Double Degree

Public Policy and Law

Major	Public Policy and Law 公共政策與法律
Degree / Award Title	Bachelor of Social Sciences in Public Policy and Bachelor of Laws 社會科學學士(公共政策)與法律學學士
Offering Academic Unit	This Double Degree is jointly offered by: Department of Public and International Affairs School of Law
Mode of Study	Full-time

Aims of Major

In terms of its law component the programme aims to :

a. provide a liberal education in the theory and practice of law at the level and rigour appropriate for an undergraduate degree;

b. equip students with a critical understanding of law and legal institutions so as to enable them to serve the needs of Hong Kong and the international community; and

c. facilitate the development of a range of intellectual skills, in particular the ability to think analytically and critically, to solve problems, and to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

In terms of its Public Policy component the programme aims to :

a. provide students with a comprehensive education in the common core theories, concepts, and knowledge bases of public policy, public management, and political science;

b. enable students to specialize in public policy, public management, or political science for gaining an understanding of the essential theories, principles, dynamics, and analytic approaches of these bodies of knowledge;

c. equip students with the theoretical, conceptual, and analytical tools to understand comprehensively public policy, public management, and political developments in Hong Kong, China, and the contemporary global world;

d. Produce graduates who can meet effectively the human resources needs of a wide range of public and private sector employers in administrative, management, and policy and political analysis positions, as well as in the media and non-governmental organizations.

The programme also aims in enabling students to develop interdisciplinary approaches to issues of law and public policy.

Intended Learning Outcomes of Major (MILOs)

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

1. Understand and analyze issues in public affairs and public management at the local, international, and global levels.

2. discover new challenges and possible solutions facing Hong Kong and/or the world within the broad spheres of political studies, public policy, and public management.

3. apply communication and leadership skills as they relate to public policy, management, and politics.

4. develop the intellectual and analytical competence required for effective performance and life-long learning in a range of public- and private-sector careers related to policy studies, public management, and public affairs.

5. evaluate critically the ethical issues in public policy, management and politics for creating new ideas

6. analytically and critically discuss the legal system of Hong Kong, including the main substantive/procedural laws, the principles of international law, and evaluate the need for their evolution;

7. describe the law and legal system of the People’s Republic of China and its relation with Hong Kong’s constitutional set-up and commercial future;

8. apply the law to propose solutions to legal problems, existing and emerging;

9. critically evaluate the law in action, the dynamic interplay between law and other social phenomena, real-life situations and international policies and their co-evolution;

10. use a range of legal or intellectual skills – such as reading and interpreting cases and statutes, identifying and evaluating relevant facts, conducting independent legal research, developing and offering solutions to legal problems, using and citing relevant authorities appropriately, drafting documents, and communicating in a coherent, cogent and persuasive manner – to develop and support arguments related to social and legal issues;

11. act with a strong sense of ethics and with due regard to social and professional responsibilities:

12. demonstrate an attitude of inquiry to the evolution of law at national and international level and a sense of curiosity to learning and knowledge:

13. undertake a piece of work involving original discovery and/ or innovation concerning the operation of the law and procedure in Hong Kong.

Degree Requirements

Requirements	Double Degree
Gateway Education requirement*	30 credit units
College / School requirement	0 credit unit (waived)
Major requirement	Public Policy Core Courses: 36 credit units Elective courses: 12 credit units Laws Core courses: 51 credit units Elective courses: 3 credit units
Free electives / Minor (if applicable)	18 credit units
Minimum Graduation Requirement:	150 credit units

* Remark:

For details, please refer to the Curriculum Information Record for Common Requirements

(1) Students are required to take GE2411 Legal English for fulfilment of Discipline-specific GE English requirement.

(2) Students are required to take three College-specified courses offered by CLASS for fulfilment of the 9 credit units of College specified courses under the GE requirement.

Professional Recognition

Students who complete all Law core courses (51 credits) and four PCLL pre-requisites as electives (12 credits) will satisfy all the requirements stipulated by the Standing Committee on Legal Education and Training to apply for admission to Postgraduate Certificate in Laws (PCLL).