Bachelor of Arts (Hons) - Broad-based

First-year Study Schedules

First-year Courses

In the first year of the BA programme, you may use some of your “free electives” units to take a wide variety of courses in the Arts Faculty before picking your Major at the end of the first year. You may choose from the courses below: 

CHIL1005  Selected Readings in Classical Chinese Poetry

Through the reading and discussion of a selection of classical Chinese poetry, this course is intended to cultivate students’ interest in classical poetry and enhance their capabilities in reading, analysing, and composing classical poetry. Students are thereby trained to achieve a higher goal in literary studies and in intellectual growth. 

CHIL1006  Selected Readings in Classical Chinese Prose

Through the reading and discussion of a selection of classical Chinese prose, this course aims at improving students’ proficiency in reading Chinese classics and thereby enriching their knowledge of classical literature. Students will be guided to understand and discuss the art of classical Chinese prose, equip themselves with efficient reading strategy, and enhance their analytical skills.

WRIT1005 Creativity: Theory and Practice

The course aims to help students acquire a systematic and up-to-date knowledge of the meanings of creativity, with experiential learning that engages students in exploring their own creative potentialities and in practical applications, particularly in writing. Students will study different theories of creativity in literature, philosophy, and other disciplines, and examine the notion through examples from various cultural and artistic forms. Students will also analyse how creative economy commodifies creativity as some kind of asset.

ENGL1005  English, Creativity, and Cultures

This course aims to examine the changing nature of language, and how creativity forms and transforms English languages and cultures. It will question and challenge students’ perceptions of language, literature, and culture. This course reflects upon how creativity plays a role in the production of literary and everyday texts, while laying a foundation for additional linguistic and literary studies.

HUMN1006 Introduction to the Humanities

Introduction to the Humanities is a general introduction to the Humanities by providing students with a basic understanding of the Humanities as an area of study. This course delivers an interdisciplinary and multi-perspective overview of cultural, political, philosophical, and aesthetic factors critical to the formulation of human values and the historical development of the individual and of society. Providing discussion of different themes and disciplines in the Humanities such as literature, the arts, philosophy and cultural studies, this course also introduces the relationship between the Humanities and the university as an idea and an institution.

RELI1005  Quest for Truth and Meaning

This is an introductory course in philosophy and religious studies for students with no background knowledge. It begins by assisting students in discovering the quests for truth and meaning in popular culture. After introducing some basic critical thinking skills, this course guides students to explore and appreciate the multiple relationships between philosophy, religious studies and various dimensions of human existence – individual life, society, and civilization. Students will experience the joy and excitement of studying philosophy and religious studies.

TRAN1005  Introduction to Translation

Translating is an excellent way to try life in another language. This course aims to give students hands-on experience and a chance to find out more about translating. Through a range of different learning activities, students will be introduced to basic translation concepts and approaches to help them develop the ability to translate a variety of texts between Chinese and English. Different aspects of translation as both art and profession will be discussed to enable students to identify problems in translating, develop appropriate strategies, reflect critically on their strategies, and enhance their awareness of the dynamics of communication across languages.

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