Bachelor of Arts (BA) - The University of Hong Kong

311PSYC0036.Special topics in psychology (6 credits)This course provides an opportunity to study in some depth an area of psychology of interest to studentand a staff member alike. Individual topics may have special requirements for eligibility. Studentstaking this course may select one topic from the list of topics to be announced in the semesterimmediately prior to that in which they are taken.Assessment for this course is based entirely on coursework.Prerequisite: PSYC1001 or PSYC1002 or PSYC1003.PSYC0038.Psychology of language and bilingualism (6 credits)A study of the processes involved in language comprehension and production, including the acquisitionof a native as well as second language. The cognitive bases of language learning and use, thepsychology of reading and reading disabilities, the comparison of psychological aspects of the Chineselanguage and other languages. Cognitive functions of the bilingual, the bilingual brain, psychologicalfactors in second language learning.Prerequisite: PSYC1001 or (PSYC1002 & PSYC1003).PSYC0039.Medical psychology (6 credits)This course covers a number of aspects of medicine that are intimately related to psychology. It willexamine aspects of medical practice and professionalism; however, the overall emphasis will be onpsychological contributions to the disease process, and concepts of health and illness. Topics to becovered may include traditional psychosomatic disorders, stress and illness, drugs and drug addiction,pain, sleep disorders, psychosurgery, hospitalization of children and adults, doctor-patientcommunication, and cultural and psychological features of alternative medicine. The course willcomprise an in-depth study of a few of these areas, chosen according to interests, complemented by aseries of video-tapes, and incorporating a small group project in one area of interest.Prerequisite: PSYC1001 or (PSYC1002 & PSYC1003).PSYC0040.Cross-cultural psychology (6 credits)The rationale, scope, and history of cross-cultural psychology. Conceptual issues and research methods.Cultural relativism and the search for universals. The emic-etic distinction. Comparability of test scoresacross cultures. Non-Western approaches and contributions. Cross-cultural studies in personality,cognition, social behaviour, and psychopathology. Current status, applications, and ethical issues.Prerequisites: PSYC1001 or (PSYC1002 & PSYC1003)PSYC0041.Consumer psychology (6 credits)This course examines the psychological processes underlying consumer buying behavior and thecultural and social factors mediating these processes. Consumer behavior will be studied from fourpsychological perspectives: motivational, information processing, attitude and attitude change, anddecision-making. Students will learn to apply these perspectives to Hong Kong cases through tutorialexercises and group research projects. The course offers both theoretical and practical orientations tomarketing and market analysis.Assessment: 70% coursework, 30% examination.Prerequisite : PSYC1001 or (PSYC1002 & PSYC1003).