This is an introduction to research methodology in the social science. It is intended to provide foundational training in the major approaches in the social sciences to the collection and analysis of quantitative and qualitative data, and the specification and testing of theories. The course overs the logic of scientific inquiry and various research techniques such as experimentation, scientific sampling, survey research, field methods, archival data, and quantitative analysis that are commonly used by researchers in economics, education, political science, psychology, and sociology.

This course teaches basic concepts and skills required to conduct quantitative research in social science. Students will learn to design and conduct statistical analyses to test hypotheses. They will acquire experience in the use of statistical software to carry out analysis of social data.

This course introduces the concepts and theories in analyzing the pattern of social and economic inequalities in the distribution of resources/rewards/opportunities which are scarce but widely desired, and the process of status attainment or social mobility.

This course offers a comprehensive account of the transformations in the economic institution of China since the late 1970s.

This course introduces to students basic theories about political changes, such as democratization and reform, or their absence. It also discusses the dynamics of such political changes by examining the interactions among different social forces and political actors, including citizens.

This course aims to explore the interrelationship between population changes/ migration and economic development in the era of globalization. Special attention is given to labor migration in China and international migration in China/HKSAR.

This is a comparative politics course targeting toward advanced postgraduate students. With its long history, comparative politics has covered many different topics. The course will focus on important substantive questions to understand political phenomena around the world. The course consists of five broad and complex topics related to politics: i) basic logic and methodologies in comparative politics; ii) state formation and regime types; iii) election and government system; iv) policy-related issues including economic development and redistribution; and v) challenges in comparative political economy including poverty, foreign aid, natural resources, civil war and political connection/corruption.

This course examines the economic situations of low and middle-income economies, considering many important topics in the field of development economics. It addresses questions such as what factors help explain why some countries are rich and others poor and whether economic policies can affect these factors. We will study key aspects of life for poor households in the developing world, such as inequality, gender and the intra-household division of resources, education, health, savings and credit, institutions and globalization. Students will also study recent research in the field and examine empirical evidence on these topics.

A sociologically informed discussion about the role that gender plays in the organization of social life, including education, work and employment, the global economy, technology and innovation, media, family life and international relations.

This course examines various approaches to study the rise and fall of democracy in disciplines of political economy, political science, political sociology, and historical sociology. It pays special attention to specific historical or political context in which democratization or collapse of democracy occurred. This course also encourages the students to integrate normative understanding of democracy with positivist studies of democracy.

This course provides an overview of theories of personality and examines how personality develops through different perspectives.

This course examines the interactions between humans and physical environments from a psychological perspective. It discusses how human behavior is affected by, and affects, their natural and built surroundings. It also explores the human dimension of environmental issues.

This course introduces a psychological perspective in understanding human behavior. It evaluates how psychological research is conducted, and covers major psychological concepts and theories.

This course examines the psychology of well-being in the Chinese context. Students will be engaged in a series of challenges designed to enhance their understanding of well-being, to increase their happiness, and to bring about positive changes in their lives.