Curriculum

Four-year Curriculum of the BA programme

1. Major Requirement

Students in Fine Arts are divided into THREE main streams:
(1) Art History – studies the historical development of art with a special emphasis on China;
(2) Modern Art Studio – trains students in the practice of artistic creation; and
(3) Art History and Art Studio – applies equal emphasis on both.

Students must declare one of the streams at the beginning of their third year of attendance.

Fine Arts students are required to complete a minimum of 72 major units.

Note: Students need to submit a thesis or studio works for exhibition in the final year of attendance.

2. Minor Requirement

Students who are interested to declare Fine Arts as minor programme have to complete 25 units and satisfy requirements under separate categories.
For details of the study scheme, students could visit University Undergraduate E-handbook for information.

Courses

• FAAS 1100 2 Units

  Drawing Fundamentals

  This course provides students with basic knowledge and skills in drawing. Topics include: (1) tools and techniques; (2) perspective and observation; (3) composition and visual element; and (4) perception and expression.

• FAAS 1110 2 Units

  Principles of Chinese Calligraphy

  This course is offered for beginners in Chinese calligraphy. It describes the basic concepts and techniques of Chinese calligraphy, the selection and use of materials and tools, and teaches students the regular, clerical and seal scripts. Students will be prepared for more advanced courses of various scripts.

• FAAS 1130 2 Units

  Principles of Chinese Painting

  This course introduces the materials and tools, techniques in brushwork, ink tone variations, and colouring to beginning students of Chinese painting. Related skills such as mounting, writing of inscriptions, imprinting of seals will also be explored. Students will practise traditional paintings of pine trees, rocks, bamboo, and human figures, etc., in preparation for in-depth studies in landscape, figure or bird-and-flower paintings.

• FAAS 1140 2 Units

  Fundamentals of 3-Dimensional Forming

  This course provides students with basic concepts and skills in three-dimensional forming through various material processes, both in traditional handicraft and digital 3D forming environment. Emphasis will be placed on three major aspects: 1) the perception of form and space; 2) materials and construction; and 3) 3D form as artistic expression. The course will also help students to get familiar with studio operations that would equip them for further sculptural practice.

• FAAS 1600 3 Units

  Artistic Traditions in China

  In light of artifacts whether excavated or collected as well as historical texts, this course provides an overview of Chinese art over 5000 years. Through studying the art and culture of the pre-historic era and the Bronze Age, and the development of painting, calligraphy, religious sculpture, architecture, jade, gold, silver, and ceramics throughout the centuries, students will understand the special characteristics and historical development of Chinese art and culture over the centuries. Artistic exchange between China and its neighbouring countries will be given special attention. Tutorial sessions involve practical workshop or the study of actual art objects at the Art Museum.

• FAAS 1700 3 Units

  Artistic Traditions in the West

  The goal of this course is to investigate Western art practices from ancient times to the modern era. Analyses of key works of art will be considered in relationship to the social, political, economic and cultural circumstances that surrounded and informed them.

• FAAS 1900 3 Units

  Introduction to Art History

  This course aims to develop students’ abilities to “read” artwork. Students will gain a basic understanding that besides aesthetics and forms, artwork represents the culture, philosophy, religion, technology, literature, and history when it was produced and collected. Critical art historical concepts including but limited to style, mass production, iconography, patronage, narrative, connoisseurship, and forgery, will be used to analyze masterpieces to hone students’ object-based research skills.

• FAAS 2100 3 Units

  Life and Arts in Pre-Modern China

  In the traditional discourse of Chinese painting, it was believed that an artist should “外師造化，中得心源” (outwardly learn from the Nature and inwardly trace the source of their own heart). Unfortunately, with the enormous temporal and geographical difference, both the Nature and the “heart-source” of the ancient masters, as well as their techniques in articulating the two, appear to be unapproachable to us living in the modern age. Likewise, the field’s ambiguous meta-language full of expressions like “氣韻生動” (infusing ch’i to show life movement) or “意趣” (subtle charm resulted from spontaneity) can also be a hurdle to uninitiated students.
  
  Distant it might seem, art, after all, is inspired by real life. This course seeks to explore the material basis of the Nature artistically heightened by the ancient artists directed by their “heart-source”. We would try to explore the abstract philosophical ideas and aesthetic ideals by looking at something physical and concrete: by visiting specific scenic sites, we would be able to compare the landscape with the paintings they inspired and have more idea on how the visual vocabulary and grammar of Chinese painting “translates” the real world; and by viewing the objects, or even experience some of the activities central to the artists’ cultural life, students would also have a more substantial understanding on the “heart-source” of these painters.
  
  This course would use the Songjiang and Wu Schools of painting as case studies. A field trip will be organized and students will be walked through the areas of Shanghai, Suzhou and Hangzhou where the Ming Dynasty painters were active in. Through the well-preserved tangible heritage of the region, students could have a better feeling of the intangible ideational world of the ancient masters and their artistic pursuits. The endeavours of the local communities in preserving these invaluable treasures will also be reviewed.

