REL

1210

Major Themes in World Religions

(3,2,1)

This course gives students a comprehensive introduction to the nature and variety of religious belief and practice.  It allows them to learn on the one hand that there are incredible diverse human religious expression and belief.  Yet on the other that religions appear in different societies over time share many common concerns.

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1220

Religious Rituals and Practices in Hong Kong

(3,2,1)

This course aims to provide an understanding of rituals and practices of various religious traditions in Hong Kong, their social and cultural significance for the local population. The course will focus on three areas: Chinese religions, including Confucianism, Taoism, Buddhism and popular religion; (2) Christianity, including Catholicism and Protestantism; (3) religious minorities, such as Islam, Judaism, Hinduism and Zoroastrianism.

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1240

Buddhism

(3,2,1)

This is an introductory study of Buddhism, giving a comprehensive view of the historical development and fundamental ideas of Buddhism.  While the course puts emphasis on the philosophy of the major schools of Buddhism, it also will give attention to their religious practices.

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1250

Major Streams in Chinese Philosophy

(3,2,1)

This course introduces the main streams of Chinese philosophy such as Confucianism, Taoism and Chinese Buddhism. The course gives a survey of the development and interrelation of the main streams of Chinese thought from Confucius to the modern period. While the course puts emphasis on the main streams of Chinese philosophy mentioned above, it will also give attention to the philosophies of Mo Tzu, Kung-sun Lung Tzu and Hui Shih with the hope of providing students with a broader background to understand Chinese philosophy.

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1260

Approaches to the Study of Religion

(3,2,1)

An introduction to different approaches to the study of religion - the internal approach that includes textual, hermeneutical and theological studies; the different perspectival approaches, namely, the anthropological, psychological, phenomenological, sociological, and feminist; and religious dialogue that looks at religion and quasi-religions from different angles. The course will consider a number of examples in which the combinations of these approaches, interacting with one another, help students understand what is happening in typical religious acts.

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2231

Biblical Theology: Old Testament

(3,2,1)

This course deals with the religious ideas of the Old Testament approached as theological texts representing different traditions of ancient Israel. The Pentateuch is studied according to the traditions represented by its literary components. The Historical Books are studied as theological interpretations of the significant events in the history of Israel. The Wisdom Literature is approached as theological, sometimes critical, reflections of Israel's own traditions. The Psalms are appreciated as Israel's response to her God in worship. The Apocalyptic writings are understood as expressing Israel's hope in face of extreme political pressure. Religious ideas such as creation, revelation, salvation, election, and covenant etc. are investigated in the context of Israel's relationship with her God.

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2232

Biblical Theology: New Testament

(3,2,1)

This course is designed to cover the major components of New Theology, including the four Gospels, Acts, the Epistles and the Apocalypse. Major theological motifs will be examined in the light of their immediate historical contexts. The exegesis of assigned scriptural passage is not intended to be a mere appendage to the Programme proper, but rather involves the exegesis of passages that are directly relevant to the content of the course. It is thus an integral part of the Programme and should be made one of the top priorities of the participants.

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2240

History of Christian Thought

(3,2,1)

This course is a study of major theological issues that have emerged in the history of the Christian Church. Focus will be given to epistemological and soteriological issues, together with other contextual problems, faced by theologians of each period who struggled to relate Christian faith to their life-situations.

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2250

Hermeneuticsö

(3,2,1)

An introduction to the art and science of interpretation. The course examines various contemporary and historically significant theories of interpretation, together with their philosophical assumptions. Students will be equipped with practical principles and guidelines for reading, understanding, and criticising biblical and other texts. Special attention will be given to applying such principles to the interpretation of symbols, metaphors, myths, an'd other types of religious language. Examples will be drawn from the Bible and other specifically religious and/or philosophical texts.

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2310

Islam's

(3,2,1)

This course seeks to pursue a historical study of Islamic doctrines, religious practices and institutions.  Emphasis is placed on understanding the nature and teachings in the Qur'an, the sacred traditions (hadith), and some of their representative interpretations in medieval and modern settings.

