Page 215 - SYU Prospectus

Sociology

last three decades. Based on research output from anthropology, sociology and other
disciplines, this course analyses tourism as a social-cultural phenomenon with routinized
behaviours and complex meanings for both host and guest societies. Students will learn about
the relationship among culture, society and tourism by examining the social and cultural
complexities implied in the changing world. Particular emphasis is placed on the social-cultural
dimension of social policy, cultural development, heritage preservation, environmental
protection, community involvement, ethnic identity construction, and commodification of both
the tourist and the toured. With case studies, students will be introduced to famous examples
of different types of tourist destinations in order to understand the social-cultural changes
related to tourism developmental challenge around Chinese societies, ranging from mainland
China to Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau.

SOC 512 Special Topics
1 Term; 3 Credits
This is a course offered either by an adjunct or visiting professor. It will tap on selected
topics within his or her area of specialization to examine special interests or emerging issues.
This course is intended to provide a more in-depth understanding of changing social values or
cultural practices.

SOC 513 Graduate Seminar
1 Term; 6 Credits
In a globalizing world, cultures change in faster paces than ever before and there is no
exception for the Chinese societies. How do significant economic and political changes in
these societies transform the Chinese culture, and how do these cultural changes, in turn,
transform the social values and our self-identity? This seminar will review major theoretical
frameworks and advanced research works in sociology and anthropology. Students will apply
theoretical knowledge to construct their own research projects through which they will study
and evaluate how social and cultural transformations take place and interact with one another.
As a capstone course of the programme, this seminar will focus on providing students an
opportunity to integrate what they have learnt from other courses in both domains of the
programme. It will be divided into two stages. The first stage consists of lectures and seminars
which aim at helping the students formulate an appropriate topic for an independent research
project. In the second stage, students are required to finish the project under the supervision
of the instructor with periodic individual consultations. Students might also be encouraged to
carry out their research projects with the support from local institutions or non-government
organizations insofar as it is relevant to their research projects.

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