60% Examination
Aims
This subject aims to develop students’ sociological understanding of human society. It equips them with a understanding of concepts and theories in sociology, and facilitates their analysis of social phenomena in contemporary society. Most important of all, it enables them to realize and appreciate the importance of cultural diversity in the changing human world.
Learning Outcomes
On successfully completing this subject, students will be able to:
grasp the basic concepts and theories in sociology.
apply sociological concepts and theories to analyzing social phenomena in both local and global contexts.
demonstrate a humanistic attitude to understanding social issues in human societies.
Indicative Contents
Developing a Sociological Consciousness
The sociological perspective; The history and development of sociology.
Culture, Socialization and Social Relations
Inter-cultural and intra-cultural variations; Agents of socialization; Gender socialization and inequality; Crime, sub-culture and deviance.
Social Stratification and Capitalism
Class structure and mobility; Class inequality and poverty; Interaction among class, gender and race;
Education and social stratification; Professionalization.
Power and Politics
State and nationalism; Distribution of political power; State, economy and welfare.
Social Change and Economic Development
From agricultural to industrial and post-industrial societies; Theories of social change and economic development; Globalization and the information society.
Mass Media and Communication
Teaching/Learning Approach
Theories and concepts are explicated during lectures, which emphasize active interaction between students and lecturers. Lectures are delivered with the aid of audio-visual materials to strengthen students’
sensitivity to current social issues.
In seminars, students are divided into small groups to conduct presentations of assigned topics. They are expected to apply relevant sociological theories and concepts to examining social issues, during group discussion.
Assessment Approach
In addition to tests and examination that assess students’ understanding of sociological concepts and theories, presentations as well as written reports are used to examine students’ competence in conducting sociological analysis of current social issues.
Indicative Reading Recommended Textbooks
Henslin, James M., Essentials of Sociology: A Down-To-Earth Approach, Pearson/Allyn and Bacon (latest ed.).
Tepperman, Lorne, and Blain, Jenny, Think Twice: Sociology Looks at Current Social Issues, Prentice Hall (latest ed.).
References
Abbott, Pamela, and Wallace, Claire, Introduction to Sociology: Feminist Perspectives, Routledge (latest ed.).
Macionis, John J., and Plummer, Ken, Sociology: A Global Introduction, Prentice Hall (latest ed.).
Newman, David M., and O’Brien, Jodi, Sociology: Exploring the Architecture of Everyday Life, Pine Forge Press (latest ed.).
CC2019 Introduction to Psychology
Level 2
Credits 3
Nature Non-science Medium of Instruction English
Teaching Pattern 28 hours of Lecture 14 hours of Tutorial Prerequisites Nil
Assessment 60% Coursework
40% Examination
Aims
This subject develops students’ understanding of the psychology of human behaviour. The subject provides students with a unified theme of what constitute academic psychology, the different conceptual psychological frameworks available and the relevance of these theories to one’s daily life. Through the understanding of human behaviour, it is hoped that students will become more able in communicating and handling social relationship, problem solving and critical thinking.
Learning Outcomes
On successfully completing this subject, students will be able to:
distinguish the differences between popular psychology and academic psychology
understand the fundamentals of psychological theories
understand the use of scientific reasoning in the study of psychology
explain phenomena in daily lives with the use of psychological concepts and theories
see phenomena and issues as a result of complex interplay among individuals, groups and society
Indicative Contents
History and Development of Psychology as a Science
Scope of psychology; History of psychology; Value and contributions of psychology to human life;
Concept of scientific reasoning; Steps in conducting research in psychology.
Biological Foundations of Psychology
Neurons and action potential; Organization of Nervous System; Evolution, genes and behaviour.
Consciousness, Emotion and Motivation
States of consciousness: sleep and dreams; Consciousness, hypnosis and drugs, Components of emotions; Psychological and physiological aspects of emotions; Universality of emotions; Theories of motivation: homeostasis and drives.
Sensation and Perception
Sensory modalities and processes; Function of perception; Principles of perceptual organization;
Perceptual constancy and development.
Learning
Classical conditioning; Operant conditioning; Social and cognitive approaches to learning;
Limitations and applications of each theories.
Memory and Cognition
Attention and selectivity; Memory and its processes; Categorizations of memory; Constructive memory and its implication; Application of theories to improve memory; Organization of long-term memory: schema; Abstraction; Problem-solving and reasoning.
Intelligence and Psychological Measurement
Intelligence: classical and contemporary theories; Measurement of intelligence: history and development; Basic concepts in psychological measurement.
Perspectives of Human Development
Physical Development; Cognitive development; Social and personality development; Emotional development; Moral development.
Human Behaviours in Public
Social perception; Concept of self; Attitudes and behaviour: cognitive dissonance and persuasion;
Social influence; Obedience and compliance; Interpersonal attraction; Group influence.
Key Issues of Mental Health, Stress and Coping
Defining abnormality; Disorders and their types according to DSM classification; Source and effects of stress on psychological functioning and physical health; Coping and managing stress.
Teaching/Learning Approach
Lectures will be used to explain key concepts and theories with the aid of learning and teaching activities that have been prepared and provided on the Web in order to encourage students’ active participation during contact hours. Such activities include self-assessment, class exercises, small group discussion topics, role-play and case demonstration. Moreover, audio-visual materials will also be used to facilitate learning during lecture.
Tutorials are conducted to help students make use of the psychological concepts learned in the lectures.
Tutorials and/or web-based materials and references can be considered as both a supplement to lectures and a self-learning tool for integration and internalization of subject material.
Assessment Approach
Students will be assessed on all the materials presented in lectures, specified pages in the text book, plus video shows and demonstrations in tutorials. A variety of assessment methods will be used such as presentations, case studies, written reports, test and examination, which are designed to both develop and assess students’ critical thinking and communication skills on top of the subject matter in the subject.
Indicative Readings Recommended Textbook
Weiten, Wayne. Psychology: Themes & Variation. Wadsworth. (latest ed.).
Supplementary
Baron, R.A. Psychology. London: Allyn and Bacon. (latest ed.).
Kalat, J.W. Introduction to Psychology. Pacific Grove: Brooks/Cole. (latest ed.).
Stenberg, R. Introduction to Psychology. New York: McGraw Hill. (latest ed.).
Weiten, W. Psychology: Themes and variations (with CD-ROM). Pacific Grove: Thomson Learning.
(latest ed.).
Yeung, K.C. Human Growth and Behaviour I: Vol. I. Hong Kong: Hong Kong Polytechnic University.
(latest ed.).
高尚仁：《心理學新論》香港：商務印書館 ，最新版。
葉重新：《心理學》台北：心理出版社，最新版。