Module EAST2501: FOUNDATION OF THE CONTEMPORARY CHINESE ECONOMY

Department: EAST ASIAN STUDIES

EAST2501: FOUNDATION OF THE CONTEMPORARY CHINESE ECONOMY

Prerequisites

• None.

Corequisites

• None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None.

Aims

• To introduce students to the working of the Chinese economy and Chinese business behaviour. No previous knowledge of Economics or Management is required.Together with other modules offered by the Department for students at Level 2, the module will provide students with a deeper understanding of Chinese society.

Content

• The module provides a general introduction to the process of economic development in contemporary China with an emphasis on the economic reforms of the late 1970s.
• Students will analyse the historical links and institutional background to the modern Chinese economy as well as the evolution of business practices in China.
• The basic topics will include the nature of economic transition in China, the growth of market forces and private enterprise, and implications of China's rise as a global economic power for the world economy.
• The origin of the current economic structure and system is explored, including the Maoist development strategy of the 1950s-70s and problems with the incremental reforms.
• Detailed analysis is made of the reforms to agricultural policy, the state-owned industrial sector, the financial system, and of the attraction of foreign capital and of China's integration into the world economy.
• The module explores the current business environment in China and characteristics of Chinese business practice.
• It also applies the theory and practice of international business to key aspects of Chinese business from the perspective of Sino-EU economic relations.

Learning Outcomes

• To become familiar with the physical, historical and institutional settings of the Chinese economy.
• To develop awareness of the potential of, and the constraints on, China's economic development.
• To be able to explain the process of economic reform in China including its broad progress and major problems.
• To understand current Chinese business organisation, the general business decision-making process and how to access Chinese markets.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• To introduce students to the historical background of China's economic reform and give a comprehensive account of various theories underlying the Chinese reform strategy. Also, it will cover case studies involving Chinese business and foreign investment.
• Assessment will be comprised of two parts.The essay writing component will require students to be familiar with Chinese data sources, institutional background and literature on the Chinese economy.It will also train students in critical thinking and deepen their analytical skills as applied to the Chinese economy.
• The final written exam will take the form of questions-and-answers, which will require students to demonstrate their awareness and understanding of Chinese business and the economy as introduced in the module.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Seminar preparation, presentation and participation.

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University