OBJECTIVES
Integrative Basic Studies (IBS) grew out of an original Philosophy of Life programme suggested by the founders of the College. It is continually revised, and steered by the College Integrative Basic Studies Committee under the College Assembly of Fellows. The Chung Chi College General Education programme subordinated to the IBS is a required study programme for all Chung Chi students. It is managed and administered by the College General Education Office.
The idea of Integrative Basic Studies seeks to broaden the interests of students and give them a wider perspective than those their major and minor subjects provide. It recognizes, in particular, their common need for:
a) Knowledge of the nature and structure, purposes and functions of modern university education, particularly its emphasis on rational thinking.
b) A critical awareness and appreciation of the main cultural traditions of China and the West.
c) An understanding of the modern scientific point of view and of the intrinsic significance of the sciences (natural and social) and their relation to society and culture.
d) An ability to face contemporary and perennial issues of life and their challenges to rational inquiries, discussion, and personal commitment.
The objectives of Integrative Basic Studies stand determined and carry on after the establishment of The Chinese University of Hong Kong. The four aims persist and are realized and achieved through the collaboration of Chung Chi College General Education Office and the University General Education Office.
Chung Chi College students are required to complete the following Chung Chi College General Education courses and to fulfill the requirements from the University General Education Programme.
CHUNG CHI COLLEGE GENERAL EDUCATION PROGRAMME
Chung Chi College General Education Programme has the principle of broadening the students’ horizons and fostering the enlightenment of thinking. It emphasizes on all-round development beyond academic pursuits and extends learning from the university to everyday life.
The College General Education Programme encourages students to explore their potential, adapt to university life and acknowledge the main characteristics of university study. The College General Education Programme also aspires to enhance students’ ability to communicate and cooperate with classmates and teachers from different academic and cultural backgrounds as well as developing team-building skills that are essential to cross-disciplinary cooperation.
Chung Chi General Education features both depth and breadth of knowledge. It is a challenging yet meaningful task to students. The wide coverage and rich content may be arduous but will be amply rewarding, students are assured to benefit a great deal by participating actively in both inside and outside classroom activities, playing an active role in group discussions with the awareness of the importance of laying aside prejudices and preconceived ideas.
COURSES
GECC 1130 Idea of a University
This is an introductory course for freshmen to develop an understanding and appreciation of university education, the origins, traditions and objectives of universities, and their relationships with the contemporary society. Facilitation of students’ adaptation to the campus life is also an important objective of the course.
The themes of the course include History and Heritage of Chung Chi College, University Studies and University Life. The course is conducted in lecture or dialogue between guest speaker and moderator.
The enrollment of this course is in connection with the 1-unit course GECC1131 “Idea of a University: Student-oriented Teaching” (STOT). Non-Cantonese-speaking students can enroll for GEJC1120 & GEJC1110 as substitution to GECC1130 & GECC1131.
GECC 1131 Idea of a University: Student-Oriented Teaching
This is a student-oriented small group tutorial course connected to GECC1130 lectures. Through discussions and reports on topics related to university education and university life, the course allows students to examine and reflect on the aims of university education, the role of a university student, and the responsibility of a citizen in a global context; explore different contemporary and perennial issues of ethics, life and values. The course also facilitates students’ adaptation to the campus life and trains them to learn actively through reflective thinking, rational inquiries, discussion, and personal commitment.
Student-Oriented Teaching (STOT) tutorials can be conducted in different mode of instruction e.g. discussion, debate, seminar, buzz groups etc. which encourages active learning. Students can decide their study topic with their individual tutorial class teachers. Depending on the discussion topic and mode of instruction, teachers can consider outdoor teaching or class meeting at the Shen’s General Education Resource Centre (located next to the college library) which is a cozy and relaxing place ideal for interactive classroom activities.
The enrollment of this course is in connection with the 2-unit course GECC1130 “Idea of a University”. Non-Cantonese-speaking students can enroll for GEJC1120 & GEJC1110 as substitution to GECC1130 & GECC1131.
GEJC 1120 College, University and Community
This course is jointly offered by Chung Chi, New Asia and United Colleges with the aim of introducing students to the basic elements of university education, history and traditions of college, campus life, personal development and social responsibility. The course comprises a series of lectures, each with a distinct theme. Together the lectures encompass critical aspects of education and life in the social, cultural and global contexts. The course would allow students to develop an understanding and appreciation of university education as well as their role and responsibility in the community.
The enrollment of this course is in connection with the 1-unit course GEJC1110 “College, University and Community: Student-oriented Teaching” (STOT).
