香港城市大学

This major aims to equip degree-level graduates with broad knowledge of criminology and sociological practice; and professional competence to conduct sociological research to solve problems in organizational, community, societal, national, and international contexts with a particular interest in protecting the public and maintaining Hong Kong as one of the safest cities in the world. Students will procure knowledge and skills necessary to undertake managerial and executive responsibilities in a wide range of professions, including policing, crime prevention, security services, correctional services, conflict resolution, social analysis, societal planning, marketing research, and the operation of non-governmental organizations. Ample opportunities are provided for students to develop an interest in discovery and innovation to benefit society through crime control and reduction, and societal development and improvement with the application of various sociological practices.

Students in this major will be able to take a certain number of courses in both criminology and sociology and will thus have a broadened exposure to theories and skills training in both disciplines. This broad knowledge base will surely strengthen the employability of graduates. Sample areas of employment for our graduates include positions in law enforcement agencies (e.g. Hong Kong Police Force, Correctional Services Department, Customs and Excise Department, Immigration Department, and Fire Services), schools and universities, non-governmental organisations, security or risk management departments in private companies, research institutes and marketing research firms, media industries, and public relations firms.

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

• Describe a range of key concepts, theories and professional values in criminology and applied sociology;
• Identify and criticize underlying assumptions of and devise interventions against social problems and criminal issues with a particular interest in different types of informal and formal strategies;
• Apply qualitative and quantitative research methods and analyse different sociological and criminological perspectives for explaining social problems and crimes;
• Evaluate the applicability of sociological and criminological theories and develop innovative ideas in preventing crimes and creative ways of reducing re-offending in the local context;
• Evaluate the function and operation of social institutions and law enforcement agencies in the criminal justice system;
• Conduct investigation of research independently; analyses the impacts of social, technological, and environmental changes on individuals and society; present research findings clearly and systematically to the public; and provide creative suggestions and/or solutions for preventing crimes and other social problems;
• Design programs, generate alternatives, invent ideas, and construct cost-effective means for sustaining social order and safety.