Bachelor of Arts in Chinese and History

Programme Structure

Study Plan for Normative 4-year degree students 

Selection Criteria for Stream Allocation

Aims of Major

The Major in Chinese and History aims to equip students with both advanced and professional knowledge as well as a wide range of analytical skills. Students will gain a broad understanding of Chinese literature, cultural heritage and history over time and across regions, while also specializing on a particular area or theme. They will learn to think critically, to conduct research with primary and secondary sources, to use appropriate methodologies, to construct sound and logical arguments as well as to write academically and skillfully.

The Chinese stream strives to provide students with a solid and comprehensive training in Chinese language, Chinese literature, history and philosophy. The knowledge is both ancient and modern, and can be widely used in daily life. The training equips students with both in-depth knowledge and research skills for further academic work as well as for career development in the education, public affairs, administration, literature studies, media, editing and creative industries involving the use of Chinese. The Chinese Stream consists of four specialized areas of study, which are (1) Chinese language and literature, (2) Classical and modern Chinese literature, (3) Chinese classics and philosophy, and (4) Language use and writing.

History and Cultural Heritage Stream equips the students with comprehensive and in-depth knowledge of history, particularly Chinese history knowledge.  It also aims to provide the students with the necessary training as cultural professionals with historical background. History seeks to provide the student knowledge on past events, memories, collections, and interpretations of the past. It also trains the students to examine the cause-and-effect relationships in human affairs and addresses the complexity of the past in shaping contemporary society. Although Chinese history is the primary focus of the stream, it also offers the students courses related to world history and public history to acquire historical knowledge to understand other nations’ different histories and cultures.

History as a discipline is in their very process to synthesize other fields of social sciences, including anthropology, sociology, and economics, not to mention cultural history, to which Cultural Heritage belongs. Without a relatively systematic knowledge of History, it is difficult for a student to master the knowledge of Cultural Heritage well. On the other hand, locating Cultural Heritage within and with History, Cultural Heritage can provide a cultural perspective for students of History in return.  This stream is designed based on these two inseparable and interactive parts of “History” and “Cultural Heritage”.
       
History and Cultural Heritage Stream provides the professional training necessary to nurture high caliber history-related professionals with cultural perspective and cultural professionals with historical knowledge. It meets the growing workforce needs resulting from the rapidly expanding capacity in history-related industries including education, libraries, publishing, mass-media, etc., and culture-and-heritage-related industries, including cultural tourism, museum management, exhibition industries, commercial galleries and archives, community heritage programs, entertainment and arts-related professions, cultural and creative industries, in the Greater Bay Area, particularly Hong Kong. It educates students to become historical and cultural professionals who are culturally literate and competent in managing and marketing culture and heritage, with extensive knowledge of Chinese history and Chinese cultural heritage, including knowledge of Hong Kong’s history and cultural heritage. It also educates the students to understand Hong Kong’s unique position in integrating the East and West cultures. For this goal, this stream also strives to educate the students to become cultural professionals with highly proficient English-language ability to promote one’s culture and heritage and understand and respect the historical and cultural differences of other nations. Last but not least, History and Cultural Heritage Stream promotes professionalism in History and Culture and Heritage in support of maintaining Hong Kong’s leading role in culture- and heritage-related professions and provides expert advice on the promotion of culture and the protection and preservation of heritage in the context of Hong Kong both as part of China and as an international city.

Number of Credit Units Required for the Award

Intended Learning Outcomes of Major (MILOs)

Upon successful completion of this major, students should be able to:

Chinese Stream

• Function as proficient, effective, versatile and creative communicators capable of performing a wide-range of Chinese language-related tasks in competitive and multilingual workplace;
• Discover and appreciate the aesthetic, moral and ethical dimensions of Chinese literature, having become more culturally aware;
• Think analytically, critically, and creatively through their exposure to various schools of thoughts in Chinese literature, and through their comparative study of traditional and modern Chinese linguistics;
• Apply research methods such as (i) the use of electronic texts & database, useful websites, and library resources; and (ii) textual criticism & comparison;
• Enhance students' ability in critical thinking and reflect on issues of literary interpretation and debates;
• Enrich their lives through life-long learning.

History and Cultural Heritage Stream

• Demonstrate cultural literacy and competency with professional understanding of the multifarious relations between history and cultural heritage, particularly of Chinese cultural heritage and Hong Kong’s unique role in bridging the cultures of the East and the West;
• Discourse and comment intelligently and expertly on primary sources, history and cultural heritage issues, heritage sites, artworks, and artifacts, with specific emphasis on creativity, originality, and critical awareness;
• Disseminate knowledge, concepts, theories and methods of history and cultural heritage, and promote them to a non-specialist audience using creative and innovative approaches and strategies such as exhibition, online display, and print and interactive media;
• Demonstrate knowledge of academic writings and design research projects on history and cultural heritage of an interdisciplinary nature;
• Plan, organize, promote and manage cultural and heritage programs and activities to accommodate contemporary sensibility and the interests and expectations of different groups of local and international audiences;
• Apply historical research methods such as (i) the use of electronic texts & databases, useful websites, and library resources; and (ii) textual criticism & comparison;
• Enhance students’ ability in critical thinking and reflect on issues of historical interpretation and debates.

Δ For students with recognised Advanced Level Examinations or equivalent qualifications.

ΔΔ For Associate Degree/Higher Diploma graduates admitted to the senior year.
 

• Download a copy of Student Handbook 2024/25

Enquiry: cah@cityu.edu.hk