• FAAS 2102 3 Units

  Arts of Ancient China: Neolithic Through Bronze Age

  Using artifacts recovered from archaeological excavations, this course will explore the artistic achievements of early China. Students will be introduced to the painted and black pottery and the ritual and ornamental jades from the Neolithic period; oracle bone script, ritual bronze vessels, bronze weapons and musical instruments, painted lacquers, and ritual and ornamental jades of the Bronze Age; as well as the beginnings of contact with nomadic cultures, and pictorial representation in bronze, silk, and clay. Students will emerge with a multifaceted picture of the cultural and artistic legacy of early China, ready for in-depth studies in the arts of the period.

• FAAS 2103 3 Units

  Art Along the Silk Road

  The opening of the Silk Road during the second century BCE marks China’s entry in the international arena of artistic and cultural exchange. Through the study of a wide range of artifacts from the Han through Tang-Liao-Jin-Song periods, this course will examine the results of these exchanges from a variety of perspectives. Students will acquire a balanced and updated understanding of the role played by cultural interaction in China’s artistic development during this period. Contents of this course will vary with instructors and students. Offerings with different subtitles can be taken up for credit, up to a maximum of two times.

• FAAS 2104 3 Units

  History of Early Chinese Ceramics

  This course examines the development and artistic characteristics of Chinese ceramics from the Neolithic period (ca. 5000-2000 BCE）to the Song dynasty. Representative wares such as early painted and black pottery, funerary figurines, stonewares, and high-fired porcelains from major kilns will be discussed. This course also explores the relationship between the ceramics and the social culture of different periods through in-depth analysis of excavated materials from archaeological sites such as tombs, kilns and pagodas. Excavation of ancient Chinese ceramics in Hong Kong will also be included in the survey, with the possibility of field visits to local archaeological sites.

• FAAS 2105 3 Units

  Classical Traditions of Chinese Calligraphy

  Focusing on calligraphy before Song, this course aims at familiarizing students with the origin and development of Chinese calligraphy: oracle-bone script, bronze inscriptions, stele-engravings, and ink works on silk and paper. In-depth discussions of calligraphic works in museum collections and those from archaeological discoveries will lead to an understanding of stylistic development, while different classical traditions created by great masters will be highlighted and evaluated.

• FAAS2106 3 Units

  Visual and Material Culture of the Ming Dynasty

  This course discusses the changes of visual and material cultures of the Ming dynasty through studying objects, images and texts. Topics including ceramics, lacquerwares, gold and precious stones, textiles, prints and other art and artefacts made for people from all walks of life will be covered. Through introducing representative images and objects and different trends of social development of the Ming period, such as religious fervor, sumptuous consumption, and erotic culture, the course aims at exploring how the emergence of classic images and artefacts are linked to the political, economic, religious, technological and aesthetic development of a time.

• FAAS 2110 3 Units

  Religious Art of China

  This course aims at exploring the relationship between Chinese art and religion from the Shang period onwards. Students will be introduced to religious paintings, buildings, sculptures, clothes and ritual objects. Through studying important archaeological and extant religious artifacts and recent research on Chinese religious beliefs, students are expected to understand the characteristics and significance of Chinese religious arts. Religious ideas behind different forms of art will also be discussed.

• FAAS 2113 3 Units

  Introduction to Asian Art: The Art and Archaeology of West, South, Southeast, and Inner Asia

  The survey introduces the art and material culture of pre-20th century Asia with particular attention paid to trans-regional and cross-cultural interactions. Select artistic traditions in West (mainly, Iran), South (India, Sri Lanka, and the Himalayas), Southeast (Indonesia, Burma, Thai, Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam), and Inner (Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, and Mongolia) will be examined against their philosophical, religious, socio-political, economic, aesthetic, and technological backgrounds. Major themes include (1) the rise of civilizations, (2) developments of various artistic forms and media, (3) tombs and funerary paraphernalia, (4) the spread of Buddhism, Hinduism, Islamism, and other worldviews across the region, and (5) Indianization and Sinicization.

• FAAS 2116 3 Units

  History of Western Comics

  This course traces the history of comics and graphic novels in Western Europe and North America. Beginning with an introduction presenting the main characteristics of this medium, this course will trace its development, from the beginnings of storytelling with images in Antiquity to the latest innovations. Even though they have retained their own characteristics over the last two centuries, Western European and North American comics have also developed in close proximity. Following the development of the press and book industry, as well as other media like cinema, comics and graphic novels have a rich history that can only be understood in their cultural context. This course is designed to allow students to understand how this medium has shaped and been shaped by many aspects of the history and cultures of these places.

• FAAS 2117 3 Units

  Art in HK: from the Foundation of the Colony to the Early 21st Century

  This course provides an overview of the development of art in Hong Kong from the colonial days to the early 21st century, including traditional Chinese painting, calligraphy and seal carving, modern ink painting, and various art forms in western media. It examines the uniqueness of Hong Kong’s art in the context of its economic growth, cultural integration of east and west, and freedom in artistic creation, towards an evaluation of the achievements of Hong Kong’s art in the twentieth century.

