Undergraduate Courses 2022-23

a) Under a policy approved by the Senate, exceptions to the general University policy stating that English is the medium of instruction will be permitted when the courses are related to the area of Chinese studies and are approved by the School of Humanities and Social Science. Courses approved to be taught in Chinese carry a [PU] or [CA] notation in the course description, which indicates the spoken language used in teaching: [PU] stands for Putonghua; and [CA] for Cantonese.

b) Courses marked with a [C] in the course description are not taught in Chinese but may require students to read materials in Chinese. Students who have difficulty reading materials in Chinese should consult the instructor concerned prior to enrolling in these courses. For undergraduate courses, alternative English reading materials may be provided.

c) Some courses may use different medium of instruction/materials, either in Chinese or English, for different sections. They will be denoted by a combination of [CA], [PU], [C] and [EN]. Students will need to check the medium of instruction/materials to be used before course enrollment.

• HART 1001

  Arts and Creativity

  2 Credit(s)
  Description

  An experiential learning course designed to engage students in exploring arts and their own creative abilities through a series of lectures/seminars on arts and creativity, art tutorials and enrichment activities. Students will have the opportunities to create their own artwork and learn through guided reflective activities individually as well as in groups.
• HART 1012

  Introduction to Photography

  1 Credit(s)
  Description

  An introduction to the art and expression of photography through brief lectures, hands-on activities and field trip. In this course, students will learn about the history and development of photography, photographers who have helped shape our vision of the world and the great photographs they have made, basic photographic vocabularies, perspectives, concepts, theories and techniques. Students will also experience using photography as a documentary, communication and expressive medium. Upon the completion of this course, students will have a much deeper understanding of the power and breadth of photography through studying how it affected and reflected the societal and cultural changes in societies. Those interested in furthering the artistic skills and gaining more hands-on experience with this art form may enroll in the non-credit co-curricular workshops.
• HART 1013

  Fundamental Technique of Chinese Painting

  1 Credit(s)
  Exclusion(s)

  HART 1042

  Medium of Instruction

  [CA] Cantonese

  Reading Material

  [C] Require Chinese reading

  Description

  This course introduces students to the theories and practice of the various themes of traditional Chinese painting, including Flowers and Birds, Landscape and Figure painting. Through appreciation of masterpieces, in‐class demonstration and class discussion, students will acquire a fundamental knowledge of the historical development and theoretical issues of Chinese painting. Students will learn the basic technique of different brush works, through which they will understand the creative process of Chinese painting, and they will be encouraged to create their own works through the application of the technique and attempt to reform this traditional art form.
• HART 1014

  Introduction to Chinese Calligraphy

  1 Credit(s)
  Medium of Instruction

  [CA] Cantonese

  Reading Material

  [C] Require Chinese reading

  Description

  This is an introductory course on Chinese calligraphy. It will analyze the emergence of calligraphic styles in different dynasties and introduce the masterpieces of some renowned calligraphers. Students will study the history, development and theories of Chinese calligraphy, appreciate the beauty of this art, and learn some basic skills in writing Chinese calligraphy. Those interested in furthering the calligraphic skills and gaining hands-on experience with this art form may enroll in a separate non-credit co-curricular course.
• HART 1015

  Introduction to Single-channel Video Art

  1 Credit(s)
  Description

  This introductory course aims at helping students to appreciate the creative potential of video art. Students will learn the theories and practical skills of single video production, with an emphasis on using video as a creative tool for storytelling and communication. Students will acquaint and explore with the creative components and the concepts used for that expression.
• HART 1017

  Introduction to Contemporary Dance

  1 Credit(s)
  Description

  This course introduces contemporary dance as a departure from dance traditions, and as an art that focuses strongly on personal creativity. Contemporary dance is thus not only about art making but also exploring personal and social meanings. Through examining a range of texts and videos from different parts of the world at lectures, students will learn to appreciate different ways in which significant practitioners make dances. They will also be introduced to the historical, social or political contexts, and the ideas that inform these practices. In practice sessions, a range of physical, experiential approaches will be introduced to help students create with movement. Students interested in furthering the artistic skills and gaining hands-on experience with this art form may enroll in a separate non-credit co-curricular course.
• HART 1018

