Chinese Economy 2019 – 2020

Lecturer & Contact:

Bao, Xiaojia, Assistant Professor, Ph.D. in Sustainable Development, Columbia University, USA, Email：xiaojiabao@xmu.edu.cn, Office：D228, Eco Building, Xiamen University.

Prerequisites and co-requisites:

Finish the course-Principle of Economics.

Aims of the course:

The course provides a general introduction to the background and current structure of Chinese economy. It aims to help students understanding sources of Chinese economic growth and analyzing economic problems in China using empirical and theoretical approaches.  We will first cover the basic geographic and demographic backgrounds, and then a brief introduction on economic growth history in China. Following it, we will mainly explore the behavior and decision-making of main players in the economy, including firms, governments and households. Throughout the way, we will integrate industrialization, decentralization and urbanization together. In the end, the course will cover specific fields including trade and financial system in China.

Learning outcomes and competences: Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to explain and work with:

  1. After the training of the class, students should get a understanding of the Chinese economy.
  2. Students should be able to use empirical or theoretical skills to analyze questions related to Chinese economy.

Course content:

  1. Introduction to Chinese Economy, Economic History, Economic Growth and Chinese Data
  2. Firms
  3. Urbanization and Globalization
  4. Governments and Institutions
  5. Households
  6. Other perspectives: Environment, Financial System

 Assessment methods:

  • Class attendance 5%
  • Homework 15%
  • Mid-term terst 30%
  • Presentation 20%
  • Term paper30%

Literature:

  • Barry Naughton, The Chinese Economy: Transition and Growth
  • Loren Brandt and Thomas Rawski. 2008. China’s Great Economic Transformation, Cambridge University Press