• FAAS 2119 3 Units

  Western Art I: from the 15th to the Late 19th Century

  This course aims to give a broad overview of Western art from the 15th to the late 19th century. The Renasissance is universally regarded as a fundamental period in the history of Western Art. Subsequent period styles, such as Mannerism, Baroque, Neo-Classicism, Romanticism and Realism are either development from the art principles of the Renaissance or reactions against the rules and bounds developed during this important period. Special attention will be given to the major artworks of each movement as well as the historical events which have influenced the evolution of Western art.

• FAAS 2201 3 Units

  Creative Watercolour Painting

  This course is an introduction to various techniques in watercolour painting. The exploration of combined techniques and mixed media will also be considered. Students are encouraged to be bold in experimentation. Assignments, individual critiques and group discussions will be conducted regularly to broaden concepts and methods of expression. Emphasis is on individual approach.

• FAAS 2203 3 Units

  Clerical and Regular Scripts

  This course provides an in-depth study of clerical and regular scripts. Students will be introduced to the various important schools of the two scripts and will have opportunities for practical exercises. Through the study of representative works (including clerical scripts of the Han and Tang dynasties, stele rubbings of the Wei and Tang dynasties), students can master the technique in these scripts and develop their own styles.

• FAAS 2206 3 Units

  Becoming a Comics Director

  In addition to artistic skills such as drawing, composition and the understanding of color, storytelling is one of the essentials of comics art. These skills in isolation are however not sufficient to create original comics and this art form can only exist through the proper arrangement of visual elements and image-text interactions. This course aims to provide students with the necessary understanding to further develop their understanding of visual and narrative communication through the creation of a story in the form of comics. In order to enhance students’ capacity to create such an interaction of narrative and images, workshops in the assisted creation of stories will be provided alongside the development of the student’s own visual research. Students will also be encouraged to find their own visual language and graphic style.
  
  Comic writing is a demanding profession that requires a number of specialized skills. This course will offer training and tutorials in the skills most appropriate to comics creation such as character design, script writing and the kind of sensitive observation that leads to intelligent creativity. Other specialized skills, such as insights into the marketing of comics and management of high-pressure schedules, will also be presented to students; this course will prepare potential comics creators for any future challenge in the profession.

• FAAS 2208 3 Units

  Basic Photography

  This course covers the basic theories and characteristics of photography, with an aim towards introducing students to the unique visual language of photography through application of photographic equipment, formats and materials. Students will be able to explore and appreciate the nature and culture of photography by learning different photographic approaches through discussions and practice.

• FAAS 2211 3 Units

  Western Painting I

  This course introduces western paintings under the following framework: (1) introduce Western Painting language; (2) paintings’ materials and techniques; (3) colour theory & composition; (4) painting from still-life; and (5) painting in creation.

• FAAS 2217 3 Units

  Mixed Media

  After World War II, art media are no longer confined to specific materials, tools and techniques. Artists tend to think and make art through idea rather than material. This has caused confusion between conceptual art and visual art. This course will teach students the basic concepts of mixed media, and provide students with a framework for artistic creation, when no well-defined boundaries for material and technique can serve as a reference. Focus will be put on the three principles of mixed media, namely, physicality, cultural signification and spirituality.

• FAAS 2219 3 Units

  Digital Imaging Workshop

  The course is designed to explore the concepts, aesthetics, and techniques of digital imaging from both academic and studio perspectives. Both technical and aesthetic issues will be addressed. Aesthetic issues encompass concept, composition and historical context, whereas technical topics include raster and vector imaging, image manipulation, time-based 2D graphics, animation and other related topics. Digital imaging software and hardware will also be introduced to illustrate the principles and techniques and to produce the projects.

• FAAS 3102 3 Units

  Jades for Life and Death

  The signature products of the major jade-working centres of the Neolithic period (ca. 5000-2000 BCE), their possible meanings, functions, and implications for cultural exchange as reflected in recent excavations will be the focus of the first half of this course. The subsequent changes in function and meaning, and the development of new forms to accompany these changes, will be examined during the second part of the course, aiming for an understanding of the changing meanings of jade in the ritual, religious, political, and social context of the time. Original works of art from the Art Museum and local collections may be used for instruction when appropriate.

• FAAS 3104 3 Units

  Jingdezhen and Beyond: History of Later Chinese Ceramics

  As the “Capital of Porcelains”, Jingdezhen has played an important role in the history of later Chinese ceramics. This course will examine the organization, the mode of production and the artistic characteristics of the monochrome and painted porcelains of Jingdezhen, to understand the achievements of the Ming and Qing ceramic industry. Trade ceramics and its influence, as well as ceramic production in Hong Kong will also be discussed with a field visit to a ceramic kiln site at Tai Po.

• FAAS 3105 3 Units

  Art of the Elite: Calligraphy from Song to Qing

  This course traces the development of calligraphy from Song to Qing. Major topics include the Song expressive calligraphic styles, Yuan revivalism, model-calligraphy tradition from Ming to mid-Qing, and stele-calligraphy tradition since mid-Qing. In addition to major calligraphers and their masterworks and styles, this course will also examine the philosophical ideas embodied in calligraphy, thus providing students with a cultural understanding of why calligraphy has been regarded as an art of the elite in China.