  Introduction and Appreciation of Chinese Dance

  1 Credit(s)
  Medium of Instruction

  [PU] Putonghua

  Reading Material

  [C] Require Chinese reading

  Description

  This is an introductory course on Chinese dance which is an important traditional Chinese art form, through brief lecturing and studio practice focusing on Chinese Classical Dance and Chinese Folk Dance. Students will be able to understand and appreciate the history, development, as well as characteristics of this art form in different historical periods through introductions on the concepts, theories and masterworks of Chinese dance. Hands-on activities are emphasized to help students learn the basic skills of Chinese dance and experience using it as a medium of expression. 課程由淺入深介紹具有五千多年中國傳統文化的中國舞蹈藝術。內容包括中國古典舞和中國民俗民間舞兩大類，學生將認識中國雅俗文化的不同風貌、特徵和歷史發展；課程以理論學習和身體實踐兩方面進行，通過欣賞有代表性的經典作品，培養學生對舞蹈藝術的鑒賞力，提高個人藝術素質。
• HART 1020

  Introduction to Experimental Drawing

  1 Credit(s)
  Description

  This course aims at bringing to students a broadened understanding of drawing through taking a fresh and experimental approach to the study of various media. Students are guided through a discovery journey of drawing to learn how to "read" drawings, how lines and space are organized, what visual effects or concepts are communicated, and to develop a creative approach in problem solving. They will experiment with line, tone, texture, scale and composition, and work with different media and tools to approach a broad range of subjects from still life to abstract pattern.
• HART 1021

  A Contemporary Approach to Painting

  1 Credit(s)
  Description

  This introductory painting course covers the concepts, theories, problems and production of Contemporary Painting, as well as selected painting practices of the artists in the 20th and 21st century and the stories behind renowned paintings. Students will learn to use painting skills such as canvas preparation, paint application, color mixing as a medium of expression and communication. They will also use acrylic to create painting from still life and paint on unconventional surface in an experimental way. Critical thinking skills are developed through art work presentations, critique and an exhibition. Those interested in furthering the artistic skills and gaining hands-on experience with this art form may enroll in a separate non-credit co-curricular workshop.
• HART 1022

  Introduction to Acting

  1 Credit(s)
  Medium of Instruction

  [CA] Cantonese
  [EN] Taught in Eng/Chin subject to diff. offerings

  Reading Material

  [C] Require Chinese reading

  Description

  This course introduces the basic principles of acting developed by Russian maestro Stanislavsky. Through applying these principles in a series of practical exercises, students will have an experiential understanding of the theory and practice of theatre arts. The in-class activities can give students a refreshing stimulus to both body and mind, unleash their imagination and develop their inborn ability of acting further. Students will also be guided to appreciate the art of an actor by watching a theatre performance. Discussion and analysis will be focused in both historical and current theatre practices. Upon the completion of this course, students will have an elementary understanding of contemporary theatre arts. The course may be offered in separate sections either in Chinese or English. Students are advised to check the medium of instruction/materials before class enrollment.
• HART 1023

  Introduction to Experimental Animation

  1 Credit(s)
  Description

  This introductory course aims at guiding students to explore the art of animation through producing drawing, cut-ups, roto-scoping, photographic and object animation with digital and traditional tools. By introducing non-mainstream techniques and mediums for creating time-based imagery, students will learn both practical skills and theories of animation as a visual art form for artistic expression and communication. Through brief lecturing, students will acquaint themselves with the history and development of experimental animation and its influences to moving image arts in general. The hands-on activities will allow students to explore freely the principles of animation starting from manual techniques such as simple flip-books and zoetropes. Students will also learn to create animation from common computer software, such as Photoshop and Aftereffect.
• HART 1024

