HE3033_HE3603 Syllabus

Academic Year 2025/26 Semester 1

Course Coordinator A/Prof Wu Guiying Laura
Course Code HE3033 or HE3603
Course Title The Chinese Economy
Pre-requisites HE2001, HE2002
No of AUs 3
Contact Hours 39 hours (2-hrs lecture and 1-hr tutorial per week)
Proposal Date 5 August 2024

Course Aims
This course aims to understand the sources of China’s economic growth, the constraints and challenges
facing China’s economy, and China’s economic impact to the rest of world, using principle of economics
while considering the effect from domestic political economy and international relationship.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILO)

By the end of this course, you should be able to:
1. Command important facts regarding Chinese economy
2. Familiarize unique institutions and arrangements organizing China’s economy
3. Understand the key sources of China’s stella economic growth
4. Identify the key constraints and challenges facing China’s economy
5. Assess China’s economic impact to the rest of world in a critical way
6. Develop teamwork experiences and enhance presentation skills

Course Content
The main topics to be covered include: (1) understanding China’s economic growth; (2) the three
growth engines: industrialization, globalization, and urbanization; (3) population and human capital;
(4) domestic and international capital market and financial system; (5) housing market and debt
burden; and (6) China and rest of the world.

Assessment (includes both continuous and summative assessment)

Component ILO Related Programme LO Weighting Team/ Assessment

Tested or Graduate Attributes Individual Rubrics

1. Class 1-6 Character, 10% individual Appendix 1

Participation Competence
2. Weekly 1-6 Cognitive Agility, 15% team Appendix 2
assessment Character, Competence
Group
assignment
3. Weekly 1-6 Cognitive Agility, 15% individual Appendix 2
assessment Character, Competence
Individual
presentation
4. Final Exam 1-5 Cognitive Agility, 60% individual Answer Key
Character, Competence
Total 100%

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Formative feedback
During Lecture:
1. Spontaneous questions are raised during lectures to stimulate active learning and concentration.
Feedback will be given immediately after one of you are randomly asked to answer the question.
2. Usually, one MCQ is designed at the end of each section of lecture. After each of you have a trial,
answers and explanations will be provided on site for you to self-evaluate your learning outcome.

During weekly assessment:

1. After each group presents your answers to a question, students in different groups are encouraged
to raise questions and comments as peer-feedback.
2. The instructor will then provide comprehensive feedback on the presentation, by pointing out the
rationale underlying the questions, the missing parts in your answers, the mistakes you might make, as
well as the merits of your presentation. The instructor will also offer suggestions on how to improve
your academic presentation skills and how to deliver your ideas effectively.

Anytime:
1. You may stop me after lecture/tutorial for quick questions and instantaneous feedback
2. You may email me whenever you need for detailed questions and long feedback
3. You may visit me with appointment for deep/many questions and thorough feedback

Learning and Teaching approach

Approach How does this approach support you in achieving the learning
outcomes?

Dedicated I believe traditional classroom lecturing should be the predominant

lecturing teaching method and the most effective learning method for this course.
To me dedicated lecturing means many dimensions and strategies, such
as, making course material well-organized, building the content in a
coherent and logical sequence, present important concepts with high
clarity, explain difficult content using alternative approaches, use various
stimulating and incentive mechanisms, be 100% prepared before lecturing
and be 100% approachable after lecturing.

To you dedicated lecturing means thoroughly read all the lecture notes
and textbook chapters, either before or after the lectures. Attend all the
lectures; closely follow the logics presented by the instructor; actively
participate in Q&As; and strictly obey the classroom conducts. This will
help you to command facts, concepts, processes, procedures and
principles stated in the learning outcomes. This will promote your higher-
order thinking skills in the cognitive domain. This will also promote your
interest, motivation and aptitudes in the affective domain.

Team-based I take team-based presentation as the main form of weekly assessment.

weekly After each lecture, three questions will be provided for discussion in the
assessment following week’s tutorial. Students will be divided into three groups.
tutorial Students should do all the three questions for practice. Students in group
N always present question N, where N=1, 2, and 3. Each group will have 8
minutes for presentation and 2 minutes for Q&A with the audience. I will
then provide a 2-minute feedback and clarify any remaining issues.

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 Group presentation helps you to develop a valuable set of skills: analytical
skills, abstraction, logical deduction, critical thinking and general
communication skills; and an important team-work experience. It also
encourages high engagement in the course and encourages learning
through collaboration. It also allows spontaneous discussion from
classmates and timely feedback and help from the instructor.

Reading and References

Naughton, Barry, 2018, The Chinese Economy: Adaptation and Growth, MIT Press.

Arthur R. Kroeber, 2020, China's Economy: What Everyone Needs to Know, Oxford University Press.

Gregory C. Chow, 2007, China's Economic Transformation, 2nd Edition, Blackwell Publishing.

From time to time, I will also upload supplementary reading materials, such as related academic
papers, sources of useful dataset, news from media and opinions from renowned economists that are
closed related to our course to NTULearn.

Course Policies and Student Responsibilities

(1) General
You are expected to complete all assigned readings before lecture, finish all scheduled assignments
with your groupmates before tutorial, and attend all lectures and tutorials punctually. You are
expected to take responsibility to follow up with course notes, assignments and course related
announcements for sessions you have missed. You are expected to participate in all discussions.

(2) Absenteeism
Absence from class without a valid reason will affect your participation and overall course grade. Valid
reasons include falling sick supported by a medical certificate and participation in NTU’s approved
activities supported by an excuse letter from the relevant bodies.

If you miss a lecture/tutorial, you must inform course instructor via email prior to the start of the class.