• FAAS 3108 3 Units

  Contemporary Art: Artistic Strategies in a Postmodern Era

  The goal of this course is to explore Western art and theory from approximately 1945 to the mid-1990s. Special attention will be given to the shift from a modernist to a postmodernist culture, and how artists have endeavoured to address a new era characterized by globalization and consumerism. Whenever possible, contemporary Chinese artworks will be explored for the purposes of cross-cultural comparison.

• FAAS 3110 3 Units

  Buddhist Art and Architecture

  This survey explores the historical development of Buddhist visual and material culture from around 5th century BCE to 20th century CE in Asia from a trans-regional perspective. Major topics include, but are not limited to, (1) worship icons, (2) materiality and ritual protocols, (3) iconography and iconometry, (4) illustrations, manuscripts, and pictorial narratives, (5) relics and other charismatic objects, (6) sacred space and monumental architecture, (7) artistic styles and their development and diffusion, and (8) patronage and socio-political context. The course also introduces the religion of Buddhism viewed uniquely in light of archaeological context.

• FAAS 3111 3 Units

  Chinese Ceramic Technology: Theory and Practice

  The aim of this course is to explore the technology of ancient Chinese ceramics through both lectures and workshops. A selection of classic wares from major kilns will be discussed in the lectures. Focuses will be placed on the technique of firing, forming and decorating ceramics and the related kiln technology. Meanwhile students will have opportunities in workshops to apply various ceramic techniques they learn in the lectures to the actual making of ceramics. This course can be taken as either an Art History or a Studio Arts elective course but students are required to declare their choice of attribution in their final year of attendance.

• FAAS 3112 3 Units

  Auspicious Metal: the Ritual Bronzes of Ancient China

  With special emphasis on recent excavations, this course will look at the artistic and technological development of cast-bronze artifacts from around 1600 BCE to the last few centuries BCE, in an attempt to understand China’s unique achievements in relation to other ancient Bronze Age civilizations. Ritual bronze vessels and weapons will be studied as reflections not only of artistic developments, but also of political, social, religious, and economic developments of the time. Original works of art will be used as teaching material when appropriate.

• FAAS 3113 3 Units

  Art and Culture of Korea

  This course—an interdisciplinary study of art history, archaeology, anthropology, and religious studies among others—introduces the visual and material culture of the Korean peninsula and its adjacent regions from the Neolithic Age to the early twentieth century CE by surveying major historic monuments and excavated artifacts. Major topics include (1) state formation, (2) tombs and mortuary furnishings, (3) the influx of Buddhism and its successful development, (4) capitals and provinces, (5) elite culture of the court, aristocrats, and the literati, (6) ceramics and lacquerware, and (7) trans-regional interaction, especially, with China and Japan.

• FAAS 3114 3 Units

  Art and Culture of Japan

  This course—an interdisciplinary study of art history, archaeology, anthropology, and religious studies—introduces the visual and material culture of the Japanese archipelago from the Prehistoric Age to the twentieth century by surveying major monuments and sites. Major topics include (1) prehistoric potteries, (2) tombs and mortuary furnishings, (3) the influx of Buddhism and its successful development, (4) capitals and provinces, (5) elite culture of the court, aristocrats, and the learned, (6) ceramics and lacquerware, and (7) trans-regional interaction, especially, with China and Korea.

• FAAS 3115 3 Units

  The Art of Chinese Seals

  This course provides an overview of the artistic characteristics and development of Chinese seals. Content includes the function, forms and related historical issues of ancient seals, and the style and theory of different artistic schools since the Ming and Qing dynasties.

• FAAS 3116 3 Units

  Art Under Imperial Patronage: Chinese Court Painting

  The course traces the development of Chinese court painting since the Han and Tang dynasties with special reference to the Song and the Qing periods. To evaluate the genre objectively in the historical, artistic and cultural perspectives, extant works will be studied side by side with related literature to reveal the content and style of masterpieces in relation to imperial tastes, political implication, cultural heritage, artistic techniques and Western influences.

• FAAS 3117 3 Units

  Modern Challenges: Chinese Art of the Twentieth Century

  This course traces the development of Chinese art during the twentieth century. Major topics to be covered include new directions of traditionalism, the emergence of the Lingnan school, and westernization for innovation before 1949, as well as the development of Chinese art on the Mainland and elsewhere since 1949. Special attention will be paid to Chinese artists’ artistic response to political turmoil, cultural changes and Western influences in the new era.

• FAAS 3119 3 Units

  Western Art II: from Impressionism to the Late 1940s

  The latter part of the nineteenth century was a time of economic, technological and social change when traditional values were challenged. This revolutionary period marked the beginning of the modern age and the birth of many avant-garde movements. This course aims to examine the various manifestations of these movements and the utopian project they tried to materialize.

• FAAS 3120 3 Units

  Daoist Art

  This course explores the development of Daoist art, with emphasis on studying artwork in relation to the religious culture and historical context of its production. It concerns how Daoist artwork is linked to Daoist thought, texts and visual culture current in the same period. Students will be introduced to Daoist sculptures, stone carvings, architecture, murals, scripture illustrations, as well as arts that embody Daoist aesthetics and culture, such as landscape paintings, container gardens and garden designs. Through studying archaeological and extant Daoist art and artifacts, together with scholarly research on Daoism and religious art theories, students are expected to acquire in-depth understanding of the development, function and meaning of Daoist art.

