Master of Social Sciences in European Studies (Sino-European Relations)
 

Europe is rapidly becoming a major actor in world affairs by coalescing as one system. With the introduction of EURO and ten new members admitted in 2004, the enlarged European Union (EU) is now the largest market in the world, and therefore of vital importance for Hong Kong and China. Its further growth and development will have a decisive influence on the political and economic affairs of Asia and the Pacific Rim. The EU is expected to become China’s leading foreign trade partner in the coming years. With more than 1,000 European companies already located in Hong Kong and increasing integration with the mainland, the city is called to play a major role in these developments.

The Master of Social Sciences in European Studies (Sino-European Relations) is a two-year part-time postgraduate programme offered by the Faculty of Social Sciences as a multi-disciplinary programme and is located in the Department of Government and International Studies.

The programme is designed to enhance the professional capability of those who focus on contemporary Europe and China, as well as European-Chinese cultural, economic and political relations. Comparative Political Sociology, International Relations, International Political Economy, Business and Law are the main disciplines taught.

The programme provides contacts with professionals, and employs case studies and onsite visits to develop students’ empirical and practical knowledge. Analytical skills and aptitudes for research are developed in writing a Dissertation or Project.

 
The objectives of the programme are:
 
1. To impart and update awareness and understanding of contemporary European, Chinese and Sino-European issues relevant to careers in these and related areas;
2. To prepare experts who can reinforce the links between China and the countries of the European Union;
3. To provide continuing professional development opportunities in the field of European-Chinese and European-Hong Kong relations;
4. To further contribute to Hong Kong¡¦s role as a major international commercial and cultural crossroads; and
5. To develop analytical skills of students so that they can contribute to research and gain more general knowledge of the field.
 

The programme is taught in English and uses a variety of methods, such as lectures, seminars, case studies and study visits. Emphasis is put on interactivity in class and independent study with dissertation or project writing. Mentors are allocated to each student throughout. Visiting guest lecturers are invited from Europe. The Department offers privileged access to dedicated study facilities, such as the European Documentation Centre, EU data bases and Hong Kong’s largest library collection on European affairs. The programme also offers the possibility to participate to an integrated study tour to institutions and enterprises in the European Union.

Students can apply to study full-time in Europe in the first semester of the second year, with an emphasis on either political or economic/business affairs. The Department currently offers places in France and Germany. Further opportunities in central Europe, Sweden, the Netherlands and the UK are developed.

Students are required to attend class on weekend evenings and/or Saturdays.

 
The structure of curriculum is as follows:
 
I) Core Courses 12 units
II) Free Electives 9 units
III) Dissertation/Project 6 units
IV) Study Tour (optional) 0 unit
    ¢w¢w¢w¢w¢w¢w¢w
    27 units
 
Requirements
 

For graduation, students must complete a total of 27 units and satisfy the requirements of the dissertation or its equivalent within the specified duration of the programme and obtain a cumulative GPA of 2.50 or above.

 
The curriculum is composed of three main elements:
1. Seven taught courses to be selected among a total of ten.
2. A Dissertation of 15,000 to 20,000 words on a course of the student¡¦s choice or a Project of 10,000 to 15,000 words on the professional experience of the student.
3. Attendance on the study tour to Europe (optional). This study tour provides students with an opportunity to go on an extended educational visit to major destinations in Europe in order to study the very last developments of integration. It highlights the complexities and difficulties in constructing a European order in the aftermath of communism in East Central Europe. The tour is designed to enhance students¡¦ ability to perceive, evaluate and understand Europe in transition through lectures in local universities, site visits, meetings with professional milieus, use of media and discussions.
 
I. Core Courses 12 units
  EURO 7010 European Integration & European Governance 3 units
  EURO 7020 Topics in Political Economy: Europe & China 3 units
  EURO 7030 Europe & China in the International System: Political & Economic Relations 3 units
  EURO 7040 European & Chinese Legal Issues 3 units
  EURO 7050 Methodology for Political Research 0 unit
         
II. Free Electives 9 units
  Either      
  Any three of the following six courses:
 
Area 1: Government and Public Policy  
  EURO 7060 Politics & Public Policy in China/Hong Kong 3 units
  EURO 7070 Politics of Industrial Relations & Welfare Systems in Europe & China 3 units
  EURO 7080 East-Central Europe & EU Enlargement 3 units
  Area 2: Economic and Cultural Relations  
  EURO 7090 European & Chinese Identities: Comparative Perspectives 3 units
  EURO 7100 Case Studies in Language & Cultural Policy 3 units
  EURO 7110 Case Studies in EU-China Economic & Trade Relations 3 units
  Or      
  Study Abroad  
  Two courses in one of the partnership universities:  
  EURO 7130 Study Abroad Course I 3 units
  EURO 7140 Study Abroad Course II 3 units
  One of the following courses:  
  EURO 7080 East-Central Europe & EU Enlargement 3 units
  EURO 7110 Case Studies in EU-China Economic & Trade Relations 3 units
         
III. Dissertation/Project 6 units
  EURO 7120 Dissertation/Project 6 units
         
IV. Study Tour (optional) 0 unit
  EURO 7150 Study Tour 0 unit
        ¢w¢w¢w¢w¢w¢w
        27 units
 
 
©2015 Hong Kong Baptist University
Source: Calendar/Bulletin 2015-2016
Last modified: July 2015