Programme Description

This interdisciplinary Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Religion, Philosophy and Ethics Programme provides an excellent opportunity to study major world religions, philosophical traditions, and ethical schools of thought in a systematic and critical way. Students will develop a capability in correlating religious ideas and values, as well as philosophical and ethical thought with both the personal quest for meaning in life and the reflection of contemporary socio-cultural issues, such as life and death, gender equality and social justice. They can understand more about the human person itself and human culture through a comparative and interdisciplinary study of different religious and philosophical traditions, showing the vast range of human response to various life problems, such as life and death, meaning of life, and social justice from ancient times to the contemporary world.

Unique Features

First Religion, Philosophy and Ethics Programme in Hong Kong

The programme, specialising in three different but closely related disciplines of religion, philosophy, and ethics, is the first-of-its-kind in Hong Kong. Religion, Philosophy and Ethics (RPE) is a multidisciplinary programme and in fact one of the flourishing programmes in the international trend in recent decades. Examples include the RPE programme at King’s College London and University of Nottingham in the UK.

Four Study Areas

Foundational courses covering key areas of religion, philosophy and ethics are covered in the first and second years. In their third to fourth years, students can choose major electives among the four study areas, namely Philosophical Studies, Christian Studies and Comparative Religion, the Interdisciplinary Study of Religion, as well as Ethics and Society. The multiple foci of the programme would be able to cater for the diverse interests of students. Students can choose to declare or not a concentration in one of the four study areas at the end of their second year of study.

Critical Thinking

We emphasise nurturing students' abilities in critical thinking, formulating cogent arguments and critically evaluating claims, all of which helps to enhance their reasoning and analytical skills. These are transferable skills which are essential to many professions.

Value Analysis

We emphasise the analysis of underlying moral values, social values, political values and cultural values in current issues, which are diverse, complex and often in conflict with one another. Students are trained to make up their own minds after navigating through a complicated web of ideas.

Excellence in Liberal Arts Education

Our programme provides a channel for achieving the higher goals of liberal arts education, namely, (a) the cultivation of the ability to analyse complex human problems with intellectual rigor, and (b) the cultivation of practical wisdom for moral reasoning and impartial value analysis.

Student Learning Experiences

Summer Internship Programme

Summer Internship Programme has been organised for our students since 2002 to work in NGOs (Non-governmental Organisations), social enterprises, offices of Legislative Councilors, and institutions from public and private sectors. Students can widen their exposure through working, relate real life to their studies, gain valuable working experience and acquire the ability to identify their career paths after graduation.

Overseas Exchange Programme
Our students have opportunities to study abroad in partner institutions by joining the University's Overseas Exchange Programme.  We have established a unique study abroad programme with the Faraday Institute for Science and Religion that students can stay at a college of the Cambridge University for a short-term study.

Career Opportunities

Graduates can choose a career not only in teaching Ethics and Religious Studies (after obtaining PGDE/DipEd from a qualified tertiary institution), but also in cultural affairs, publication business, religionrelated social service agencies, administration of the civil service and the business sector.

Note

1. Subject to University annual review.