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2320

Meaning and Knowledge

(3,2,1)

This course focuses on methodological problems in relation to the philosophy of language and epistemology.  It also will give attention to the issues, problems or ideas in the philosophy of language and epistemology that are most relevant to understanding the major world faiths and religious traditions.

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2330

Morality and Society

(3,2,1)

This course focuses on (i) moral and socio-political dimensions of major faiths and (ii) issues, problems or ideas in moral and socio-political philosophy that are highly relevant to understanding these religious traditions.

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2340

Existence and Reality

(3,2,1)

This course investigates the different ways religious traditions conceive of and explain problems which relate finite life to transcendent realms.  Philosophical methods in approaching issues related to existence and reality will be explained, so that students can proceed to explore both exegetically and critically differing religious accounts of the relationship between existence and reality.

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2350

Philosophical Issues in Chinese Religion

(3,2,1)

This course aims to introduce and investigate various philosophical issues in Chinese Religion.  The arguments for and against certain philosophical theses related to Chinese Religion will be explained. One or more traditions of Chinese religion will be explored at the discretion of the instructor. Students will be encouraged to arrive at their own judgments on, or views of, certain conceptions and doctrines of Chinese Religion in a critical and rational manner.

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2610

Christian Spirituality

(3,2,1)

This course aims at the thorough exploration of the experiential and practical dimensions of the Christian religion. The historical approach will be complemented by a critical evaluation of some of the major conceptual components of Christian spirituality.

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2720

Daoist Religion

(3,2,1)

This course introduces and investigates the history of Daoist Religion, its basic concepts, doctrines and practices.  Guided studies of some selected texts from the Daoist Canon will enhance students' understanding of the religion and arouse a general awareness of the complexity of the Daoist texts and traditions.  Students will also be encouraged to explore their significant influences of Daoist Religion in the past and in the modern world.

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2730

Contemporary Ethical Problems

(3,2,1)

This course will tackle three or more clusters of ethical issues that are especially relevant to Hong Kong society. Ethical issues in birth, death, sex and love will be discussed here because of public concern lately. Some other issues will be included when deemed necessary.

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2740

Contemporary Theological Currents

(3,2,1)

This course gives a broad view of the emergence, development and interactions of major theological currents after the Second World War. Fundamental ideas of major contemporary theological thinkers will be examined. Emphasis will be given to the contextual problems faced by contemporary theologians who struggled to relate Christian faith to their life-situations.

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2750

Christian Social Thought

(3,2,1)

This course examines the various theological tendencies within the Christian Church in regard to their understanding of Christian responsibility to society and culture, and of the forms of social action in response to the needs in society.

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3210

Philosophy of Religion

(3,2,1)

The course explores a whole range of philosophical problems related to religion, including issues such as proofs for the existence of God, the problem of evil, the intelligibility of religious language, the rationality of religious belief, the relationship between religion and morality, and the significance of religious experience. A selection of influential philosophers will be studied in depth, and students will be encouraged to compare and contrast their various approaches.  This is an advanced course.  Students without adequate background should consult the course instructor enrolment.

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3220

Comparative Religious Themes

(3,2,1)

This course attempts to provide students with a historically and culturally contextualized empathetic understanding of the world's major living religions by examining the relationships between these religious worldviews and their teachings on personal and social life. It also aims at finding out the prospects for obtaining universal, cross-cultural values in a religiously pluralistic world. Furthermore, it tries to draw on the ancient spiritual resources and various religious wisdom to address the urgent contemporary issues confronting humankind.  This is an advanced course.  Students without adequate background should consult the subject instructor enrolment.