  Introduction to Creative Cantonese Playwriting

  1 Credit(s)
  Medium of Instruction

  [CA] Cantonese

  Reading Material

  [C] Require Chinese reading

  Description

  This course introduces the basic elements of playwriting. Students will be encouraged to express their concerns and feelings through drama. They will also learn to appreciate a play and have a preliminary understanding of Hong Kong theatre. Representative plays in the world drama repertoire, with emphasis on Hong Kong theatre, will be selected for illustration in class. Each student is expected to write a short play at the end of the course. They will be guided through practical exercises to find and develop the materials for writing the play.
• HART 1025

  Introduction to New Topographic Photography

  1 Credit(s)
  Description

  The New Topographic photographers acknowledged people’s interaction with the land by picturing built urban environments. It signaled a new approach to landscape photography that adopted an aesthetic of apparent objectivity, while taking as its subject matter the effects of humanity on the modern landscape. Students taking this course will learn about the history, development, theories and skills of “New Topographic” photography.
• HART 1026

  Connecting Acting with Public Speaking

  1 Credit(s)
  Description

  This course introduces the basic concepts of theatre performance. Through theatre games, improvisation and in-class weekly based practices, students could explore their own potentials, creativities and train their senses. Since speaking is one of the major requirements for an actor, this course also examines the aspects of voice production and public speaking skills. Students will learn to free their voice and examine the intimacy between voice and acting.
• HART 1027

  Fundamental Techniques in Stage Movement

  1 Credit(s)
  Description

  This course introduces students to the theories and physical practices of stage movement and the development of non-verbal communication skills. Through a multitude of exercises, students will learn to explore movement and their own body in a group context, and realize how movement is generated from emotion and reflects emotion. Students will also learn how to relate movement with space, use their imagination to explore movement, and the techniques to utilize the body for effective communication. The course also focuses on continuous training on flexibility, coordination and physical strength, so that the body is physically and mentally fit for sustaining performances.
• HART 1028

  Devised Theatre: Contemporary Creative Process for Performance

  1 Credit(s)
  Description

  Contemporary Theatre has developed to take on many forms beyond naturalistic drama, including Dance Theatre, Multimedia Theatre, Physical Theatre, Site-Specific Theatre and more new forms are constantly emerging. These exciting forms of theatre are often created with the method called Devised Theatre which is a highly collaborative and experimental way of making theatre pieces. It is widely adopted by many contemporary theatre groups of different scales and styles all over the world. In Devised Theatre, all participants work together to create a performance, on a theme of their choice, by making use of various starting materials including photos, objects, songs, news articles, maps, letters, poems, creative writings, movements and even architectural space. In this course, students will become creative performers who will create, edit, design and perform a short piece of original theatre work.
• HART 1029

  Multicultural Dramatic Works

  1 Credit(s)
  Description

  In this highly practical performance-based theatre course, students will be exposed to dramatic works by influential modern and contemporary playwrights in diverse cultural and social backgrounds. Students will explore how drama as an art form operates to critically examine, deeply reflect and artistically transform stories, social phenomenon and human conditions in various cultures. Through the guided and imaginative journeys, students will have the opportunity to take on the roles of performers, directors and even designers to practice theatre-making skills. Students will apply drama knowledge and skills in studying, analyzing and performing plays of different genres with multicultural backgrounds including Greek & French, Singaporean & Chinese, American & German, and English & German. Throughout the course, students will often find themselves working in small groups and taking on various roles to explore the metaphors and meaning of the plays, turning the dramatic text on paper into a 3-dimensional performance, with specific performing styles and techniques.
• HART 1030

