Have you ever wondered why some people have more influence than others? Why are some decisions made, while others are ignored? The answer lies in power - a fundamental force that shapes our personal lives, communities, workplaces, and, of course, politics.
Understanding how power works, and how to navigate it, is at the heart of government and international studies (GIS). As a GIS student, you will delve into the intricate workings of political systems, explore the complexities of international relations, and dissect the strategies behind policy-making. Our curriculum offers a unique international focus. You will gain a deep understanding of global governance and geopolitics, with a focus on the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, and beyond.
It is not just about theory - GIS is built around practical skills that will set you apart in the job market. You will develop expertise in political and policy analysis, project management, data analysis and visualization, cross cultural competency, and strategic communication and diplomacy. With a strong focus on experiential learning, you will have opportunities to engage in internships, research projects, and study abroad programmes that will give you a competitive edge in the job market. Whether you are interested in the mechanics of government, passionate about advocating for social justice, or aspiring to influence global affairs, our programme provides a versatile foundation for a wide range of career paths.
Join us and discover a rewarding academic experience that will equip you for success in an increasingly complex and interconnected world.
Discover where our degree can take you - hear from our graduates
| Programme Structure | ||
| 1 | Social Sciences Common Core | 4 units |
| 2 | Major Courses | 57 units |
| 3 | Honours Project | 6 units |
| 4 | University Core Courses | 13 units |
| 5 | General Education Courses | 18 units |
| 6 | Free Elective# | 30 units |
| Total: | 128 units | |
#Students may take additional Healthy Lifestyle courses and/or General Education (Level 1 or 2) courses in any categories, subject to a maximum of 6 units, to fulfil the Free Electives requirement.
Detailed Study Plan
Major Required Courses
Course Code | Course Title | Units |
POLS 1005 | Foundations of Political Science | 3 |
POLS 2006 | Introduction to Political Economy | 3 |
POLS 2007 | Introduction to Research Methods | 3 |
POLS 2015 | Government & Politics of Hong Kong | 3 |
POLS 2017 | Foundations of International Relations | 3 |
POLS 2025 | Foundations of Political Philosophy | 3 |
POLS 3006 | Statistical and Survey Methods for Political Science | 3 |
POLS 3017 | Government & Politics of China | 3 |
| Total | 24 |
Major Elective Courses
Course Code | Course Title | Units |
EURO 2007 | The Political Economy of the European Union | 3 |
EURO 2015 | Model European Union | 3 |
EURO 3205 | Comparative Politics of Post-Communist Central Europe | 3 |
EURO 4005 | Current Issues of European Integration | 3 |
POLS 2016 | Social Movements and Contentious Politics | 3 |
POLS 2026 | Ethics, Social Well-being, and Public Health | 3 |
POLS 2205 | European Politics and Society: French Political and Government System | 3 |
POLS 2206 | European Politics and Society: German Political Systems and Society | 3 |
POLS 3206 | Government and Politics of Japan | 3 |
POLS 3225 | Religion and Politics | 3 |
POLS 3226 | War and Peace | 3 |
POLS 3227 | Greater China: State and Society | 3 |
POLS 3235 | Comparative Democracies: The United Kingdom and the United States | 3 |
POLS 3236 | Gender and Politics | 3 |
POLS 3237 | Social and Political Developments in Contemporary China | 3 |
POLS 3245 | China and the World | 3 |
POLS 4207 | Comparative Public Administration | 3 |
POLS 4225 | Political Cultures and Economies in Transition | 3 |
POLS 4226 | Public Policy and Governance | 3 |
POLS 4227 | Security Studies | 3 |
POLS 4236 | Theories of International Relations | 3 |
POLS 4237 | Topics in Asian Politics | 3 |
POLS 4245 | Topics in Comparative and Global Politics | 3 |
POLS 4246 | Topics in European Politics | 3 |
POLS 4247 | Comparative Electoral and Party Politics | 3 |
POLS 4255 | Comparative Regionalism and Regionalization | 3 |
POLS 4256 | Comparative Authoritarianism and Democratization | 3 |
POLS 4257 | International and Global Justice | 3 |
POLS 4265 | Topics in Political Theory and Philosophy | 3 |
POLS 4266 | China-EU, Prospects. Opportunities and Challenges | 3 |
The Honours Project constitutes a significant part of the GIS bachelor programme. It is a two-semester course that requires 9-10 months of work. Students are expected to conduct independent research on a proposed topic and to spend about 6-9 hours each week on the research throughout this period.
Each student will be assigned a Chief Adviser, who will be responsible for monitoring the student's progress on the Honours Project. The normal scheduled interaction between each student and his or her Chief Adviser may vary according to the Department, the student and the nature of the topic selected. This interaction may take the form of an individual or small group tutorial.
Handbook: Honours Project Handbook
The following tables explain how the double counting works for the BSocSc (Hons) in Government and International Studies and Minor Programme in Political Science for the GE level 3 GE Capstone courses GCAP3195 “Hong Kong and the World”, GCAP3196 “Building Sustainable Cities (Interdisciplinary Independent Study)” and GCAP3197 “GE Capstone Interdisciplinary Independent Study (GIS)”.
* Remarks: All replacement courses will NOT be counted towards major/minor/concentration requirements and hence should be different from what are double-counted towards.
| BSocSc (Hons) in Government and International Studies (Academic Year 2019-20 onward) | ||
|---|---|---|
Course Type | Specific Course Group | * Replacement Courses |
Required Courses | #N-SOSC-CORE-002 Social Sciences Experiential Learning in Action | Any GIS Major Elective Courses |
| Minor Programme in Political Science | ||
|---|---|---|
Course Type | Specific Course Group | * Replacement Courses |
Elective Courses | Not Specified | |
Students seeking to pursue the study of a minor programme would need to fulfil 15 units of courses specified by the GIS Department, and note that no registration priority will be given to enrolment in minor courses. Students are required to take two required courses (i.e. POLS 1005 and POLS 2017) and three elective courses. Among the three elective courses taken, at least one course must be taken at Level 3 or 4.
Upon completion of the 15 units required for the minor programmes, students should apply to the Academic Registry for approval.
For further information of minor programme studies, please read the Useful Notes on Taking Minor Programmes provided by Academic Registry.