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3230

Christianity and Chinese Culture

(3,2,1)

The course introduces contemporary thinking concerned with modernization/westernization in modern China. It examines the deeper problems of culture raised in the process. It explores the tension between the Chinese culture and that of the West, putting this in the more fundamental religious perspective of their respective worldviews, and then explores the relevance of the Christian faith toward a resolution of this conflict. Students are invited to reflect on this tension existentially as it happens among them. Detailed studies shall be made of Chinese thinkers who has tried to address these problems.  This is an advanced course.  Students without adequate background should consult the course instructor enrolment.

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3240

Religion and Modern Society

(3,2,1)

The course begins with an introduction on classical thinking concerned with the role of religion in society. It then examines the deeper problems of religions raised in the process of modernization/westernization of society. It explores the religious situations of several typical societies, namely, that of a modernizing non-Western society, that of a modernized non-Western one, and that of a post-modern Western society. Students are invited to reflect existentially with participant observation on the religious situation of his/her own society.  This is an advanced course.  Students without adequate background should consult the course instructor enrolment.

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3591-2

Honours Project

(3,*,*)

Prerequisite:

Year III standing in Religious Studies major

A project for BA (Hons) in Religious Studies students. Students will pursue in-depth research on a specific topic of interest to the student under guidance of an appointed lecturer from the Department of Religion and Philosophy. Students are to consult with their advisers regarding the necessary library and archival research, synthesis and writing. This project will be open only to third-year Honours Degree students.

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3610

Comparative Philosophy: East and West

(3,2,1)

This course aims to offer a comparative examination of Eastern and Western philosophies from a macroscopic point of view. The focus will be directed to the principal ideas advanced and the modes of thinking employed. Similarities as well as differences between Eastern and Western philosophies will be clearly revealed. Religious implications where relevant to the thoughts and theories concerned will be emphasized.  This is an advanced course.  Students without adequate background should consult the course instructor enrolment.

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3620

Selected Topics/ Readings in Philosophy

(3,2,1)

This course will study a selection of classical literature from the main streams of Chinese philosophy, especially those concerned with Confucianism, Taoism and/or Chinese Buddhism. The course will focus upon specific texts selected from the areas (e.g. Taoism). In studying the selected texts, emphasis will be given to the examination of the philosophical ideas and problems related to the texts.  This is an advanced course.  Students without adequate background should consult the course instructor enrolment.

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3630

Selected Topics/ Readings in Christian Studies

(3,2,1)

This course is a study of primary texts of major theological thinkers and/or ecclesiastical documents. The texts to be studied in detail may cover one or more periods of history (e.g. the Patristic Period, the Middle Ages, the Reformation or the Post-Enlightenment Period), or focus on one or more theologians or themes. This is an advanced course.  Students without adequate background should consult the course instructor enrolment.

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3770

Religion and Ideology

(3,2,1)

This course introduces students to the concept of ideology and its significance for the understanding of religion in the modern world. Through the particular example of Marxist critique of religion as ideology, the classical formulation of the concept of ideology is introduced. The validity and nature of this critique will then be considered. Religion's response to the critique will then be examined. Religion's critique of ideology as quasi-religion will also be discussed. Various modern ideologies will then be surveyed and their inherent strength and weakness will be set out in contrast with traditional religions.  This is an advanced course.  Students without adequate background should consult the course instructor enrolment.

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3990

Selected Topics/ Readings in Religious Studies

(3,2,1)

The precise content of the course will be determined on the basis of: (1) the needs of the students; (2) availability of faculty; and (3) consultation between the teaching faculty and Head of Department.  This is an advanced course.  Students without adequate background should consult the course instructor enrolment.

 R.P.

1010

Introduction to Philosophy

(3,2,1)

This course aims at providing an introduction to some major thinkers and philosophical issues and problems in both the western and Chinese philosophical traditions.  Several alternative positions will be presented for each issue, including, where possible, classical and contemporary, eastern and western approaches.  Students will be encouraged to think critically and yet deeply, learning to assess and evaluate their own insights and to form conclusions rationally.

 R.P.