  Introduction to Chinese Painting in the Past Century

  1 Credit(s)
  Exclusion(s)

  HART 1042

  Medium of Instruction

  [CA] Cantonese

  Reading Material

  [C] Require Chinese reading

  Description

  Traditional Chinese painters learned to paint mainly through apprenticeship and copying masters’ works, and regarded painting as a medium of self-expression. The unique painting style of each artist often reflects his/her artistic lineage and knowledge, as well as personal temperament, value and taste. This course gives a brief introduction to the development of Chinese Painting in the past century. While inheriting the traditional model of Chinese Painting, new presentation styles and contents reflecting ordinary lives and society in that period were also explored and created in numerous paintings in response to the dramatic social and political change since the turn of the 20th century. This course focuses on introducing students to the painting styles of a few Chinese painters of the past century, teaching them to appreciate the artists’ artistic perceptions and social roles embodied in their works. Through copying and imitating their styles, students will have hands-on practice of the painting principles and skills of Chinese Painting. 傳統中國繪畫透過師徒傳承學習，畫家視繪畫為表達個人志趣的媒介，繪畫作品的風格往往反映了畫家的師承，性情，品味與學養。十九世紀末以來的中國繪畫，一方面繼承了傳統繪畫學習與表現的模式，一方面因應時代的變革，開發出許多創新的技法與反映當下民生社會的題材。本課程將以近百年中國畫家為切入點，引導學生學習不同繪畫風格，並了解畫者所處時代的社會角色。透過臨摹名家畫作，讓學生研習中國繪畫之畫理與技法等特點。
• HART 1033

  The Art and Making of Dance Video

  1 Credit(s)
  Description

  Dance video is not simply recording a dance performance, but is an intermedia art genre taking the advantage of both video and dance elements to create a dance video artistically. Benefited by modern technology, dance video leads audiences to go beyond physical constrains, appreciating the movement in space with a different dimension, while dancers, choreographer and video makers could craft and capture movements and push the edge on artistic creation and expression. This intermedia art course aims at arousing students' interest in dance video through an inspiring and enjoyable experience. Students will learn the development of this intermedia art related to experiments with body and video. They will be guided to explore body movements and dance, while at the same time learning skills of shooting and editing to produce a video artwork. Students will work in a team and collaborate to produce a short dance video with their own cameras or smartphones. No prior experience in dance and video is required.
• HART 1034

  Light and Art

  1 Credit(s)
  Description

  This course aims at introducing students to modern concepts of light and art, and to lead them to realize a light installation using artificial light sources. Students will learn to experiment with light and shadow, and will explore artistic spatial concepts to engage the audience in their artworks and/or create site-and purpose-specific installations on the UST campus. The light sources used in this course will be mainly found and ready-made products available in Hong Kong on a budget. The students will be encouraged to work in small groups to be able to complete larger and more complex installations. Upon the completion of the course the students will have learnt to make use of common products and physical phenomena to create an unconventional artistic experience.
• HART 1035

  Public Art Interventions

  1 Credit(s)
  Description

  This course aims to introduce students without artistic background into hands‐on art making for the public realm. Students will look into contemporary concepts of art in public space, such as interventions and guerrilla art, and learn how art has the potential to transform our everyday perception of our life, as taking art from a gallery context into the public can be challenging and thought provoking, yet at the same time playful and meaningful. As part of the course, participants will explore UST campus for its artistic potential, and complete a series of site‐specific interventions using spatial concepts, methodologies, techniques and materials available. Most likely the interventions will be ephemeral only, yet the effect and memory they create for the passing audience will be longer lasting. The interventions will also encourage direct interaction with and feedback from the audience, thus provide participants opportunities to very actively get involved with their daily community.
• HART 1036

