Social Sciences Education (Docent Training)

The objective of the programme is to provide comprehensive and in-depth docent education that spans Chinese cultural history from ancient to modern times, with a particular focus on South China and Hong Kong, while incorporating international standards related to ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance), SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals), and sustainable practices. The programme emphasises the interconnection between community, interpreter (docent), and environment from cultural, historical, and ecological perspectives, offering students a broader interpretive framework. It aims to equip professional docent managers and leaders with the capability to plan and deliver docent-led activities and train docent teams in Chinese languages (Putonghua or Cantonese) across diverse contexts, including museums, island tours, geoparks, and both private and public cultural organisations.

(All versions are subject to the Chinese-language webpage as the final authoritative reference.)

On completion of the programme, students should be able to:

1. Critically identify and interpret cultural heritage within the context of Chinese tradition and its ecology, historical development and contemporary role;

2. Analyse and compare clan systems and cultural transmission mechanism in historical and modern Chinese societies to design culturally sensitive docent activities;

3. Examine the interconnection between culture and nature (natural landscapes, cultural heritage, education, environment, ecology) and integrate interdisciplinary knowledge to design innovative docent-led interpretation experiences that promote sustainability and inheritance;

4. Apply integrated management strategies to propose evidence-based improvement plans for docent operations;

5. Use the knowledge of Chinese culture to evaluate sustainable cultural development and formulate related strategies, explaining the role of cultural conservation policies and intellectual property in safeguarding cultural assets; and

6. Design and integrate docent training programmes featuring Hong Kong cultural distinctiveness, demonstrating leadership, cultural understanding, and professional competence through presentation or practicum.

7. critically evaluate and apply interdisciplinary knowledge, concepts and professional skills across diverse intercultural, organisational and technological contexts, and to exercise informed judgment in addressing complex real-world issues; and

8. critically evaluate, integrate and apply subject knowledge and appropriate methodologies in the planning and execution of a significant project, and to communicate evidence-based findings, conclusions and recommendations in an academic/professional manner.

FEATURES

• The only programme with HKQF Level 6 in Hong Kong dedicated to docent education and leadership, filling a critical gap in professional training.

• Interlinkage of History, Community, Ecology, Sustainability and Management
  Goes beyond traditional heritage interpretation by embedding environmental storytelling and sustainability concepts.

• Interdisciplinary Curriculum Design
  Covers history, ecology, policy, intellectual property, management and leadership, curriculum design offering diverse career pathways.

• Leadership and Management Orientation
  Equips graduates to lead docent teams and manage docent related projects.

• Experiential Learning
  Combines theory with practice through field-based outings and practicum.

• Global Alignment and Cultural Authenticity
  Delivered in Chinese (Cantonese and Putonghua) and integrates ESG principles and UNESCO SDGs to link local heritage interpretation with international sustainability frameworks.

CORE MODULES

1. Module 1: Docent Education in the Chinese Tradition, Cultural Ecology and Historical Development

2. Module 2: Docent Interpretation of Social Structures and Family Heritage in Chinese Communities

3. Module 3: Docent Education in Nature Interpretation: Educational, Experiential, and Value‑oriented Approaches to Natural Environments

4. Module 4: Docent Programme Design and Practices

5. Module 5: Docent Analysis: Value Creation and Management of Chinese Intellectual Property

6. Module 6: Docent Education Management and Leadership

7. Module 7: Applied Skill Practicum

* Common Generic Modules (CGM)

Students have the unique opportunity to study the following Common Generic Modules (CGM) alongside peers from other postgraduate programmes:

1. Executive Leadership Development

2. Intercultural Communication – Trilingualism and Hong Kong Culture

3. Intelligent Technologies for ESG Integration and Sustainable Development

Taken together, these modules provide a coherent set of advanced generic learning experiences that broaden students’ intellectual and professional horizons, reinforce transferable capabilities, and enhance the relevance of the individual programmes to contemporary postgraduate education.

* Capstone Project

The Capstone Project is designed to provide students with an extended opportunity to synthesise and apply the knowledge, concepts and skills developed through both their discipline-specific studies and the CGMs. In pedagogical terms, the Capstone Project will incorporate a range of non-lecture learning activities, such as e-learning tasks, seminars, site visits, field trips, practice-based exploration and other supervised experiential or enquiry-based activities. Emphasis is placed on integration, independent inquiry, application, critical reflection and the production of work that demonstrates advanced learning achievement.

*Subject to approval

Elective Modules (Choose any 2 modules from the 6 modules listed below)

• Docent Studies in South China Folk Culture: Theory and Practice

• Docent Perspectives on Feng Shui and Traditional Chinese Architecture

• Docent Engagement: Traditional Crafts and Performing Arts of South China

• Projects and Risk Management in Docent Training

• Cantonese and Canton Culture Docent Training

• Planning for Sustainable Practices in Docent Training

Programme Specific Activities

During the study period, students will have the opportunity to participate in programme-specific activities such as field trips and career talks, all tailored to their individual needs. These activities are designed to foster stronger connections with industry and provide students with invaluable hands-on experiences in the real world. This exposure will not only help students set goals that align with their interests and aspirations but also facilitate their future career plans, ensuring they are well-prepared for their professional journeys.

ASSESSMENT

This course uses Chinese as the language of assessment. It adopts continuous assessment methods—such as class participation, in-class group presentations, and reports—as well as summative assessments, including group reports and individual reflective reports, as the main forms of evaluation. The overall passing mark is 50%.

Award

Upon successful completion of the programme, students who have passed the assessment with attendance no less than 80% will be awarded within the HKU system through HKU SPACE a “Postgraduate Diploma in Chinese Docent Education and Leadership”.

HK$600 (Non-refundable)

• Course Fee: HK$158,000

Applicants shall hold a bachelor’s degree awarded by a recognised institution.

• If the degree or equivalent qualification is from an institution where the language of teaching and assessment is not Chinese, applicants shall provide evidence of Chinese proficiency, such as:

1. HKCEE Chinese Language at Grade E or above (obtained before 2007); or

2. HKCEE Chinese Language at Level 2 or above (obtained in or after 2007); or

3. HKDSE Examination Chinese Language at Level 2 or above; or

4. completion of any Chinese Language or related programmes or modules at undergraduate level; or

5. equivalent qualifications.

And

• Applicant shall possess competency in the understanding and use of English, such as:

1. The degree or equivalent qualification is from an institution where the language of teaching and assessment is English; or

2. HKCEE English Language at Grade E (Syllabus B) (Grade C in the case of English Language (Syllabus A)) or above (before 2007); or

3. HKCEE English Language at Level 2 or above (in or after 2007); or

4. HKDSE Examination English Language at Level 2 or above; or

5. equivalent qualifications.

And

• Pass an interview assessment.

Applicants with other qualifications will be considered on individual merit.

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