This module aims to introduce the basic concepts and theories of political science that are applicable to the governance and politics of Hong Kong. It will lay a solid foundation for all the participants in the programme. There are four interrelated themes in this module: (1) Fundamental concepts and theories of politics; (2) Political institutions; (3) Political actors; and (4) Political relations. The module begins with a review of the basic principles, concepts, theories and various perspectives of politics, covering the definition of politics, the functions of political system, the types of regimes, the executive, the legislature, the judiciary, interest groups, civil service, bureaucratic politics, political parties, public opinion, mass media, public policy making, public policy implementation, central-local relations, local government and autonomy, constitutions and legal system, and foreign relations. The Hong Kong SAR and the Mainland China will be used extensively as practical examples to illustrate and highlight all these topics for relevant discussion.

 

This module aims to build up networking abilities and practical concepts of the participants as well as actual participation in dialogues with various political stakeholders in Hong Kong and if possible, elsewhere. A wide range of selected political problems and public policy issues that are related to the four inter-related themes delivered in Module 1 will be covered that help build up specific policy understanding, skills and applications.

This module aims to provide opportunities for the participants to apply what they have learnt from the other three modules to review and examine various critical/complex issues and challenges in politics, policy making and governance of the Hong Kong SAR. It provides the training of policy research and analysis skills, which will be essential in the development of political leadership.  Guided by the project supervisors, the participants will be organized into eight Policy Project Teams (4-5 members each). Each team will have to choose a well-defined policy issue/topic for their collective group project and produce a Policy Project Report by the end of the programme. Each project team has to present its policy project to the entire class, including class debate in the policy project sessions. Selected Policy Project Teams may have the opportunity to present their project findings to invited government policy secretaries concerned (if possible). All these teams’ presentations/debates will be assessed by the project supervisors and/or invited specialists in the field.