Fudan University

Course Description

China has been perceived as a rising giant with remarkable economic growth and social development in the past decades. Along with these achievements, China has also been confronted with a set of challenges during its period of transformation and globalization.

This course critically examines China’s performance from different angles to equip students with a comprehensive understanding of the Chinese economy and society in the past, present and future. The topics covered are accessible to a general audience and yet still provide an insightful analysis for students with a professional background. The speakers will be top scholars in relevant research fields from universities like Fudan University, LSE and UC Davis.

The course is broadly divided into 3 modules:

1) Overview of Chinese Economy and Finance will introduce the Chinese economy and financial systems from a historical and comparative perspective to provide students with a holistic picture about the history, current status and future growth of the Chinese economy, as well as the development of the Chinese financial industry.

2) Challenges and Reforms in Chinese Economy and Business will explore the emerging difficulties behind China’s economic prosperity and how China has been trying to address these problems. Topics covered include the One Belt One Road Initiative, trade war, middle-income trap, MNEs in China & local firms’ survival strategy, and state-owned enterprises reform.

3) Challenges and Reforms in Chinese Society will discuss the major social issues of contemporary China in terms of unbalanced regional development, population dynamics, and IPR protection.

Class-time will be integrated with 3 field trips to 3 different cities (Shanghai, Hangzhou and Yiwu) including company visits and accompanying cultural experiences. Company visits to a state-owned enterprise, a private sector and an international trading market will provide students with opportunities to closely observe how various business organizations grasp market opportunities in China and subsequently grow to be internationally competitive. Other cultural activities aim to help the students have a better appreciation of Chinese culture with local features.

Course Objective

On successful completion of this course, student should be capable to:

- Form a brand-new understanding of China through insightful lectures from multiple perspectives and critical conversations with top scholars and classmates from all over the world.

- Immerge into China’s urban development while experiencing traditional Chinese culture through in-depth field trips and rich activities on and off campus.