• FAAS 3200 3 Units

  Creative Workshop for Contemporary Chinese Art

  This course was designed to bridge Chinese and Western Art through seminars and studio practice. Since the late 1970s, Chinese Art has experienced major breakthroughs and has provided new insights for the development of contemporary art worldwide. The course will therefore re-examine the existing resources of Chinese art and culture and incorporate them using the methodologies of contemporary art in order to create new directions for art practices. Elitist and popular Chinese arts will be reconsidered in order to combine them with a local character and, using the contemporary art methods mainly coming from the West, students will be encouraged to find their own creative directions.

• FAAS 3201 3 Units

  Western Painting II

  Emphasis is placed on the development of personal imagery and creative expression. Students will be asked to choose a theme or visual idea for exploration. They are not directed to work in any specific style but are encouraged to use the various concepts and techniques to produce expressive paintings. Frequent class discussions and critiques encourage an exchange of ideas.

• FAAS 3202 3 Units

  Printmaking

  Students in this course learn the principles and techniques of intaglio, relief, planography, and serigraphy. Through learning the techniques on drawing, making and copying of print, students could receive fine arts education from the printmaking course. In addition to teaching various materials and making techniques concerning printmaking, this course also discusses related knowledge on presswork, television, computer and mass media, such as the combination and analysis of colours, craftwork on paper making, the disposal of chemical materials, etc. Regular individual tutorials conducted throughout the course provide students with professional guidance enabling them to master the traditional printmaking techniques and also a new approach to aesthetic value.

• FAAS 3203 3 Units

  Running and Cursive Scripts

  This course provides a more focused study in running and cursive scripts and includes both a specialized study of important schools and practical exercises in the two scripts. Students are expected to master running and cursive scripts, in preparation for developing their own styles.

• FAAS 3204 3 Units

  Xieyi: Chinese Expressive Painting

  This course focuses on the techniques of painting in an expressive manner i.e. in the literati tradition of “writing the idea”. The techniques and forms of expression such as ink, light colouring, heavy colouring are included. Contents of this course will vary with instructors and students. Offerings with different subtitles can be taken up for credit, up to a maximum of two times.

• FAAS 3206 3 Units

  Sculpting Moulding and Casting

  This course introduces various perspectives of making sculpture in organic form through direct and indirect methods. Focus will be on understanding and transforming forms in nature as well as forms derived from nature. Technical studio will include hand-building techniques, molding, and casting. Students will learn how to think through three dimensional forms and transforming ideas into tangible objects.

• FAAS 3210 3 Units

  Art in Public Space

  Art in pubic space became an important subject for those who wanted to reconcile the conflict between individual artistic ideas and the common norms in public space in 21st century. The presumption that artist cannot contribute significantly to public sector is questionable nowadays—there are many experiments being done to show that artistic intervention can somehow arouse the awareness of hidden power and political structure of the society. As a citizen or an artist, art has a role to play in public space.
  
  Seeing public space as an arena for artistic expression becomes another focus in contemporary art. Gallery, museum which are supposed to be neutral space in showing art is gradually replaced by space with cultural significances; message in art has been put into specific context for holistic examination.
  
  The course will cover various art forms in public space, which include traditionally defined public art, such as sculpture and functional objects in public space. The course will also teach student how to realize an art project through management and negotiation among different stakeholders— the client, the public, the technical consultant and the artist.

• FAAS 3211 3 Units

  Experimental Drawing

  This course will introduce various approaches to drawing so as to broaden students’ technical abilities and provoke awareness of contemporary approaches. Emphasis will be made on five major areas: (1) understanding rhythm and lyrical elements of drawing through figure movement; (2) exploring pictorial composition by studying and recomposing classical works; (3) developing visual vocabulary by exercising free association; (4) drawing as narrative; and (5) drawing as a tool to map spaces and activities.

• FAAS 3212 3 Units

  Combined Printmaking

  Expressions of ideas and concepts in the printmaking studio are used to be the earlier print technologies like relief, intaglio, screen printing and lithography, while technologies like photographic and digital printing in nowadays, enrich the possibility of creating Artwork. Combined printmaking experiments with contemporary combinations of print formats to produce multi-layered explorations of the image, line, colour, marks and visual expression.
  
  By understanding the characteristics of traditional and modern printing techniques, and the relation between printmaking materials (paper, ink and plate), students are enabled to expand the possibility of image making by transforming the use of printmaking in their own project.

• FAAS 3216 3 Units

  Sculpture: Building and Carving

  This course will focus on the classic approaches to sculpture: addition and subtraction. Metal and wood will be the major materials used. Through addition, students will be trained to weld metal and join wood to produce large-scale sculpture. Through subtraction, students will be able to define details and inner spaces of sculptures.

• FAAS 3219 3 Units

  Moving Image Workshop

  The course is designed to explore the concepts, aesthetics and techniques of moving image in digital format from both academic and studio perspectives. Both technical and aesthetic issues will be addressed. Aesthetic issues encompass concept, relationship of sound and image, video installation and historical context. Technical topics include techniques of cinematography, non-linear editing, scene visualization and other related topics. Non-linear editing and compositing software will be introduced to illustrate the principles and techniques and to produce the projects.

