This course is designed for students with an interest in understanding all aspects of social life and social relations especially those who will undertake a dissertation study. Starting with the question what is reality, the course begins with an introduction to different perspectives on approaching reality, followed by an assessment of the general strengths and weaknesses of qualitative research in comparison with other conventions such as quantitative surveys. The lectures will focus on introducing the general process of ethnographic research and the variety of methods for data collection and analysis including ethnography, grounded theory, observation, interviewing, focus groups and narrative analysis, etc. Various cases will be used to demonstrate how qualitative research helps make meaningful policy and social work practice. Seminars will be organized around practical methodological issues with the objective of helping students proceed with their own research projects. Hands-on experience of a range of research techniques will also be provided.

This course covers various statistical analyses that include single variable, bivariate, and multivariate analyses. Appropriate analyses for different types of data will be discussed and various techniques in scale development including reliability and factor analysis will be introduced. Apart from various multivariate linear modeling and path analysis, non-parametric analyses will also be introduced.

The Hong Kong society and the world at large have unfolded multifarious new social phenomena that pose new challenges to professional social work practice. The social work professional community has to develop new insights in understanding the nature of such problems and challenges, and to accordingly devise timely and appropriate intervention to address these issues. This course aims at introducing the concept of social entrepreneurship and how it creates social change. We will examine the current global development of social entrepreneurship as well as local development and its development in Greater China and South East Asian countries. We will inspire our students to become an active agent in addressing the pressing social issues and making social change.

There are emerging new issues and problems as well as challenges in the social service sector that require managers and practitioners to be equipped with updated knowledge and skills in tackling such problems and facing such challenges. This course will bring in the most contemporary issues, problems and challenges, with reference to updated research findings and innovative practices in the field, to enable students to be well prepared for performing their managerial duties in the social service sector.

Assessment: 100% coursework

There are emerging new issues and problems as well as challenges in the social service sector that require managers and practitioners to be equipped with updated knowledge and skills in tackling such problems and facing such challenges. This course will bring in the most contemporary issues, problems and challenges, with reference to updated research findings and innovative practices in the field, to enable students to be well prepared for performing their managerial duties in the social service sector. Assessment: 100% coursework

Social service organisations operate in an environment with various stakeholders, like service users, service purchasers, volunteers, donors, funders, neighbours, policymakers and press, etc., who have different exchange relationships with them. Marketing is about the effective management of an organisation’s exchange relationships with its various markets and publics. This course provides students with the theoretical concepts and skills in marketing that are applicable in the social service sector with an emphasis both on using traditional and digital techniques. Upon completion of the course, students will be able to master the basic and latest principles of marketing and apply them in social service context.

Assessment: 100% coursework

Resource is necessary for an NGO to support its means and services in actualizing the mission. Securing funds have become more and more competitive and NGOs have attempted to diversify sources of funding. Raising funds, writing proposals and developing innovative ways to generate resources have become regular activities of NGOs. This course covers topics such as understanding of giving behaviour and the current trend of philanthropy, cost-effectiveness of various fundraising activities, effective strategies including building a prospective relationship, essential elements in a grant proposal and pitching, presentation of results and impacts, accountability and report, handling of ethical issues and risk management etc.

Assessment: 100% coursework

There are emerging new issues and problems as well as challenges in the social service sector that require managers and practitioners to be equipped with updated knowledge and skills in tackling such problems and facing such challenges. This course will bring in the most contemporary issues, problems and challenges, with reference to updated research findings and innovative practices in the field, to enable students to be well prepared for performing their managerial duties in the social service sector.

This course introduces concepts and system for better understanding and in-depth analysis on practice of corporate governance of social service organization receiving public funding. It emphasizes, from the management perspective on the leadership of board and senior management/social work professionals for effective service and achievement of mission of the organization. It takes reference to real life cases and issues. It stimulates development of a framework to understand perspectives of different stakeholders and for ongoing application and developing effective intervention.

This course is suitable for candidates who are in position, from frontline team leader to senior supervisor, or aim to become future leaders in social service organization with management responsibility.

Assessment: 100% coursework

This course aims to equip students with knowledge and skills in handling and utilizing information and communication technology in managing social service organizations and service delivery. The course content includes: Trends and issues of technological development in society and human services, process of developing and managing IT projects, use of ICT and social media in direct services, Assistive technology and gerontechnology, Security and ethical use of ICT and social media, and Emerging trends and its future use in human services.

Assessment: 100% coursework