Course Syllabus
INT394 China Study Trip: The World's Factory
Course Description:
Provides you with an opportunity to study and learn about dynamics of a rising
economic system. You will observe Chinese economy, society, business,
culture and people and will understand opportunities,
challenges, and problems that exist in China today, especially China as new member of
World Trade Organization (WTO). You will have opportunities to communicate and exchange
ideas with Chinese scholars, business students and business professionals. Furthermore, an opportunity
will be created for you to visit Chinese organizations and join ventures.
Of course, you will also visit historical and cultural sites such as The
Great Wall and Forbidden City. You will spend time in Beijing and Shanghai
and acquaint yourself with
Chinese culture and life.
Credit Hours:
3 credits that can be used to replace BUS391-Directed
Research in Business for undergraduate students or MGT591-Applied Research for MBA students.
Objectives of Course:
- Gain international and global perspectives of business events and organizational behaviors;
- To discern the patterns and processes of economy and business in China, and understand their impacts on Chinese economy and American economy;
- To understand business opportunities, challenges, and problems in China and their implications to American investors;
- To appreciate the cultural diversity of the world.
The Host Universities:
- Peking University, Beijing
- Tongji University, Shanghai
- Jinan Jianzu University, Jinan
Methodology:
- Lectures: A set of lectures and seminars on the Chinese
political, legal and economic system, business environment, culture and history will be given at the host universities. In these lectures, business challenges and problems facing Chinese
businesses and foreign companies are discussed and you are encouraged to express ideas about the discussed issues
and offer possible solutions for the problems.
- Visits: Several field trips will be arranged. These field trips include visits to local
companies, foreign business join ventures, financial institutions, local markets, and historical and cultural sites.
- Assignments: There is one group assignment and one individual
assignment. The group assignment is writing a news report about the trip. The
quality of the report should be good enough to be published on the local
newspaper. The report may include the
following (but not limited) topics:
- your experience in China;
- your observation on globalization, Chinese economy or business, American
businesses in China, and other interesting issues;
-
the affect of the
trip on your knowledge and attitude on international business
-
the
potential affect of the trip on the business curriculum
-
your suggestions about the future program.
Each student should also write an in-depth research
paper for a certain topic. Students are encouraged to choose a major-related or job-related topic. The
paper should be 8-12 pages, double-spacing, and business format.
Grading Policy:
| Attendance & Participation |
30 |
| Group Report |
30
|
| Individual Study |
40
|
| Total |
100
|
Grade:
A: 85-100
B: 70-84
C: 60-69
E: <60 |
Accommodation:
You will stay in the international student residence in Peking University
and a hotel in Shanghai.
Estimated Program Fee:
The program fee will be approximately $2600, depending on airline fares and exchange rate fluctuations. The program fee covers
airfare, local transportation, lodging and meals, visa fees, and lecture and activity
fee. The $2600 program fee does not include: tuition, passport fees, and additional personal expenses, which are the responsibility of the
participants.
Scholarship is available to the participants. Please
visit the IGS website (www.umflint.edu/igs_program/faid.php)
for the scholarship information.
Passports are required and applications may be obtained at your nearest
U.S. Post Office. In addition, visa is required for travel to China.
Information on visa applications will be provided by the program
coordinators.
A non-refundable deposit of $100 by January 5, 2007 must accompany every
application. Final payment for program fee ($2500) is due by February 20,
2007. A fee of $50 will be added to each late payment.
Interaction with Local Population:
A set
of lectures will be given at the host Chinese universities by Chinese
professors. The lectures cover many different topics. It is the best opportunity
for you to interact with Chinese scholars and learn something from their
perspectives. You also have many opportunities to communicate with Chinese
students and local people. You are encouraged to open your mind to exchange your
ideas with the local people and collect information for your research paper. You
will have several field trips to visit international and local businesses, and
historic and cultural sites. Local guides will accompany you on some trip.
Important Rules:
- Participate all group activities
- Observe the local rules, regulations, and traditions.
- Respect the local people
- Never leave campus individually!!!
Suggested Reading List:
- Business China: A Practical Guide to Understanding Chinese Business Culture, Peggy Kenna & Sondra
Lacy, Passport Books, 1994.
- Business Guide to Modern China,
J. P. Alston & Y. He, Michigan State University Press, 1997,
- Chapter 1: Modern China and Its People
- Chapter 2: Fundamental Conditions in Today’s China
- Chapter 4: The Work Setting
- Chapter 5: Negotiations
- China’s Banking systems and
Monetary Policy”, P. Frantzen, in China’s Economic Evolution, Piet
Frantzen (ed.), VUB Press, 1993, pp.119-138.
- China’s Economic Dilemmas in the 1990s: The Problems of Reforms, Modernization, and Interdependence,
Joint Economic Committee (ed.), Congress of the United States, M. E. Sharpe, 1992,
- China’s Mixed Economic System: Properties and Consequences, R. F. Dernberger, pp.89-101.
- China’s Environment: Issues and Economic Implications”, B. Boxer, pp.290-307.
- U.S-China Commercial Relations: A Decade after Normalization, N. Chen, pp.895-911.
- China’s Telecommunications and American Strategic Interests, K. Zita, pp.482-494.
- China’s High Technology: Programs, Problems, and Prospects, R. P. Suttmeier, pp.546-564.
- The Business Climate in China: Half Empty or Half Full? M. Weil, pp.770-784.
- Chinese Law Relating to Foreign Investment and Trade: The Decade of Reform in Retrospect, J. V. Feinerman, pp.828-840.
- Between Politics and Markets: Firms, Competition, and Institutional Change in Post-Mao China, Y. Lin,
Cambridge University Press, 2001,
- China’s Rise, Russia’s Fall: Politics, Economics and Planning in the Transition from Stalinism, Peter
Nolan, St. Martin’s Press, 1995,
Web Sites for Current Developments in China: