University of Hong Kong

This course studies and examines Chinese Buddhist art from historical and cultural perspectives to explore its origin, evolution and influence. The course also studies the transmission of Buddhism as well as its transformations through the investigation of the various art treasures found along the Silk Road. A study of these archaeological artifacts, religious monuments, and art and sculpture from the area reveals the fascinating story of the development of Buddhism from India to Central Asia and eventually to China, Korea and Japan. Assessment: short essay with 2,500-3,000 words (50%), 2 short quizzes (10%), presentation (25%), attendance and participation (15%)

This course covers the computer-assisted techniques of geographic data analysis, collectively known as GIS, which involve the overlaying and merging of spatial data layers. The principles of such an approach are discussed focusing on the nature of spatial data, raster and vector data structures, GPS data collection, data transformation and geocoding, and spatial overlay techniques. Students complete five exercises involving the application of GIS concepts in real-life situations. An examination requiring short-essay responses will be administered during the examination period.

This course examines history, law and culture in the social, political and economic context of Hong Kong and China in the 19th and 20th centuries. It covers historical narratives, legal systems, social customs and cultures of Hong Kong and China.

This course examines culture and justice, including what culture is and how we know, and how justice is understood and how it is demanded, pursued, and meted out (by whom, for whom, to whom).

This course seeks to provide a platform for critical rethinking of the role of business in creating both business value and social value. Porter's “Shared Value Creation” is used as a broad framework to look into the building blocks of creating a win-win situation where economic success and societal benefits co-exist through innovative thinking and solutions. The courses examines how to design innovative businesses that can respond to increasing demands for a fairer and better society, a greener environment and greater job satisfaction, whilst reducing costs, building customer loyalty, attracting and retaining talents, thus creating long-lasting value. Assessment: preparation, attendance, and participation; individual written assignments; group project; group debate.

This course explores the dynamics of modern society by looking at the manifold styles and life in modern culture. It examines questions on what underlies styles, how choices in life are made, and how cultural spaces are closed and created. We live in a time with so many options available to us about how to craft ourselves, yet at times we must make choices under constraints not of our own making. Therefore, central to our endeavor is considering the interplay of structure and agency. The course asks questions such as, are we able to lead the kinds of lifestyles we want to, and why or why not? How do certain lifestyles become naturalized and universalized? Some of us layer various lifestyles that might, at closer inspection, be in tension with one another: how do we reconcile those? Identity formation and consumption in specific cultural contexts are major themes in this class. We will draw from interdisciplinary readings to explore the relationship between them, inquiring how facets of identity such as class, gender and sexuality, race, age, and nationality are shaped through what people buy and the spaces (actual and virtual) we inhabit. Ideas about authenticity and essentialism will be examined as we look at how modern lifestyles serve as a way to experience individuality and inclusion in a community. Through theoretical and ethnographic readings we will study other concepts such as globalization, commodity fetishism, ethical consumption, and modernity.