GEJC 1110 College, University and Community: Student-Oriented Teaching
This is a student-oriented small group tutorial course connected to GEJC1120 for Chung Chi students only. This course is designed specifically for year one students, with the aims to enhance students to adapt to the learning environment and life style in The Chinese University, allow them to get a better understanding to university life, university education and the lectures of GEJC1120 through small group discussion.
The enrollment of this course is in connection with the 2-unit course GEJC1120 “College, University and Community”.
GECC 3130 Exploration and Discovery
The course Exploration and Discovery (EnD) features the synergy of supervised project and designated College learning programme, for instance, social-cultural exploration trip, thematic study trip, leadership programme or other prescribed set of learning offerings. Students participating in the same learning programme will conduct a project in an interdisciplinary team.
Students will learn through first-hand experiences as well as the various learning activities from the learning programme. Each group will conduct a project to investigate a special topic under the scope of the learning programme.
While the course is normally offered to students in the first term of their third or fourth year (Y3T1 or Y4T1), they must make pre-registration in the second term of the preceding year (Y2T2 or Y3T2), through applying and passing the selection for a designated College learning programme.
GECC 3230 Service-Learning Programme
This experiential-learning course aims to encourage students of different disciplines to serve in the community and learn through the experience. Students are encouraged to identify community needs and to implement service addressing the service targets needs. Integration of cross-disciplinary knowledge and personal skills are highly recommended. Reflection is the key element throughout the course. Students are also encouraged to cultivate their abilities for critical thinking and value judgment, and to gain valuable experience in building good partnership with team members through cooperation.
Students have to make pre-registration in the term prior to the course offering term through applying for a summer service-learning programme organized by the College or passing the interview and selection process based on the learning experience from the engagement of a self-initiated service project.
GECC 3330 Innovation and Knowledge Application
Students in small group will apply cross-disciplinary and extracurricular knowledge to devise an innovation strategy with the objective of popularizing specialized knowledge to the public discourse. The innovation may be, but not limited to, a campaign, broadcast programme, social media channel, content curation, publication, documentary, workshop, face-to-face or online course, symposium, product, service, experiential activity, startup, etc.
The innovation has the mission of disseminating expert knowledge to nonexpert audiences, serving as an interface between expert knowledge to a self-select target audience, e.g. young learners in primary school or below, secondary school students, or even the general public with no restriction to age or knowledge background. The idea should be desirable, feasible and sustainable, and bring positive social impacts. Each group will formulate and present their proposal or action plan, explain their design thinking. It is not necessary to implement the whole idea out but the group is required to illustrate the expected production of their idea with a mockup / prototype / sample / scaled-down pilot trial.
While the course is normally offered to students in the second term of their third year (Y3T2), they are required to form an interdisciplinary team, prepare a preliminary plan, find a supervisor, and pre-register for the course in the preceding term (Y3T1).
GECC 4130 Senior Seminar
This is a student-oriented teaching (STOT) capstone course for senior year students. Students will form an interdisciplinary team to conduct a small group research on topics of interdisciplinary nature, current affairs, cross-disciplinary knowledge or daily life issues.
Students are required to pre-register for the course in the second term of the preceding year, normally the 3rd year of study (Y3T2). With preliminary work and most of the research being carried out in the second term and the summer of the preceding academic year, students are enrolled to the course in Term 1, normally in the 4th year of study (Y4T1), where students will deliver an oral presentation, exchanging ideas with one another in a seminar context and submit written work.
This course cultivates knowledge and skills in problem solving, critical thinking and value judgment; nurtures appropriate attitude and techniques in crossdisciplinary collaboration, rational and contributive teamwork as well as analysis with multiple perspectives.
GECC 1000 College Assembly
All students are required to take this course in all their years of study. The programme of the Friday Assembly includes lectures, panel discussions, performance, etc. The main objective is to broaden the horizon of students concerning social, ethical, intellectual, cultural, educational, religious, artistic and aesthetic aspects of life. It is hoped that students would develop an affirmative attitude towards life through participation in the programme. Each student has to attend at least four assembly meetings each term in order to get a “satisfactory” grade for the course. The College initiated “Alternative Activities to Assembly” (AAA) in 2016/17, accepting the completion of at most one recognized AAA each term as equivalent to an attendance record of College Assembly. Recognized AAA includes Head’s Roundtable Dinner, Drama Appreciation, Annual Education Conference, etc.
General Education Office Website: https://www.cuhk.edu.hk/ccc/ge/en
