primary instrument or voice, applying concepts in a hands-on, collaborative environment that supports both individual creativity and group cohesion. 

This course delves into the shadows of the criminal underworld and explore the complexities of global crime. It is structured into three parts. The first section introduces the foundational theories, concepts, and terminology in global crime and justice. It covers the growing importance of knowledge production beyond traditional Anglo-American bases of power and how colonialism has shaped our understanding of the crime. In the second part, the course delves deeper into responses to global crime, from the controversial death penalty for drug trafficking to the rising militarization of borders. Students investigate how vulnerable populations can become ensnared within these complex frameworks. It untangles the complex and interwoven nature of global crimes through an in-depth study of trafficking in its many forms (human, wildlife, diamonds and antiques). This course investigates how global crimes can blur the boundaries between victims and offenders and shape borders through policing responses. Finally, it investigate state crimes, online ‘sleuthing’, and the phenomenon of ‘true crime’ consumption to illustrate how key social changes such as globalization, technology and media influence crime policing, perception and victims. Global crime offers a multidisciplinary, critical and comparative perspective in criminology.

Public administration in Hong Kong is shaped by its colonial legacies and by the Hong Kong government’s position as a local government of the People’s Republic of China. Since 2020, authorities have centralized power over Hong Kong and within Hong Kong to implement executive-led government. Political appointees and civil servants play critical roles in the policy process, but they co-produce most policy with civil society. This course examines the role of civic engagement and elite cooptation in the policy process. The course combines extensive reviews of scholarly research on Hong Kong with lectures (including guest lectures), discussion, and a group project that helps expand the collection of articles about public 102 administration in Hong Kong on Wikipedia.

This first year course introduces fundamental terms and strategies for reading deeply into literature, film, and other texts. Basic theories of literary criticism, film, visual and culture studies are introduced. Students explore different approaches and reading strategies and learn how to apply critical tools to a diverse range of texts and mediums. Topics include the following: Basic and extended definitions of text, author, and reader; cinema, modernity, urban culture; gendered readings; race and ethnicity; popular culture; visuality and materiality; photography; ecocriticism and narratives of travel and migration. Writing assignments are designed to help students secure their knowledge of the vocabulary and tools of analysis necessary for more complex work in the field of comparative literary and cultural studies.

This intensive course is designed for international undergraduate students, exchange students and visiting students (non-heritage learners) who have completed CHIN9512 or who can demonstrate equivalent competence through the placement test. It consolidates students’ mastery of the Jyutping phonetic romanization transcription, and at enhancing their ability to express themselves fluently in Cantonese and accurately write messages in Jyutping. The course concentrates on growth in oral communication and listening comprehension abilities through a wide variety of communication-based assessments and assignments such as Cantonese speaking Tests and oral presentations. Practical sentence patterns and vocabulary is also introduced.

This course covers the fundamentals of environmental biology/life science and importantly the relationship and connection between environment and life. It explores the various biological/ecological principles and concepts of environmental science which are needed for critical discussion and evaluation of current global environmental issues including human ecology, urbanization, ecological economics, and climate change. This course is a combination of lectures, group discussion/debate, field trips, and tutorials. It  explores the fundamental interactions between organisms and their environment. Then explores environmental constraints on life at various ecosystems (like marine, freshwater, and terrestrial). Students learn how factors such as urbanization, climate change, and anthropogenic impacts affect life at population and ecosystem levels. Similarly, it exposes the incredible interrelationships that are basic to ecological principles and the impact that human development has upon these interrelationships. Lastly, it stimulates thinking about current life science issues such as biodiversity loss, organisms adaptation to climate change, tragedy of commons (human ecology) and applied life science topics such as biomaterial science.

This course provides a strategy-oriented exploration of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) in business, with emphasis on recent advances in generative AI. Geared towards 3rd and 4th year undergraduate students, the curriculum focuses on how AI creates value across industries. Rather than deep theory, the course stresses practical application – students learn to identify opportunities for AI, build simple prototypes, evaluate AI vendors, and critically assess ethical implications. The course surveys AI use cases in multiple sectors (finance, marketing, operations, etc.) to ensure broad exposure. By leveraging real-world case studies and hands-on Python exercises, students develop future-ready skills to bridge the gap between technical AI capabilities and business strategy. This course equips students to harness these technologies effectively and responsibly. Prerequisites are IIMT1640 Probability and Statistics for Business or equivalent and IIMT2602 Business Programming or equivalent.

This course provides the key concepts and principles of food microbiology with special emphasis on the interaction between microorganisms and food. Microbial food spoilage and foodborne diseases are also discussed in detail. This course covers detection and enumeration of microbes in foods, factors that influence microbes in foods, spores and their significance, physical methods of food preservation, chemical preservation and natural antimicrobials, and foodborne pathogens. Prerequisites: BIOC2600 or BIOL2220 or MEDE2301.

The course provides an overview of the innovative developments in biotech industry and useful tools in learning how an exciting research idea can be turned into a viable business. It introduces the entrepreneurial process with a focus on the biotechnology industry. The course provides a thoughtful, practical guide to the process of successfully launching an entrepreneurial venture. It places a special emphasis on the decision to become a biotech entrepreneur and how to develop successful business ideas. It also discusses the process of moving from an idea to a biotech firm. Topics on intellectual properties, patent laws, patent application process, licensing and fundraising are covered. Throughout the course, guest entrepreneurs, managers and directors of the biotech industry present case studies and explain their involvement in various biotech and pharmaceutical companies. Prerequisites: BIOL1110, NOT for Year 1 students.