University of Hong Kong

This course explores classical music and the ways in which it has been—and continues to be—reinvented over time. The course covers how different generations have deliberately or unconsciously chosen what to cherish or reject from the past. Whether it be composers altering their musical language to adhere to the political climate of their time, performers reinterpreting the “great works”, or the music industry repackaging ancient melodies for use in contemporary media, classical music figures in a vast social and cultural landscape that is in a constant state of change. This course examines the history and culture of classical music, focusing on the themes of innovation and tradition, in order to understand the social and cultural processes through which Western art music is made anew again, from the early modern era to the present.

This course focuses on the golden age of Chinese opera, including two major opera traditions: Yuan Zaju and Ming and Qing Dynasties legend. At the same time, it talks about the origin and characteristics of opera, the system of Qu, the South Opera in the late Yuan Dynasty and the early Ming Dynasty, the competition among playwrights, the thriving of local operas in the Qing Dynasty, and the influence of drama on novels. The course encourages the appreciation of Chinese opera tradition. On one hand, it guides students to read and analyze texts; on the other hand, it helps students to learn about the various elements of a Chinese opera performance and the comprehensive art needed to achieve stage effects.

Few events in the modern history of Asia and the Pacific have been as important or as transformative as the Second World War. This course explores the far-reaching effects that this conflict had on the state, society, and individuals in, and between Japan, China, the United States, the Soviet Union, and the British and French Empires. Importantly, this course examines how this conflict helped change war—conceptually and in real terms—from a narrowly defined engagement between military forces to one that encompassed a ‘total experience' involving the mobilization of virtually all segments of society. This course also traces the interconnectedness between the transformation of war and the development of new technology, changed concepts of morality, ‘just war,' and altered perceptions concerning the relationship between the state and society, the soldier and the civilian. Finally, this course helps students understand more fully how and why this war, and the numerous acts of barbarism that defined it, still influence relations today on personal, national, and international levels in Asia and the Pacific.

This course presents statistical software (SAS) for data management and elementary data analysis. This course focuses on using SAS to manage data set input and output, work with different data types, manipulate and transform data, perform random sampling and descriptive data analysis, and create summary reports and graphics.

This course is an introduction to developmental psychology from a life span perspective. Topics include basic concepts and theories of human development; research methodology and issues in the study of developmental change; biological, environmental, and social influences on development; processes of physical development over the life span; attachment and emotional development; development of perception, language, cognition, and morality; development of personality and social relationships.

This course introduces the basic properties of partial differential equations (PDE) and the techniques that have proved useful in analyzing them. The following topics are studied: Fourier series, orthogonal expansions, and eigenvalue problems; Sturm-Liouville theory; separation of variables for partial differential equations of mathematical physics, including topics on Bessel functions and Legendre polynomials.

This course covers various timely, current topics related to international trade, international investment and economic development of various members of APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation). Economies to be covered include Japan, South Korea (Republic of Korea), Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Taiwan (Chinese Taipei), China (People's Republic of China), Singapore and others.

Architectural Design 3 is the second in a two-course sequence forming a comprehensive introduction to the foundation studies of architecture, addressing the core and related issues essential to the training of an architect. The course aims to teach architectural literacy, to develop critical and analytical skills, to enhance visual, spatial and ideological sensibilities with a certain emphasis on the presentation of ideas, concepts, and design both in the visual and verbal format. Field trips form an integral part of the course. Assessment: 100% continuous coursework assessment