(3) General Rules in Class

Here are some ground rules for us to follow concerning privacy, confidentiality, and respect in the
classroom:
• This class is only for currently enrolled students (i.e., students taking this course this semester).
Please be on time for our meetings.
• Please do not record and/or share course materials in any form—audio, video, visual
(screenshots), digital, or in print—at any time without permission. This includes all course
materials, including, but not limited to, assignments, slides, e-access to course-related materials.
• Posting and sharing any course materials (including for monetary gains) without consent violates
the privacy of all class participants.

Academic Integrity
Good academic work depends on honesty and ethical behaviour. The quality of your work as a student
relies on adhering to the principles of academic integrity and to the NTU Honour Code, a set of values
shared by the whole university community. Truth, Trust and Justice are at the core of NTU’s shared
values.

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As a student, it is important that you recognize your responsibilities in understanding and applying the
principles of academic integrity in all the work you do at NTU. Not knowing what is involved in
maintaining academic integrity does not excuse academic dishonesty. You need to actively equip
yourself with strategies to avoid all forms of academic dishonesty, including plagiarism, academic
fraud, collusion and cheating. If you are uncertain of the definitions of any of these terms, you should
go to the academic integrity website for more information.

Course Instructors
Instructor Office Location Phone Email
A/Prof Wu Guiying, Laura SHHK-04-77 65921553 guiying.wu@ntu.edu.sg

Planned Weekly Schedule

Week Topic ILO Readings/ Activities
Week 1 Where is China’s Economy Headed? 1-2, 6 Naughton, Ch 1;
Kroeber, Ch 1-3

Week 2 Understanding China’s growth 3, 6 Chow, Ch 5;

Zhu, 2012

Week 3 First growth engine: Industrialization 1-3, 6 Naughton, Ch 13, 15;

Kroeber, Ch 5, 7

Week 4 Second growth engine: Globalization 1-3, 6 Naughton, Ch 16;

Kroeber, Ch 5

Week 5 Third growth engine: Urbanization 1-3, 6 Naughton, Ch 6;

Kroeber, Ch 6

Week 6 Population 1-2, 4, 6 Naughton, Ch 8;

Kroeber, Ch 11;
Chow, Ch 11
Week 7 Human capital 1-2, 4, 6 Naughton, Ch 9;
Chow, Ch 12
Week 8 Domestic capital market and 1-2, 4, 6 Naughton, Ch 19;
financial System Kroeber, Ch 9;
Chow, Ch 13, 14
Week 9 International capital market and 1-2, 4, 6 Naughton, Ch 17;
financial system Kroeber, Ch 9;
Chow, Ch 17, 18
Week 10 Housing market and debt burden 1-2, 4, 6 Naughton, Ch 20;
Kroeber, Ch 6, 8;
Chow, Ch 17, 18
Week 11 Income inequality 1-2, 4, 6 Naughton, Ch 10;
Kroeber, Ch 13

Week 12 Domestic Political Economy and 1-2, 4, 5, 6 Naughton, Ch 16, 17;

International Relationship Kroeber, Ch 15;
Chow, Ch 22
Week 13 Revision and Q&A 1-5

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Appendix 1: Assessment Criteria for Class Participation (10%)

Exemplary (reflect considerable achievement of the LOs), mark range 75-100 — attend all the
lectures and tutorials with good preparation; initiate in Q&A sessions during lectures and
tutorials; exchange ideas with other students and the instructor effectively; volunteer to serve as
a class leader or group leader.

Proficient (reflect moderate achievement of the LOs), mark range 60-74 — attend all the lectures
and tutorials; actively participate the Q&A sessions during lectures and tutorials; exchange ideas
with other students and the instructor; volunteer to serve as a group leader.

Developing (reflect some achievement of the LOs), mark range 50-59 — attend most of the
lectures and tutorials; occasionally participate the Q&A sessions during lectures and tutorials;
comment on other students’ opinions.

Unsatisfactory (reflect little or no achievement of the LOs), mark range 30-49 — attend more
than half of the lectures and tutorials; seldom participate the Q&A sessions during lectures and
tutorials; limited interaction with other students and the instructor.

Appendix 2: Assessment Criteria for Weekly Assessment (30%)

Exemplary (reflect considerable achievement of the LOs), mark range 75-100 — Description of
the question is highly accurate. Answers to the question are correct, complete, critical and
creative. Analysis of problems is logical, comprehensive and inspirational; reflects superior
understanding of the topic. Visuals are outstanding; well-structured, focused and effective;
exceptionally well-prepared and articulated. All the team members made significant
contributions to the project and supported one another’s learning.

Proficient (reflect moderate achievement of the LOs), mark range 60-74 — Description of the
question is mostly accurate. Answers to the question are correct and complete. Analysis of
problems is logical and comprehensive; reflects sound understanding of the topic. Visuals are
very good; reasonable structure and focus; well-prepared and articulated. Most of the team
members made contributions to the project and supported one another’s learning.

Developing (reflect some achievement of the LOs), mark range 50-59 — Description of the
question is adequate but lacks insights. Answers to the question are mostly correct and
complete. Analysis of problems is adequate; reflects adequate understanding of the topic.
Visuals are adequate; some capacity and focus; some evidence of preparation and satisfactory
articulation. Only a few of the team members made contributions to the project and supported
one another’s learning.

Unsatisfactory (reflect little or no achievement of the LOs), mark range 30-49 — Description of
the question is limited or inaccurate. Answers to the question are incorrect or incomplete.
Analysis of problems is lacking; reflects some understanding of the topic. Visuals are inadequate;
limited capacity and focus; marginal; poor timing; unsatisfactory articulation. Team members did
not make equal and meaningful contributions to the project, nor did they support one another’s
learning.