1020

Critical Thinking

(3,2,1)

This course provides a basic introduction to critical thinking. Students in this programme are expected to learn the basic skills of critical thinking so as to be able to think critically. To achieve this purpose, students need to understand the basic principles as well as the structure of critical thinking. Thus, the emphasis of the course is not only on the practical but also the theoretical aspect of critical thinking. Accordingly, the course matter will be divided into the following four areas: 1. The Logico-Linguistic Analysis Approach; 2. Informal Fallacies; 3. Methods of Logic and; 4. Scientific Method.

 R.P.

1040

Religion and the Meaning of Life

(3,2,1)

This course aims to help students to gain a basic understanding of how people in different living religious traditions conceive of the nature of life and manage shared existential problems.  Students will therefore be introduced to worldviews and religious institutions found in Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.  Selective studies of authoritative scriptures and those describing rituals of worship, historical transmission of traditions, and contemporary problems within these traditions will allow students to assess how religious advocates in various traditions resolve problems of life.

 R.P.

1070

Religion, Psychology and Personal Growth

(3,2,1)

This course deals with issues relating to the interface between religion and psychology. Relevant theories of a selection of influential psycholo­gists, such as Freud and Jung, will be thoroughly examined, with special emphasis on their views of the structure of human personality, the process of personal growth, and the nature and significance of religion. This theoretical focus will be balanced by an emphasis on practical issues, with a view towards assessing and promoting one's own personal growth.

 R.P.

(3,2,1)

This course introduces biblical perspectives on and understanding of the human life to the students. Instead of forcing texts into preconceived topics, it follows the structure of the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament without assuming an exegetical dependence of one upon the other. The diversity of different views is taken positively and each is understood against its own particular historical/ religious/ cultural/ background. Basic exegetical methods will be introduced. Students are guided to appreciate, understand, and interpret texts pertinent to the theme of Human Life.

 R.P.

1110

Christianity and Modern Life

(3,2,1)

This course begins with a survey of the different ways in which Christian thinkers have viewed their social responsibilities.  Then specific appraisals of contemporary social and moral issues are used as cases to understand how different schools of thoughts tackle those issues.  The course ends with an examination into value system of modern man with the aim of challenging students to make choices that reflect their quest for a life worth living.

 R.P.

(3,2,1)

This course provides a comparative examination of the various views on the relationship between nature and human beings found in western and Chinese cultures.  Besides the similarities and differences of those views, the emphasis will be on the fundamental ideas and the modes of thinking employed, and how they have shaped the contemporary way of life.  Some special relevant topics will also be discussed.

This course uses an interdisciplinary approach to introduce to the students the various issues scientific and technological developments have given rise in the modern society. After a brief historical introduction to the rise of modern science and technology, some of the issues caused by science and technology in the society will be examined one by one. Particular attention will be paid to the impact science and technology have had on values and ethics, and on the future of human beings and the world. The struggle of third world countries to modernize themselves through science and technology will also be examined through some particular examples.

 R.P.

(3,2,1)

This course introduces the major schools of Chinese philosophy such as Confucianism, Taoism, Buddhism and Mohism.  The subject gives a survey of the development and interrelation of the main streams of Chinese thought from Confucius to the modern period.  While the course puts emphasis on the main streams of Chinese philosophy mentioned above, it will also give attention to the philosophies of Kung-sun Lung Tzu and Hui Shih with the hope of providing students with a broader background to understand Chinese philosophy.

 R.P.

1310

Ethics

(3,2,1)

An introduction to the nature of morality with emphasis on its concern with our ethical responsibility to society. The course will consider the nature of ethics and various main ethical theories and then several important issues in moral philosophy.

 R.P.

1320

Applied Ethics

(3,2,1)

This course begins with a brief introduction to moral theories and principles in preparing students to analyse critical issues that they face in their daily life.  Then moral issues in selected fields in applied ethics will be introduced.  Students are encouraged to apply those theories and principles in attempting to facilitate morally acceptable solutions.