Why should people study Practical Philosophy?

• In face of the ever-changing challenges in political, social, economic, technological, and cultural areas, talents equipped with both interdisciplinary knowledge and problem-solving skills will be in high demand in order to analyse information related to the complex and controversial issues in those areas;
• Students will be given training in critical, logical and philosophical thinking that enable them to be an independent thinker, so that they are able to express their viewpoints with strong justifications and make rational judgments in everyday life.

What are the differences between “Practical Philosophy” and “Philosophy” programmes in general?

• Whereas Philosophy is often regarded as a conceptual subject without much relation to practices, we constantly apply philosophical theories and concepts in our daily life. Unlike philosophy programmes in general which focus on studying philosophical texts and theories, ‘Practical Philosophy’ puts more emphasis on dealing with philosophical and ethical issues we encounter in our daily life with an interdisciplinary approach;
• Apart from core courses on logical thinking and introduction to Philosophy, the curriculum also consists of courses in various philosophical domains, including Technology and the Future of Humanity, Bioethics and Society, Political Philosophy, Moral Philosophy and Moral Psychology. Studying philosophical theories and the recent interdisciplinary issues not only equips students with the mindset of a global citizen and open their international horizons, but also enhances their critical, creative and cross-discipline thinking abilities which help them to tackle social and ethical issues, and meet the needs of the future job market better.

Who should study this Concentration Studies? What will I learn from it?

• This Concentration Studies is good for those who are interested in enhancing their analytical and critical thinking abilities on various political, social and ethical issues;
• Students will be able to:
  • investigate into a diversity of philosophical issues from an interdisciplinary perspective;
  • analyse and solve complex problems using an evidence-based, objective and critical approach;
  • apply philosophical knowledge and utilise analytical skills in religious, social, political and cultural discussions, the discussions of traditional philosophical theories, as well as in their daily life.

Is there any further articulation pathway upon completion of the Concentration Studies? What are the career prospects in the future?

• Graduates can choose to study bachelor’s degree in Religion, Philosophy, Humanities or any related programmes offered by local or overseas institutions. They may also apply for senior year places (year 3) of UGC-funded undergraduate programmes such as: HKBU (Religion, Philosophy and Ethics; Humanities; Creative and Professional Writing), CUHK, HKU, LU (Philosophy);
• Graduates could be articulated to HKBU BA (Hons) in Liberal and Cultural Studies under the Seamless 4-year Admission Scheme (SFAS);
• Graduates will be well equipped with good analytical, logical and communication skills that allow them to work in various related positions in education sector, arts and cultural, legal, media and commercial companies. They will be suitable to work as teaching assistant, research assistant at religious and cultural research centres, assistant human resources officer, assistant project officer at social welfare organisations and liaison officer II in government, etc.

What are the differences between “Society and Wellness Studies” and “Health Studies” programmes in general?

• “Health Studies” programmes generally put more emphasis on equipping students with generic knowledge of scientific research and health care while “Society and Wellness Studies” focuses more on interdisciplinary knowledge and skills including Sport and Recreation, Psychology, Nutritional Science, Neuroscience, Sociology, Counselling as well as Philosophy;
• Upon completion of the programme, students will have learned the essentials of individual health, holistic well-being and basic health counseling skills. On this basis they will be able to apply their professional knowledge of healthy living to the promotion of wellness at both individual and community levels.

Who should study this Concentration Studies? Would students be expected to have taken any science-related subjects beforehand?

• Those who are interested in studying Physical Education, Psychology, and Sociology subjects, and in particular those who would like to learn about the relationship between health and the society;
• This Concentration Studies provides students with fundamental knowledge and theories in respect of health and wellness promotion. The programme allows students to choose the learning targets that suit their own interests and abilities. Everyone is welcome to apply to this Concentration Studies in spite of not having studied science subjects before.

What are the articulation opportunities upon completion of the Concentration Studies?

• This Concentration Studies which covers a variety of areas in Social Sciences and Health Research provides graduates with an array of programme choices and a wider articulation pathway. They can pursue further studies to attain a degree from a local or overseas university in any Social Sciences related programmes, such as Health Education, Sports and Recreation, Psychology as well as Sociology;
• Graduates can articulate to the Senior Year Places (Year 3) through the Non-JUPAS scheme to obtain a bachelor’s degree granted by UGC-funded local universities, which includes: HKBU (Sociology), CUHK (Community Health Practice; Psychology), HKU (Psychology; Sociology), CityU (Criminology and Sociology; Psychology), PolyU (Applied Ageing Studies and Service Management), EdUHK (Psychology), LU (Health and Social Service Management Stream);
• Graduates may also apply for the HKBU self-funded undergraduate programmes including Sport and Recreation Leadership, Psychology and Social Policy;
• Graduates could be articulated to HKBU BSocSc (Hons) in Psychology under the Seamless 4-year Admission Scheme (SFAS).

Apart from health services-related jobs, are there any other alternative job opportunities for graduates?

• The demand for professionals in community works and health education has been rising greatly;
• Graduates can pursue a variety of career opportunities in various sectors and industries such as health care, community health education, social enterprise, and sport and leisure management. They will be well-equipped and able to apply for positions such as: social welfare administrative officers or assistants, leisure services coordinators, teaching assistants, executive assistants, and liaison officer II.