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

326SOCI0058.Crime and deviance II (6 credits)Building on the introductory course, the course aims to increase both the applied and theoretical aspectsof understanding the causes of particular crimes and the remedies deployed to minimize their impact onindividuals and society. Topics covered include violent and sex crimes, property crimes, illegal druguse, organized and elite crime, corruption and new crimes (e.g. environmental, consumer and computercrime). The second half of the course examines topics in the administration of justice by focusing onthe adjudicative process and the role of punishment including: the general rules of evidence; theprinciples and law of sentencing; and the efficacy and ethics of offender treatment and punishment.Related topics may include issues such as: police and judicial discretion; the sociology of prisons;community and intermediate punishments.Assessment: 50% coursework, 50% examination.Prerequisite: SOCI0057.SOCI0060.Fraud, corruption and computer crime (6 credits)This course introduces students to the nature of crimes committed by white-collar people such asbusinessmen, government officials, politicians, technicians and professionals. It examines in depththree major types of white-collar crimes: fraud, corruption and computer crime.Assessment: 40% coursework, 60% examination.SOCI0061.Life styles and religious practices (6 credits)In response to the highly stressful modern urban environment, there has been a movement towardsalternative life style practices that are closely connected to various forms of religious practices. Thiscourse explores the reasons for the attractions of these religious practices, how they influence urban lifestyles, and why individuals and groups are attracted to the movements.Assessment: 40% coursework, 60% examination.SOCI0062.Media development and cultural change in contemporary China (6 credits)Economic reform and the rapid improvement of living standards have transformed the social andcultural landscape of contemporary China dramatically. This course introduces students to change inthese areas since 1979. It focuses in particular on the rapid development of mass media and theemergence of a consumer culture.Assessment: 40% coursework, 60% examination.SOCI0063.Multicultural societies and modern identities (6 credits)This course explores how individuals and groups, through the use of traditional and modern culturalidioms, attempts to negotiate, adapt and create their own identities in modern multicultural societies.Topics to be covered may include multiculturalism and the modern nation state; local, ethnic and globalidentities; religion and violence; popular culture and modern values; food and identity and interculturalromances, marriage and family. Videos and films will be used as teaching materials.Assessment: 40% coursework, 60% examination.