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B.A. in Religion, Philosophy and Ethics (4-year Curriculum)

Course List

 

Study Scheme

Religion, Philosophy and Ethics Major Courses 60 units
  • Major Core Courses
21 units 
  • Major Elective Courses
33 units
  • Honours Project
6 units
General Education Courses

 
31 units
Free Elective Courses37 units
 128 units

 

A.   Major Core Course (21 units)  + Honours Project (6 units)                  

 Students have to take all the required courses below:    

 Units
RELI 1005Quest for Truth and Meaning3
RELI 2006Introduction to Christianity and Civilizations3
RELI 2007Problems of Philosophy3
RELI 2015Approaches to the Study of Religion3

RELI 2027

Introduction to Chinese Philosophy and Religion

3

RELI 2035Introduction to Ethics3
RELI 2036Social Scientific Study of Religion3
RELI 4898-9Honours Project6

 

B.    Major Elective Courses (33 units)                

Student have to choose at least six units from each of the four study areas and the rest can be freely chosen among the four study areas. Students can declare to do a concentration or not near the end of second semester of their second year. If they do, they need to take 21 units in one of the study areas as the concentration they prefer, by taking any five major elective courses in that study area and taking Honours Project in the topic related to that study area.

 

Arrangement of Pre-requisite and Co-requisite Courses (For students who admitted in AY2024/25 and thereafter) :

Students should take the following courses as pre-requisite/ co-requisite courses for taking Level 4 RELI courses:

Study Area
Pre-requisite and co-requisite course for taking Level 4 RELI courses

Area A

RELI2007 Problems of Philosophy

Area B & Area C

RELI2015 Approaches to the Study of Religion

or RELI2036 Social Scientific Study of Religion

Area D

RELI2035 Introduction to Ethics

 

Study Area A: Philosophical Studies

Philosophy addresses some of the fundamental questions about human thought and reality, which include questions concerning knowledge and belief (epistemology), the nature of reality (metaphysics), and morality and aesthetics (value theory). This Study Area aims at developing the philosophical capacities and interests of each student and offering various courses dealing with major problems and history of philosophy. The courses offered cover the characteristics of major areas, and history of philosophy as well as studies of major philosophical figures. The study of philosophy enables students to develop their abilities in critical thinking and reasoning as well as to improve their skills in verbal and written communication. RPE students may take this Study Area as a concentration.

 Units
Foundational Branches of Philosophy
1RELI 3007Philosophy, Meaning and Knowledge3
2RELI 3087Metaphysics: Quest for Reality3
Major Areas of Philosophy
3RELI 3095Logic and Philosophy of Logic3
4RELI 4005Philosophy of Religion3
5RELI 3056Philosophy of Mind, Consciousness, and Personal Identity3
History of Western Philosophy
6RELI 3065History of Modern Western Philosophy3
7RELI 3096Contemporary Analytic Philosophy3
Continental Philosophy
8RELI 3027Existentialism and Nihilism3
 Chinese Philosophy
9RELI 3006Major Streams in Chinese Philosophy3
10RELI 4047Mind in Chinese Buddhist Philosophy3
Others
11RELI 4016Selected Topics/ Readings in Philosophical Studies3
12

RELI 4076 

Great Plays and Philosophy3

 

Study Area B: Christian Studies and Comparative Religion

This study area provides a comparative study in diverse religious traditions of the world with focus on monotheistic faiths of the Abrahamic tradition (i.e. Judeo-Christianity and Islam), and the Chinese religious traditions of Daoism, Confucianism and Buddhism.  Apart from doctrinal and institutional aspects of religion, we also emphasise on social justice in religion, religious conflicts, inter-religious dialogue, and the impact of globalization on religions. By broadening students’ horizons through such comparative study, we equip graduates with the capacity of handling challenges in their life and career.

 Units
Christian Studies: Foundations & Issues
1RELI 3127History of Christian Thought3
2RELI 3017A Survey of Jewish and Christian Scriptures3
3RELI 3026Christianity, Humanism and the Contemporary World3
4RELI 3037Christian Spirituality3
Chinese & World Religions
5RELI 3135Buddhism3
6RELI 3005Daoist Religion3
7RELI 3137 Confucianism3
8RELI 3136Religious Rituals and Practices in Hong Kong3
9RELI 3047Islam3
Comparative Religion
10RELI 4025Christianity and Chinese Culture3
11RELI 4035Comparative Religious Themes3
Others
12RELI 4027Selected Topics/ Readings in Christian Studies or Comparative Religion3

 

Study Area C: Interdisciplinary Study of Religion

To address the complexity of the modern world, this area of study emphasizes the importance and practices of studying religious, ethical and philosophical matters through the employment of different academic disciplines. It pays special attention to the interdisciplinary studies between religion and natural science, social science, humanities and other disciplines. Therefore, the area of study also addresses to the need of employing different methodologies and perspectives critically towards the intersections between religion, other disciplines and social-cultural phenomena.
 
With these methodological awareness and trainings, the students are expected to be capable of explaining and articulating the relevance of religious resources in the analysis of social, cultural and historical issues; and developing critical, analytical and interpretative skills relevant to the understanding of the multi-faceted dimensions of religion and other disciplines.