  Introduction to Graphic Design

  1 Credit(s)
  Exclusion(s)

  ISDN 3200

  Description

  Graphic design is the art of communication through the combination of images and words into a unified form to convey a clear message to an audience. Common uses of graphic design include logos, signs, publications, posters, print advertisements, product packaging and web sites, etc. This course aims to introduce students to what graphic design is and the design process. The basic elements, principles and process of graphic design will be explored and illustrated by works of famous graphic designers. Through the problem-solving approach, students will learn how to apply the design basics to create graphic design solutions. Although the course is focused on printed matter, design for the screen such as web sites will be discussed. Class time is devoted to lectures, exercises, and critiques where students are asked to evaluate each other’s work. Such evaluations are very important in the development of analytical thinking and communication proficiency.
• HART 1038

  Introduction to Portrait Photography

  1 Credit(s)
  Description

  Capturing a person’s face with a camera is easy but making a meaningful representation of that person through photography requires not only photographic techniques, but also the ability to communicate, understand and make insightful interpretation of one’s personality. In this course, students will acquaint themselves with the history and development of Portraiture in different art forms, learn to analyze portraits taken by master photographers, and acquire knowledge and skills necessary to make a good portrait through hand-on practices and photo editing workshops. Basic photography knowledge is preferred but not necessary.
• HART 1039

  The Art of Narrative in Drama

  1 Credit(s)
  Description

  Narrative is found in all forms of expressive arts. In drama, making a narrative is sometimes simply called story-telling, which is one of the earliest forms of performance. Understanding the art of narrative is fundamental to understanding and appreciating drama and other performing arts. Narrative forms, or stories, are building blocks of our cultural identity. The artistic skills of story-telling are therefore crucial in life events wherever communication of ideas and meaning-making of life experience is necessary. In this highly practical course, students will learn about how to structure a narrative by applying various drama and aesthetic elements. Through individual, paired and small group exercises, students will learn to narrate stories from various perspectives, investigate the use of dramatic language, acquire vocal and physical skills to make the story-telling more vivid and meaningful. By the end of the course, each student will create and perform a piece of original story-telling.
• HART 1040

  Western Fashion, 1850 to Nowadays

  1 Credit(s)
  Description

  In this course, students will explore the development of western fashion styles from the mid-19th century to nowadays. Students will study and reflect on fashion with a historical perspective through introducing important fashion trends, icons, designers and material development. The course will also open students’ mind to the discussion of how fashion interacts with social changes, as reflected in the development of the hippies’ style, the social status of women, globalization and the growth of fashion enterprises. As an integral part of the course, students will learn sewing techniques and utilize sewing equipment, which can be applied in the creation of a finished garment by themselves. Students learn to appreciate the practical, historical and artistic integration of fashion design.
• HART 1041

  Singing on Stage

  1 Credit(s)
  Description

  This course aims at introducing the versatile qualities of singing and its important role in performing arts. It will start with individual singing, then progress to duet and ensemble singing. Singing techniques employed in various performances nowadays, such as pop singing and musicals will be studied, analyzed and practiced. Furthermore, students will experience basic stage and body movement techniques and incorporate them into singing to spice up a performance. No previous singing or performing experience is required.
• HART 1042

  Ink and Color - Experiencing Chinese Painting

  1 Credit(s)
  Exclusion(s)

  HART 1013, HART 1030, Level 2 or above in HKDSE Chinese, Score 100 or above in JEE Chinese

  Description

  This Chinese Painting course is intended for non-Chinese speaking students who have limited experience in Chinese painting, language and culture. In this introductory course, students will start with an understanding of ink, pigments, paper and brushes, and also the proper gesture for painting. Important Chinese artists and their masterpieces will then be introduced so that the students can learn to appreciate Chinese paintings and the history and culture behind. Students will learn how to draw flowers and animals and compose different objects into a painting in this studio art course.
• HART 1043

  Mask Theater: Exploring Mankind through Masks

  1 Credit(s)
  Description

  Mask is a magical, artistic tool that unites imagination, body, feeling and thinking. Mask theater is a genre in theater which is tightly used in exploring human nature. In mask theater, actors put on masks not just to exaggerate their facial expressions, but to get in touch with the mental and spiritual exploration of human being. In this course, students will learn the basic principles, knowledge and skills of mask and mask theater through games, exercises and creative process. They will explore the personal and social dimensions of human nature through the use of masks. Based on the pedagogy of the French actor and educator Jacques Lecoq, various types of masks and mask performances will be introduced. Students will explore and perform with various types of masks throughout the course. Eventually, they will create their own mask performance.
• HART 1044