• FAAS 3221 3 Units

  Figure Sketching

  The content of this course includes knowledge of human anatomy, sketching of head and statues and sketching of live model. Through a series of exercises, students will acquire a better understanding of depicting human forms. It also enhances students’ powers of expression in figure drawing. The course helps to build the foundation of figure painting which applies for different media.

• FAAS 3223 3 Units

  Calligraphy in Ancient Scripts

  This course aims to provide a more focused study of ancient Chinese calligraphy before the Qin and Han dynasties. In addition to the training of writing skills, the knowledge of paleography will also be introduced. The course lays a foundation for further pursuit of creation and study. This course can be taken as either an Art History or a Studio Arts elective course but students are required to declare their choice of attribution in their final year of attendance.

• FAAS 3224 3 Units

  Gongbi: Chinese Delineative Painting

  This is an advanced study of Chinese Painting. It focuses on studying the techniques of painting by using fine-line and wash, one of two primary painting techniques in the Chinese tradition. Technique and forms of expression such as ink, light colouring, heavy colouring are included. Students will be encouraged to initiate artistic creation by incorporating different forms of expression. Contents of this course will vary with instructors and students. Offerings with different subtitles can be taken up for credit, up to a maximum of two times.

• FAAS 3229 3 Units

  Text and Image

  To explore the relationship between Text and Image, there are three parts in the course’s content: Creative Writing, Image Making and Critic Writing. Creative Writing includes narrative writing, fictional story, life memories, poetry, stream of consciousness… …etc that given a board based understanding of text. Image Making requires to re-think the application of imagery through representation and interpretation of text that be able to re-generate different images relatively. After the transformation from text to image, through the on-looker’s view point to create Critic Writing that using a third party’s perspective to analysis and re-read different kind of possibilities in the process of art making.

• FAAS 3234 3 Units

  Chinese Landscape Painting

  This course includes introduction of different tools and landscape painting skills. The main learning methods are imitation and copy. It aims to allow students get familiar with traditional painting methods and combine with outdoor sketches to finally have a complete understanding in Chinese landscape painting. The students are expected to be able to integrate what he/she has learned, so as to develop a personal painting style finally.

• FAAS 3236 3 Units

  Ceramic Art: Form and Space

  The course introduces construction skills and knowledge in ceramics through studio practice. Focus will be placed on the creation of form using clay and methods in ceramics. Discussions and critiques will be arranged to enhance the awareness of ceramics in the context of visual culture and contemporary life. Students are encouraged to apply the skills and knowledge learnt in developing their own area of work.

• FAAS 3246 3 Units

  Ceramic Art: Surface Treatment and Exploration

  The course introduces skills and knowledge of creating surfaces on ceramic works. Focus will be placed on exploring and investigating various notions of surface creation in ceramics. Different colouring agents and textures will be applied through traditional and contemporary methods. Through practice and discussion, students are encouraged to explore the role of surfaces on forms in various aspects of contemporary art.

• FAAS 4100 3 Units

  Special Topics in Art History

  This course examines in detail selected topics in art history, such as case study of archaeological discoveries, art of a dynasty, individual artists, etc. It aims at providing students with a full understanding of certain special areas in the history of art. Contents of this course will vary with instructors and students. Offerings with different subtitles can be taken up for credit, up to a maximum of two times.

• FAAS 4101 3 Units

  Art and Social Engagement: Summer Internship

  How to engage society through artistic and creative strategies? This course is designed to respond to this question with hands-on experience. This course provides internship placements for students to work with organizations involved in social engagement through creative thinking. Designed in an inter-disciplinary approach, students will not only work closely with artists, but also with social workers, entrepreneurs, designers, therapists, architects, etc. Besides art-administrative works, students are expected to create art projects and assist the organizations in running creative projects during the placement period. Through practical works, students are expected to build capacity to conduct socially-engaged projects in their own in future.
  
  Period of placement usually starts from June to August. All interested students must attend the briefing session conducted in February/March.
  
  This course can be taken as either an Art History or a Studio Arts elective course but students are required to declare their choice of attribution in their final year of attendance.

• FAAS 4102 3 Units

  Arts of Medieval China: Three Kingdoms through Five Dynasties

  This course surveys the art and material culture of medieval China. The medieval or early medieval period spans between the fall of the Han (206 BCE-220 CE) and the establishment of the Song (960-1279). With primary reference to archaeological evidence discovered in the recent six decades, the course considers (1) cities and palaces; (2) tombs and ritual architecture; (3) trans-and intra-regional connections; (4) the rise of new artistic forms, media, and technologies; and (5) the spread of Buddhist visual culture and its impact to Chinese society.

• FAAS 4106 3 Units

  Tradition and Transformation: Chinese Literati Painting

  The course traces the development of Chinese literati painting from the Northern Song to the first half of the 20th century. Topics to cover include literati art theories, revivalism, the theory of the Southern and Northern Schools, period styles, regional styles, Ming and Qing schools, reverence for and transformation of antiquity, commercialization of painting, and the modernization of traditional painting.

