Faculty of Humanities

History, Geography, Chinese History, Bible, Tourism and Hospitality Studies (Senior Form), Ethics and Religious Studies (Senior Form)

Introduction

The Faculty of Humanities is composed of Bible, Chinese History, Geography, History, Ethics and Religious Studies (ERS), and Travel & Hospitality studies (THS). For junior secondary, students would have bible lesson once per week throughout the whole academic year while the term-course arrangement of Chinese History, Geography, History enables students to be more focus on one of these subjects within a single time period.

Humanities studies of UCCKE seek to build solid foundations for students’ sound knowledge in various subject areas, as well as skills to connect the past and the present, the natural and the material world. Through various learning activities, students are expected to develop awareness of the diverse ethnic and social value in the society they are living.

Philosophy

We believe in the Creation of God who is in control of both physical and human world. In societies of diverse ethnic-cultural elements and values, students are to exercise critical thinking skills through inquiring, analyzing and evaluating social and environmental issues in studying humanities subjects. They are also learning to apply values and principles such as respecting God’s justice, human dignity, economic fairness and environmental integrity in various situations. In short, the Faculty is preparing students to be responsible citizens shouldering up the future society in God’s way.

Pedagogy

The humanities subjects of UCCKE steer towards ‘learning to learn’ and ‘collaborative learning’ strategies. Learning is skill-based and inquiry approaches are daily practices.
Common characteristics of learning and teaching tasks:

– Evaluating current issues from multiple perspectives – Data analyzing and interpretation
– Group discussion and presentation
– Social research/oral & written presentation

– Small projects
– Relating cause and effects of some phenomena

The acquisition of humanities subject knowledge is not textbook-bound. Learning happens both in and out of classrooms. Field trips, site visits, internet searching, reading and interpreting from various sources are common. There is a wide provi- sion of E-learning platforms.

Aims and objectives

Aims:

Students are expected to learn to:

develop an understanding about the changing relationships of people,
locations and events in the past and how they impact on human society today and in the future;
appreciatethecharacteristicsandvaluesoftheirowncultureandtheinfluenc- es of culture on human life, and develop a respect for the culture and heritage of other communities;
appreciate the interaction between human beings and the environment in terms of the processes and patterns of natural and human features in different places, and participate in sustaining, conserving and improving the environ- ment;
appreciatethattheoptimaluseofresourcesisachievedthroughenterpriseand management, and that people’s participation in economic activities and their ever-changing nature give rise to new work opportunities and conditions;
demonstrateactiveandresponsiblecitizenshipbasedonanunderstandingof the roles, rights and responsibilities of individuals and groups, the importance of social justice and concern for local, national and global issues, and a respect for all of these.

The learning objectives of each subject are provided in greater detail in the individual Department pages.

The assessment

Assessment is an important element for analysing learning progress of student. It provides feedback to teachers and students for improving teaching and learning. Methods of assessment in the Faculty include the following.

A. Formative assessment (assessment for learning, assessment as learning) – mind mapping
– notes making
– oral and written report after field trips and visits

– individual / group projects

– self / peer assessment – short quizzes

B. Assessment of learning – uniform test
– exam

History

History investigates how humans have responded to God’s call to care for and unfold the earth. The S1-S3 curriculum provides students with the knowledge of a broad range of human experiences stretching from ancient times to modern times. It also seeks to develop skills such as chronological thinking, historical comprehension, empathy, enquiry, critical thinking and communication. On completion of the junior course of history, students should be able to master the ways of constructing a sequence of major histor- ical events, elucidating the relationship between events and people, as well as making logical inferences about cause and effect.

Assessment Components

a. Quiz
b. Homework
c. Reading assignment
d. Group research and presentation e. Examination

Geography

Objectives

The study of geography is to enable students to:

developknowledgeandunderstandingofhownaturalenvironmentsinfluence human activities and human activities alter natural environments.
develop lifelong enquiry skills, including the ability to observe and identify issues and problems; ask questions; record, organize, compare, analyze, interpret information and data; present and evaluate the findings, solutions or conclusions.
develop generic skills of communication, critical thinking, problem-solving and creativity.
develop values and attitudes that will enable them to appreciate and show respect for all peoples, and their cultures, values and ways of life; recognize environmental problems and take appropriate action to promote sustainable development.
understandGod’sgracefulandamazingcreations;andlearnhowtomanage the Earth according to His will.