Requirements of Civic Education
The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen
Study Scheme of Civic Education for Undergraduates
(Revised in August 2024)
All undergraduate students (applicable to all students with Chinese nationality) enrolled in The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen in 2021-22 and thereafter are required to complete all Civic Education (CE) courses which are compulsory for graduation. The CE curriculum is composed of “Ethics and the Rule of Law”, “Modern Chinese History”[1], “Introduction to Marxism”, “Thoughts of Modern China”, “Introduction to Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for A New Era”, “Society and Public Policy in Contemporary China”.
1. Overview of Civic Education Curriculum
1.1 Ethics and the Rule of Law (3 units)
This course aims at guiding the students to become fully developed citizens with great ideals and good sense of morality and the rule of law. The course focuses on discussing ethical/moral and legal issues which are closely related to students’ college life and helps them to understand the world, life, morality, and the rule of law from the perspective of Marxism. It will inspire students to care about the society, the country, and China’s political developments so that they can become responsible citizens who care about the future of China and the Chinese people.
1.2 Introduction to Marxism (3 units)
This course will systematically introduce all aspects of Marxism which include philosophy, history, economics, sociology, and so on. This course will help students to gain a better understanding of Marxism and enable them to observe and analyze social phenomena with a critical perspective.
1.3 Thoughts of Modern China (4 units)
This course mainly introduces the efforts and ideas made by the Communist Party when facing different situations at home and abroad in the past days. Along with the development of China, the Communist Party, as the ruling party, applies the principles of Marxism to China’s specific situations and forms special theories on socialism path, such as Mao Zedong’s thoughts and Deng Xiaoping’s thoughts. Upon completing this course, students are expected to grasp these thoughts and to gain a deep understanding of the historical process, historical reforms, and historical achievements made by the Chinese people under the leadership of the Communist Party. This course includes 1 unit of group projects.
1.4 Introduction to Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era (3 units)
This course aims to let students grasp the core principle, essence, rich implications and requirements of practice of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for A New Era, learn to observe and analyze issues from the perspectives of contemporary Chinese Marxism, and provide students with theoretical basis and ideological method to properly understand contemporary China and the world. Upon completing this course, students are expected to deeply aware that Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for A New Era is the Marxism of contemporary China and of the 21st century and it embodies the best of the Chinese culture and ethos in our times and represents a new breakthrough in adapting Marxism to the Chinese context.
1.5 Society and Public Policy in Contemporary China(1 unit)
This course focuses on current issues in China. Through analyzing hot issues both at home and abroad from a Marxism perspective, this course aims at helping students to develop a good understanding about contemporary Chinese society and the major policies of the Government in handling ever-changing domestic and international challenges. To keep pace with the news and trends around the world, the course will be offered in the form of serial lectures and/or public talks.
Course Title |
Units |
CEC1000 Ethics and the Rule of Law |
3 |
CEC2000 Introduction to Marxism |
3 |
CEC2010 Modern Chinese History (equivalent to GEA2000) |
3 |
CEC3000 Thoughts of Modern China
|
3 |
CEC 4000 Introduction to Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era |
3 |
CEC1020 Group Projects on “Thoughts of Modern China” |
1 |
CEC1010 Society and Public Policy in Contemporary China |
1 |
2. Enrollment Restrictions on CE Courses (Applicable to students with Chinese nationality and admitted in 2021-22 and thereafter)
2.2 Students are required to take all the Civic Education courses in sequence. Students who completed GEA2000 Modern Chinese History and Culture could be exempted from taking CEC2010 Modern Chinese History. For enrollment restriction of GEA, please refer to the requirements related to GEA stipulated in the “General Education Study Scheme”.
2.3 “CEC1000 Ethics and the Rule of Law” is only open to Year One and Year Two students.
2.4 Students are expected to successfully complete “CEC1010 Society and Public Policy in Contemporary China” before the beginning of the fourth academic year. This course will be offered in the form of serial lectures and/or public talks.
2.5 The Group Projects on “CEC3000 Thoughts of Modern China” is assigned 1 unit. Students could get involved in group projects starting from the first year of attendance.
2.6 Recommended Course Pattern
Students are advised to follow the table of course study pattern below for an appropriate learning schedule.
Course Title |
Units |
Recommended Course-taken Term |
Pre-requisite |
Remarks |
3 |
1-4 |
|
|
|
CEC2000 Introduction to Marxism |
3 |
2-6 |
CEC1000 |
|
CEC2010 Modern Chinese History |
3 |
2-8 |
|
Equivalent to GEA2000
|
CEC3000 Thoughts of Modern China |
3 |
3-6 |
CEC1000 |
|
CEC 4000 Introduction to Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era |
3 |
3-6 |
CEC1000
|
|
CEC1020 Group Projects on “Thoughts of Modern China” |
1 |
1-6 |
|
|
CEC1010 Society and Public Policy in Contemporary China |
1 |
1-6 |
|
5 attendances of lectures |
Total |
17 |
|
|
|
2.6.1 CEC1000 Ethics and the Rule of Law is the first CE course and should be completed before the beginning of third academic year.
2.6.2 From the first term of the first year of attendance, students are expected to attend the serial lectures and/or public talks of CEC1010 Society and Public Policy in Contemporary China. Students shall complete at least 5 attendances before the beginning of fourth academic year.
2.6.3 Students could get involved in group projects starting from the first year of attendance. As for the detailed requirements, please refer to the Implementation plan of CEC1020 Students’ Group Projects in CUHKSZ (Trial Version)
[1] Students who completed “GEA2000 Modern Chinese History and Culture” in General Education Area A could be exempted from taking the course “Modern Chinese History” in Civic Education.