General Education at CityU

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Why need GE? GE is intended to provide students with a breadth of knowledge through exposure to different disciplines. GE aims to equip students with a broad range of skills and knowledge necessary for facing the challenges of a rapidly changing world.

Objectives of GE Programme Intellectual and practical skills Global Awareness Broader knowledge of the natural and physical world Capacity for assuming individual and social responsibilities Capacity for lifelong learning and knowledge application

Objectives of GE Programme (1) Develop intellectual and practical skills, including proficiency in written and oral communication, inquiry techniques, critical and creative thinking, quantitative reasoning, problem-solving and teamwork

Objectives of GE Programme (2) Increase global awareness by gaining knowledge of diverse peoples and cultures and develop the ability to interact with others in culturally diverse settings

Objectives of GE Programme (3) Acquire a broader knowledge of the natural and physical world through the study of arts and humanities, social sciences, business, and science and technology

Objectives of GE Programme (4) Develop the capacity for assuming individual and social responsibilities, including local and global civic knowledge and engagement, knowledge of global competence with human diversity, and ethical reasoning and action

Objectives of GE Programme (5) Develop the capacity for lifelong learning and for applying new knowledge and skills to fulfill the needs of personal and professional lives

Nature of GE courses GE courses will provide integrative and synoptic introduction to important knowledge.

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Framework of GE University Requirements (9 CUs) 1. English (6 CUs) 2. Chinese Civilization- History and Philosophy (3 CUs) Faculty/School Distributional Requirements (21 CUs) Depending on the requirements of their parent Faculty/School, students will take a minimum of 3 CUs from courses in each of the following three Divisional Area: Area 1: Arts and Humanities Area 2: Study of Societies, Social and Business Organisations Area 3: Science and Technology

University Requirements for GE English (6 CUs) Students will develop effective English communication skills, written and oral, to present information and express ideas and thoughts clearly and logically. Chinese Civilization – History and Philosophy (3 CUs) Students will develop an understanding of Chinese history and philosophy that helps them identify the "self" in the modern world.

Three Divisional Areas for GE (1) Arts and Humanities a. Arts and Culture Appreciation b. Humanities and Civilization Students will acquire intellectual skills to comprehend and think critically from the humanistic perspectives. They will be able to identify how people have come to understand and express artistic, aesthetic, moral, spiritual and philosophical dimensions of human conditions through the study of courses in arts, culture & civilisation, literature, philosophy and etc.

Three Divisional Areas for GE (2) Study of Societies, Social and Business Organizations Students will examine human interactions in the context of organised societies and communities. They will be able to describe the complexities of social relations and human experience and the ways in which they have changed over time, as well as the impact of social and business institutions and values on individual and group behaviours/values.

Three Divisional Areas for GE (3) Science and Technology Students will be able to apply scientific inquiry and quantitative methods to solve problems and analyse the relationship between science & technology and society as well as their impacts on everyday life and on social and economic developments.

Benefits of GE to current students Transitional arrangements leading to 2012 Experimental Phase ( ) Some elements of 4-year degree will be introduced, e.g. offering of minors, introducing a small number of GE courses to be offered concurrently with OOD for selection by students

Benefits of GE to current students Gearing Up Phase ( ) The University rolls out a mini-version of the 4-year degree characterized by phasing out of OOD requirement, as well as offering a suite of GE courses totally at least 21 credit units (including English and Chinese Civilization)

Schedule for introducing GE courses and phasing out OOD SemesterCumulative Total No. of OOD Courses to be Phased out Cumulative Total No. of GE Courses to be Offered Semester B 2007/ Semester A 2008/ = 80+6 = 12 Semester A 2009/ = = 20 Semester A 2010/11+60 = = 30 Semester A 2011/12+58 = 238 (Or all remaining OOD courses) +10 = 40

Arrangements from now until 2012 (approved by Senate 23 Oct 2007) All GE courses falling within the GE areas of “Arts and Humanities”, “Study of Society and Business Organization”, or “Science and Technology” are considered satisfying the OOD requirements for students in bachelor’s degree and associate degree programmes effective Semester B 2007/08

Arrangements from now until 2012 Starting from 2008 intake, new students admitted to bachelor degree programmes must take at least 3 credit units from GE courses in fulfillment of the 9 credit units of OOD requirement and this will be applicable to senior year entrants. (Students taking minors are exempted from this requirement.)

Arrangements from now until 2012 All OOD courses will be phased out by 2011/12. Academic units will cease the introduction of new OOD courses from Semester B 2007/08, including the offering of course sections from existing departmental courses.

GE courses offered from Semester B 2007/08 Course Code GE Course TitleGE Area GE1101Chinese Cultural Heritage in Modern Perspective Arts and Humanities GE1102Cinema: East and WestArts and Humanities GE1201Information Management and its Social Impact Study of Societies, Social and Business GE2101Rational Thinking and Creative Ideas Organization Arts and Humanities GE2201Identity and Citizenship in a Globalised World Study of Societies, Social and Business Organisations GE2301Science and Technology: From Past to Future Science and Technology

References and Contacts GE Website General Education Committee Secretary:Ms Geraldine Mak ( g.mak)