 Units
Religious Studies & Other Disciplines
1RELI 4037Sociology of Religion and Modern Society3
2RELI 3097Psychology and Religion3
3RELI 3105Anthropology and Religion3
4RELI 4065Dialogue between Religion and Modern Science3
Religion & Social Issues
5RELI 4036Religion and Ideology3
6RELI 3077Religion and Social Movements3
7RELI 3086Religion, Violence and Peace3
Religious, Cultural & Ethical Issues
8RELI 4015Mysticism and Religious Experience3
9RELI 3075Religion and Anima3
Religion in Chinese Contexts
10RELI 3106Religion and Modern Chinese Societies3
Others
11RELI 4046Selected Topics/ Readings in Religious Studies3

 

Study Area D: Ethics and Society

This study area provides a comprehensive study of theories and issues in ethics, political philosophy, and studies related to society. The 11 courses below cover the characteristics of this study area, in which (1-2) are about ethical thought, (3-4) ethics, religious traditions and modern society, (5-6) social and political thought, (7-10) contemporary ethical issues, (11) selected topics to allow flexibility and new interests. 

 Units
Ethical Thought
1RELI 3107Chinese Moral and Political Philosophy3
2RELI 3016Philosophy, Morality and Society3
Ethics, Religious Traditions & Modern Society
3RELI 3115Theological Ethics3
4RELI 3116Islamic Values and Contemporary Society3
Social & Political Thought
5RELI 4066Ethics of Human Rights: Theories and Controversies3
6RELI 3125Social Justice, Liberalism and Economic Equality3
Contemporary Ethical Issues
7RELI 3045Contemporary Ethical Problems: Hong Kong and Beyond3
8RELI 3117Service Leadership and Meaning of Life and Death3
9RELI 3126Theology, Liberalism and Sex in Chinese Societies3
10RELI 4067Environmental Ethics3
Others
11RELI 4075Selected Topics/ Readings in Ethics3

 

B.A. (Hons) in Religion, Philosophy and Ethics Programme 

Broad-based admission (JS2020)

Study Schedule

 

Course Code and TitleSem 1Sem 2Total
 UnitsUnitsUnits

YEAR 1

 

GE Courses:
University English3-3
University Chinese3-3
History and Civilization-33
Values and the Meaning of Life3-3
University Life000
Free Electives*6915
 151530

* RELI 1005 Quest for Truth and Meaning will be offered in both semesters for Arts 1st year students. They can take it in either semester. Students who do not take the course, but proceed to the Religion, Philosophy and Ethics major, MUST take the course in the first semester of their 2nd year.

 

YEAR 2

 

Major Core Courses:
RELI 2006Introduction to Christianity and Civilizations3-3
RELI 2007Problems of Philosophy3-3
RELI 2015Approaches to the Study of Religion3-3
RELI 2027Introduction to Chinese Philosophy and Religion-33
RELI 2035Introduction to Ethics-33
RELI 2036Social Scientific Study of Religion-33

 

GE Courses:
Healthy Lifestyle *112
The Art of Persuasion-22
Quantitative Reasoning-33
Free Electives639
 161834

* Healthy Lifestyle can be 1-unit or 2-unit course. The number taken in each semester can be flexible as long as the total units taken is 2 in year 2.

 

YEAR 3

 

Major Elective Courses:
One Area A + One Area B6-6
One Area C + One Area D-66
*Major Electives from any area336
 GE Courses
Interdisciplinary Thematic Courses336
Free Electives639
 181533

YEAR 4

 

Major Core Courses:
Honours Project336
Major Elective Courses:
One Area A + One Area B6-6
One Area C + One Area D-66
*Major Electives from any area3-3
GE Courses:
GE Capstone Course3-6
Free Electives#-77
 151631

* The total number of major electives to be taken is 3. The number taken each semester can be flexible. If a student wants to take one more major elective in a semester, he/she can take one free elective less in that semester and do it in another, or vice versa.

# Total no. of free elective courses to be studied is 37 units. Students can take the extra 1 unit at any semesters they wish.

 

B.A. (Hons) in Religion, Philosophy and Ethics Programme 

Programme-based Admission (JS2025)

Study Schedule

 

Course Code and TitleSem 1Sem 2Total
 UnitsUnitsUnits

 

YEAR 1

 

Major Core Courses:
RELI 1005Quest for Truth and Meaning3-3
RELI 2006Introduction to Christianity and Civilizations3-3
RELI 2027Introduction to Chinese Philosophy and Religion-33
 GE Courses:
University English336
University Chinese3-3
History and Civilization-33
Values and the Meaning of Life3-3
University Life000
Free Electives-66
 151530

 

YEAR 2

 

Major Core Courses:
RELI 2007Problems of Philosophy3-3
RELI 2015Approaches to the Study of Religion3-3
RELI 2035Introduction to Ethics-33
RELI 2036Social Scientific Study of Religion-33
GE Courses:
Healthy Lifestyle *112
The Art of Persuasion-22
Quantitative Reasoning-33
Free Electives9618
 161834

* Healthy Lifestyle can be 1-unit or 2-unit course. The number taken in each semester can be flexible as long as the total units taken is 2 in year 2.

 

YEAR 3

 

Major Elective Courses:

 

One Area A + One Area B6-6
One Area C + One Area D-66
*Major Electives from any area336
GE Courses
Interdisciplinary Thematic Courses336
Free Electives639
 181533

 

YEAR 4

 

Major Core Courses:
Honours Project336
Major Elective Courses:
One Area A + One Area B6-6
One Area C + One Area D-66
Major Electives from any area*3-3
GE Courses:
GE Capstone Course3-3
Free Electives#-77
 151631

* The total number of major electives to be taken is 3. The number taken each semester can be flexible. If a student wants to take one more major elective in a semester, he/she can take one free elective less in that semester and do it in another, or vice versa.

# Total no. of free elective courses to be studied is 37 units. Students can take the extra 1 unit at any semesters they wish.