Politicization of the liberal studies in Hong Kong

Abstract

This study aims at identifying the relation between politicization and Liberal Studies by collecting the opinions from teachers and students. Through understanding the definition of politicization, the curriculum of Liberal Studies as well as the teaching and learning of this subject, a proper analysis of concerning the impacts of studying Liberal Studies to student’s political awareness and participations can be reached.

In the research, three teachers and twenty eight students were invited to participate into the individual interviews and questionnaire survey for collecting their views towards the politicization in Liberal Studies. By collecting their background information and opinions towards learning, teaching as well as the uses of teaching materials in the lessons, a full and diversified investigation is able to be incorporated in the study.

This study points out that there are many factors which are able to affect an individual’s goals and values of the politics and the school’s curriculum such as Liberal Studies is just one of them. Despite it can enhance student’s social and political awareness, there are no any motivation in this subject to encourage students to join into any political movements in society. Thus, it is concluded that whether the politicization happens or not in Liberal Studies actually depends on the focuses in the definition of politicization.