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Master of Social Sciences in Development Studies
Programme
Master of Social Sciences in Development Studies
社會科學碩士(發展研究)
Award Title
Master of Social Sciences in Development Studies
社會科學碩士(發展研究)
Offering Academic Unit
Department of Public and International Affairs
Mode of Study
Combined mode

Normal Period of Study

- 1 year (full-time)
- 2 years (part-time/combined mode)

Maximum Period of Study

- 2.5 years (full-time)
- 5 years (part-time/combined mode)

Credit Units Required for Graduation

24
9 credit units to be transferred from Bachelor of Social Sciences in Asian and International Studies / Bachelor of Social Sciences in International Relations and Global Affairs / Bachelor of Arts in Creative Media / Bachelor of Arts and Science in New Media under the Undergraduate plus Taught Postgraduate Degree Programme.

Programme Aims

This programme aims to offer advanced training in international development theory and practice with special emphasis on recent and contemporary development experiences in East Asia. Students will rigorously engage major theoretical and policy debates and enhance their skill sets and competencies for employment across a range of relevant professional fields.


Programme Intended Learning Outcomes (PILOs)

Upon successful completion of this Programme, students should be able to:

  1. Critically engage with major theories, concepts, and debates in development studies and identify their historical, contemporary, and regional significance;
  2. Evaluate the appropriateness of perspectives for the analysis of key development and social change issues spanning politics, the economy, and environment;
  3. Systematically explore and assess options (including policy options and advocacy strategies) for addressing specific development problems in a range of settings;
  4. Compare and explain similarities and differences in development experiences and outcomes in East Asia across different countries, regions, and social groups (e.g. women);
  5. Collaborate in an effective manner with professionals from diverse backgrounds.

Programme Requirements



Core Courses (18 credit units)

Course CodeCourse TitleCredit UnitsRemarks
PIA5001Theories and Approaches in Development Studies3
PIA5003Project Planning and Management for Development3
PIA5048China and the Developing World3
PIA5300Politics and Social Movements in Developing Asia3
PIA5312Comparative Development in Asia3

Students are required to choose ONE of the following courses:
Course CodeCourse TitleCredit UnitsRemarks
PIA6015Master’s Thesis3Only for students who complete PIA5026 with a grade of A or A+
PIA6019MSSDS Capstone Project3Completion by Summer Term (2 credits in Semester B + 1 credit in Summer Term)
PIA6019AMSSDS Capstone Project3Completion by Semester B (3 credits in Semester B)

Notes
Students who intend to write a “Master’s Thesis” (PIA6015) in lieu of the Capstone Project (PIA6019/PIA6019A) must complete PIA5026 Research Design for the Social Sciences in semester A, with a grade of A or above.


Electives (6 credit units)

Course CodeCourse TitleCredit UnitsRemarks
PIA5014Special Topics in Development Studies3
PIA5026Research Design for the Social Sciences3
PIA5032Authoritarian Resilience and Democratic Change in East Asia3
PIA5034East Asia and the US: Conflict and Interdependence3
PIA5038Environmental Challenges in Asia and the World3
PIA5039Human Rights in Asia3
PIA5040BRIC Countries and the Emerging Global Order3
PIA5041Special Topics in Asian and International Studies3
PIA5044Religion and Development3
PIA5049International Organisations3
PIA5051Women and Politics in Asia3
PIA5055History of Sino-Japanese Relations3
PIA5056Power and Culture in Buddhist Southeast Asia3
PIA5304Development Policy and Advocacy3
PIA5308Gender and Development3
PIA5335Welfare Regimes and Social Protection in Asia3
PIA5336Cutting-edge Cases in Development under Late Capitalism3
PIA5337Disaster Management, Development and Regional Governance in Asia3
PIA5338Indonesia: Politics and Society3
PIA5339Labour and Development3
PIA5340Infrastructure Development in China3
PIA5800PIA Postgraduate Internship3For full-time PIA postgraduate students only