• FAAS 4109 3 Units

  Chinese and Western Comparative Aesthetics

  Relying on famous examples from the Chinese and Western worlds and using several types of sources (literature, philosophy, poetry and the visual arts), this course is divided into two parts. The first part will compare and contrast two radically different conceptions of art. The second part will present the global revolution in thought that has led to today’s developments in the arts created by the Chinese people in Mainland China and abroad.

• FAAS 4116 3 Units

  Understanding Theories of Chinese Painting and Calligraphy

  This course introduces students to the theories of Chinese painting and calligraphy from the Six Dynasties period through the twentieth century. Major theoretical writings will be discussed and analysed to provide students with an understanding of the criteria, views, documentation, principles, and debates of traditional painting and calligraphy. Extant works of painting and calligraphy will be also used as examples to discuss the application of theories.

• FAAS 4119 3 Units

  An Illustrated History of Western Art Theory: from Plato to Postmodernism

  This course is a presentation of the history of Western thought in relation with the visual arts, from Plato to contemporary thinkers (such as Jacques Derrida and Jean-François Lyotard). The works of the most important thinkers will be presented using texts and visual documentation.

• FAAS 4180 3 Units

  Thesis Research I

  Majors in art history who choose this course should expect to undertake independent research on a supervisor-approved topic, and present a written thesis at the end of the second term of their final year of studies.
  
  Advisory: For final year Majors only.

• FAAS 4182 4 Units

  Thesis Research II

  Majors in art history who choose this course should expect to undertake independent research on a supervisor-approved topic. Students are required to present a written thesis and pass an oral examination at the end of the second term of their final year of studies.
  
  Advisory: For final year Majors only.

• FAAS 4201 3 Units

  Art As Profession

  This course provides students with information and training in preparation for careers as art professionals. Emphasis will be placed on how the art producer, art mediator and the general public interact with each other. Topics will include cultural policies in Hong Kong, the role of the public and private sectors, art in public spaces, art criticism, curatorship, organizing portfolios, exhibitions, and legal issues. In addition, guest speakers will speak on their experiences as art professionals in Hong Kong. This course can be taken as either an Art History or a Studio Arts elective course but students are required to declare their choice of attribution in their final year of attendance.

• FAAS 4202 3 Units

  Special Topics in Studio Art

  This course is designed to cope with timely special issues in visual art, to provide students with opportunities for in-depth studies with specialists/ teachers who deal with issues related to current art practice, that are normally not covered by our regular curriculum. Topics may include curatorship, art management, cultural policy, public art and/or various studio art workshops or projects. This course can be taken as either an Art History or a Studio Arts elective course but students are required to declare their choice of attribution in their final year of attendance. Contents of this course will vary with instructors and students. Offerings with different subtitles can be taken up for credit, up to a maximum of two times.

• FAAS 4203 3 Units

  Seal Carving

  The advanced course in Chinese arts creation includes an introduction to the materials, tools and techniques of seal carving, and the imprinting and rubbing of seals. Through the analysis and study of representative examples over the centuries, as well as the art of modern seal carving, students can master the different script-forms in seal carving and a wide-range of carving techniques, toward creating their own styles in seal carving. Students are advised to take FAAS3223 before taking this course.

• FAAS 4210 3 Units

  Creative Workshop I

  This course is an advance studio course designed for students who have in-depth art experience. The course will teach students methodology of art creation in contemporary era and encourage deal with individual issues on art creation through discussion. Course content includes topics such as the latest development of contemporary art, semiotics and art, revisiting previous works of students, develop new techniques and direction for individual creation. The form of teaching in this course will be lectures, seminars and critiques.

• FAAS 4211 3 Units

  Creative Workshop II

  This course is designed to help students understand their motive of art making. A range of contemporary art practices will be addressed and strengthen their knowledge in artistic creation. Alongside with relative social issues and professional practice will be discussed. Besides individual artistic development, students will be encouraged to carry out independent research in their chosen medium or topic through seminars and critiques.

• FAAS 4212 3 Units

  Creative Workshop III

  This course is designed to help students refine their skills and strengthen their knowledge in artistic creation. Beside individual artistic development, students will be encouraged to carry out independent research in their chosen Chinese art medium or topic, such as Chinese Painting, Chinese Calligraphy and Seal Carving, through seminars and critiques. Contents of this course will vary with instructors and students. Offerings with different subtitles can be taken up for credit, up to a maximum of two times.

• FAAS 4213 3 Units

  Creative Workshop IV

  This course is designed to help students refine their skills and strengthen their knowledge in Chinese painting creation. Beside individual artistic development, students will be encouraged to carry out independent research in medium or topic of Chinese painting through seminars and critiques.

• FAAS 4214 3 Units

  Modern Ink Painting

  This course aims to tackle similarities and dissimilarities between Eastern and Western painting, specifically to guide students to experiment with Western ideas and methods in the Chinese ink media, or to attempt contemporary expressions with the subject matter and techniques of traditional Chinese painting. Instead of large classes, students will be tutored with discussions and demonstrations, individually or in small groups, to establish independent paths of artistic pursuit.