  Science on Stage

  1 Credit(s)
  Description

  Science and Theater both seek to examine and interpret the world to build up knowledge and insights about life. Scientists work on getting closer and closer to the truth behind the phenomenon observed in life, while Theater artists dissect and reveal the truth of lived experiences from different perspectives. The two disciplines are therefore crucial in the betterment of humanity and our relationship with the world. In this practicum arts course, students will explore the beauty of the synthesis of Science and Theater through the study of selected influential plays on science and humanity, and interactive drama workshops exploring the science in performing arts, and the humanity and dramatic nature in science. The drama experience will deepen students' understanding of the connection between science and drama. With the acquired performing skills, the exploration of scientific concepts, and the understanding developed about the plays, students will work in small groups to perform excerpts of the plays in class.
• HART 1045

  Exploring Puppetry: Creating a Shadow Puppet Production

  1 Credit(s)
  Description

  This course adopts an introductory and interdisciplinary approach to help students appreciate the theory, history and practice of the art of puppetry. Students will develop a script, design and build shadow puppets, choreograph and rehearse a show, produce a sound track, design lighting and perform the show. Students will learn about basic puppet types, such as the difference between a puppet and a marionette. We will examine puppets from around the world and how technological innovations, especially lighting, sound, video and special effects, are changing puppetry. Students will see examples of actual puppets before they design and make their own.
• HART 1046

  Introduction to Interior Design

  1 Credit(s)
  Description

  In this course, students will learn how to develop an interior design project for a specific purpose, focusing on style, materials, colours and other design elements to serve the purpose. They will research into existing projects and define their own style with the aim of developing new design thinking methods. They will be introduced to the fundamental design strategies for residential, retail and visual merchandising purposes. They will be guided to research into innovative materials and exemplary projects, and learn to present their ideas using different presentation tools of the professionals.
• HART 1047

  Introduction to Chinese Landscape Painting

  1 Credit(s)
  Medium of Instruction

  [CA] Cantonese

  Reading Material

  [C] Require Chinese reading

  Description

  Of the three main categories of traditional Chinese painting, namely, landscape, flower‐and‐bird, and figure painting, landscape painting has developed a unique significance through history. Painters in every dynasty and epoch, whether official imperial court painters or literati painters in their cultural circles, have made brilliant achievements in this field. They may have different focuses, techniques and presentation methods of nature; nevertheless, what they always show is the inner scenery of the painter, the ideal world constructed by the painter. Students will learn basic brush techniques, through which they will understand the creative process of Chinese painting with the focus on landscape painting. They will be encouraged to create their own works through the application of the techniques and attempts to reform this traditional art form. 中國繪畫以山水、花鳥、人物為三大主要分科。山水畫發展歷史悠久，經歷不同朝代及社會民生的變化，包含著複雜卻又千絲萬縷的關係。無論宮廷畫院，文人派系，甚至新中國時期以祖國建設為題的山水作品，都是以傳統基礎為依，堅守外師造化，卻不失時代環境的獨特個性。透過學習山水畫，通過臨摹、作品觀摩、範本挑選、課堂示範和練習等，同學不但能學習相關技法，也能對中國藝術的審美能力有所提升。
• HART 1048

  Fashion Art and Styling

  1 Credit(s)
  Description

  In this course, students will explore the craft and visual expression of fashion design. Students will learn to work with fabrics and unconventional materials to produce mixed media fashion art and design. Sewing techniques and other material manipulation learned in the class will be applied to creating a finished garment, and at the end of the course, students will undertake a fashion photo‐shooting exercise to promote their own work.