Year 1
For the Dissertation, students work individually with a supervisor on a project related to their specialization. Students of the Historical Research specialization normally research the history of a particular place, person, cultural practice or event for their Dissertation. Students of the Cultural Tourism Management specialization typically carry out a business study of an historical or cultural site. Students of the Design for Cultural Tourism specialization often design an exhibition, website, show or video production about an historical place, person, cultural practice or event. Students in the Architecture and Conservation specialization will research a historical image, theme, motive, object or artefact for their Dissertation.
In some cases, students following the Cultural Tourism Management, Design for Cultural Tourism or Architecture and Conservation specializations may carry out a Dissertation that builds upon an earlier study done by Historical Research specialization students for their Dissertation.
Working in large scale or full scale on projects, students will study the nature of materials, discover new materials and investigate the art of detailing. They will explore designing computer interfaces and products/objects that only exist in a temporal dimension or virtual space.
To explain developments in the Pearl River Delta it is vital to understand events in world history. This module takes students on an intellectual walk through time and space moving continually from the broad to the specific so students gain an in-depth awareness of the many forces shaping the region. Emphasis is placed on encounters and reactions and exploring possible causes and their effects. This pair of linked modules will begin with China and Europe’s expansionary efforts in the early 1400’s, and then follow the motives and movements of the Europeans as they explore the globe, settle in Macao, and establish trade-links with the Chinese empire. China and the delta then become the centre of focus in a wider world of exchanges and interactions that influence and shape the course of history.
At the end of these modules students must decide the topic for their Dissertation, and prepare a Dissertation Proposal.
The Pearl River Delta and Macau were the stepping-stones for many Chinese people to other parts of the world. This course will contribute to the enlargement of the traditional scope of research on Chinese diasporas by exploring destinations of Chinese migration and by discussing the roles of the ethnic identities and cultures that were created by these communities. The course aims to document and prompt a new interest in the community history, heritage and oral testimony of the Chinese Diaspora and Chinese creolised cultures.
This module introduces students to the theory and practice of historical research. Different historical research approaches and methodologies are explained. Important sources of historical data concerning Macau, the Pearl River Delta and Asia are identified and discussed. Methods and techniques for collecting and analyzing historical data considered. As part of this module students carry out an investigation of a selected aspect of the history of the Pearl River Delta.
This module is for Historical Research specialization students and it considers the issues and problems often encountered in locating and collating historical data. As part of this module, students conduct field studies to examine some important historical data sources in the Pearl River Delta.
This module is for Historical Research specialization students and it considers the issues and problems often encountered in analyzing and reporting historical investigations. As part of this module, students critically review some important historical investigations of the Pearl River Delta.
This pair of modules is taken by students pursing the Historical Research specialization and it assists students to sharpen their research skills. Working in Action Research Teams, students plan the research investigation for their Dissertation, and identify information sources and collect historical data relevant to their project. The Action Research Teams meet periodically so that students can share information, get advice from academic staff and support each other in their work. Students also attend one field study for these modules.
Strategy is the set of objectives, policies and resource commitments that collectively determine how a business positions itself to create wealth for its owners. This module introduces students to principles and conceptual frameworks for evaluating and formulating business strategy. The topics covered include the boundaries of the firm, the analysis of industry economics, strategic positioning and competitive advantage, and the role of resources and capabilities in shaping and sustaining competitive advantages. This module discusses Strategic Management within the context of cultural ventures, using specific cases and examples.
In recent years, entrepreneurship has become one of the most popular disciplines in business schools. This module identifies the methods of developing a business idea, and the process of starting a business, acquiring resources and formulating a business plan. It assists students contemplating going into business for themselves at some stage of their career. Alternatively, it teaches students how to induce and manage innovation in larger organizations.
This module examines business operations in the context of cultural tourism. Business positioning, marketing, organization structures, activities and important operational processes are compared and contrasted for different kinds of tourism organizations, including heritage sites, museums and cultural venues, performance centres, travel agencies and tour operators. Important industry trends are also identified. As part of this module, students are required to prepare a business plan for a selected cultural venue.
This module develops student’s skills in practically managing cultural tourism businesses. Working in teams, students are expected to prepare a detailed and comprehensive business plan for a chosen cultural tourism business as part of this module.
In this module, students study the language of visual communications and special design. Methods and techniques for creating exhibitions and theatrical sets to build a dialogue with the viewer or spectator - in a variety of settings; from educational environments, to commercial settings as well as being an interactive tool in the public/social arena will be studied. Moreover, students will study visual narratives, to give form to the written word through spatial design in entertainment, drama and non-fiction.
This module considers important concepts, strategies and approaches from the fields of marketing and sales, with special reference to how they apply when the “product” being sold is a cultural experience. In this context, cultural experiences may be heritage sites, museums or cultural venues or performances. The module examines the special features of market and competitor analyses, customer behaviour, market segmentation, product, pricing, placement and promotion strategies, sales methods and other related issues for cultural experiences.
This module sharpens students’ knowledge and skills in the practical application of design concepts in the field of cultural tourism. Working individually and in Action Research Teams, students complete a structured series of design exercises for this module, culminating in completion of part of their Dissertation project. Students also attend one field study as part of this module.
This module considers the theory and practice of conserving cultural artefacts. General strategies and approaches to conservation are considered. The strengths and weaknesses of specific techniques and practices for conserving different kinds of artefacts, including paintings, photographs and murals, documents, porcelain and metallic objects, and clothing and rugs are examined.
This module introduces students to important concepts, issues and application techniques for planning, managing and controlling both small and large projects. Popular approaches and methodologies for planning, managing and controlling different kinds of project are considered in detail, specifically, computer software development lifecycles and rapid prototyping; business improvement methodologies such as Ford's 8-D process; and Critical Path Method and PERT used for larger industrial projects. A case approach and action oriented teaching is adopted, and students plan, manage and complete a small improvement project for the University as part of the module. The Microsoft Project computer software package for project management is used.
The theory and practice of rehabilitating historical structures of various kinds are examined in this module. Different philosophies and approaches to restoration are considered and discussed. Approaches to restoring and refitting structures for new uses are also examined. As part of this module, students work in teams to restore parts of a chosen structure.
This module strengthens students’ practical skills in conservation. Working in teams under the leadership of an expert conservator, students participate in selected conservation projects as part of this module.