• FAAS 4280 3 Units

  Graduation Workshop I

  This course provides Majors in creative art with guidance in individual research for their graduation project. A series of lectures on art criticism and exegesis writing will prepare students to use their knowledge of art history, art theory and general education to write about their own works and the works of others. Compulsory visits to local art exhibitions will be organized and students will have to submit a mid-term paper in the form of art criticism. As the course is also based on individual supervision, students are also required to plan their graduation thesis and meet their supervisors regularly. At the end of the term, students must submit evidence of their research progress as designated by relevant supervisor(s). Advisory: For final year Majors only.

• FAAS 4282 4 Units

  Graduation Workshop II

  This course provides Majors in creative art with guidance in individual research for their graduation project which will be present at the Graduation Exhibition. Through the graduation project and written reflection, students need to demonstrate the quality of research and development, originality, technical competence, presentation skill etc in their works. Oral examination will also be conducted to evaluate the student’s articulation of various ideas in their project.
  
  Advisory: For final year Majors only.

Admission

There are two ways to apply for admission: JUPAS and Non-JUPAS. The details are as follows

1. Admission on the Strength of Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination Results

(a) Minimum Entrance Requirement of Fine Arts Programme Applicants shall have obtained in the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination (HKDSE)

#       The two subjects may include:

(1)    2 NSS elective subjects; or

(2)    1 NSS elective subject and Mathematics (Extended Part) Module I or Module II.

Applicants should refer to the website of the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid for the detailed requirements

(b) Admission Interview

Interview will be conducted after the release of HKDSE results. Applicants who put Fine Arts programme in Band A and meet the General Entrance Requirements will be invited for an interview. A softcopy of portfolio of creative works or, if no creative works can be provided, a personal statement in pdf format have to be submitted by email. Applicants will be informed of the arrangement of submission when they receive invitation to come for the interview. The portfolio should not exceed 10 pages and the size should be less than 5MB. The hard copy of the portfolio should be presented on the day of interview.

Applicants are welcomed to bring no more than 5 representative original works to the interview if there are any, and they should be easy to carry. Other supporting materials such as sketchbook and visual dairies are welcomed to bring along. The score of the portfolio and interview will be complemented by the HKDSE result to draw up a list of offers.

2. Admission on the Strength of Qualifications Other than Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination Results

(a) Minimum Entrance Requirement

Candidates with other qualifications (for example, GCE-AL, IB, HKALE, Associate Degree/Higher Diploma) should apply for admission through non-JUPAS.

Applicants should refer to the website of the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid for the requirements of respective admission schemes.

(b) Admission Interview

Admission interview is usually conducted in March. Applicants should put Fine Arts programme in the first choice and fulfill the General University Entrance Requirements. When making application at the University Online Application System, applicants must also submit a portfolio of their creative works or, if no creative works can be provided, a personal statement, through the system. The portfolio should not exceed 10 pages and file size should not exceed 5MB. Shortlisted applicants who are invited to attend the interview should bring along the hard copy of the portfolio.

Applicants are welcomed to bring not more than 5 representative original works to the interview if there are any, and they should be easy to carry. Other supporting materials, such as sketchbook and visual dairies, are welcomed to bring along. The score of the portfolio and interview will be complemented by the academic merits to draw up a list of offers.

Fees and Funding

The tuition fee for local students for 2020-21 is HK$42,100 per annum.

For non-local students, the tuition fee for 2021-22 is HK$145,000 per annum (subject to confirmation).

FAQ

• How will extra elective subjects be considered by the University?

  In addition to the 4 core and 2 elective subjects, bonus points will be awarded to the 7th subject. The size of the bonus point will depend on candidates’ result in the subject.

• What is the format or language of the interview?

  For 2020 entry, an individual interview was arranged for candidates. Putonghua, English and Cantonese would be used. The interview might last for around 10-15 mins.

• What do I need to bring along for the admission interview?

  If applicants have submitted a softcopy of portfolio, they also have to bring a hardcopy to attend the interview. They are also welcomed to bring not more than 5 representative original works to the interview if there are any and they should be easy to carry. Other supporting materials such as sketchbook and visual dairy are welcomed to bring along.

• What are the major criteria when selecting candidates?

  Individual artistic merits, articulation of artistic ideas, and dedication towards the subject will also be assessed besides academic results.

• Will I be invited for an interview if I do not put Fine Arts programme in Band A?

  Only candidates who have put Fine Arts programme in Band A will be invited for the interview.

• What HKDSE subject results should I get in order to be admitted?

  Students may make reference to the admission grades of previous years. However, the overall grades of students admitted vary from year to year, the information provided is for reference only.

• How many JUPAS students will be admitted to Fine Arts programme each year?

  Around 20, depends on the quotas of that year and the quality of applicants.

• Whom should I contact?

  Tel: 3943-7615

  Email: finearts@cuhk.edu.hk

Programme talk & Media Coverage

Admission Talk (In Cantonese)

Time:12:00-12:30 (16 Oct 2021)

Speaker: Prof. TAM Wai Ping

*Password: TmyEM%5E