English

As a core course in the department’s program on East Asian studies, this graduate-level course, conducted fully in English, explores various dimensions of the political, economic, and social developments of the People’s Republic of China since 1979. In addition to familiarizing the students with the empirical evidence and relevant methodology of such developments, this course also introduces the theoretical evolution/debates both in China studies and authoritarianism in comparative politics. An extended goal of this course is to prepare the students for delving into new research topics and conducting independent field research in China in the future. Students have to finish all the required readings and be prepared for heavy class participation before each class meeting. Lectures by the instructors where necessary play a supplementary role only.

This course examines the processes of political and social changes and their impact on economic institutions and processes. Topics include: how to make collective decisions for a group of individuals with heterogeneous needs and preferences; typical failures of different voting rule; designing a voting rule that makes rational decisions and satisfies some minimal democratic requirement; how governments and electoral competition work; why economic competition and electoral competition are so different in nature; the role and influence of interest groups in the political process.

This course addresses the political and cultural dimensions of artificial intelligence and network technologies in a range of global contexts. Through an interdisciplinary approach that incorporates the fields of media and communication studies, critical theory, and the philosophy of technology, the course examines the technical and conceptual elements of machine learning, digital automation, and online communication in order to develop an understanding of their social impacts and historical consequences. Topics include: the structure of neural networks and online protocols; the rise of cybernetics as a political logic and technical form; the history of digital logistics and automation; ethical issues surrounding the widespread installation of these technologies across different sectors of society. 

This course examines the ways in which language is being (re)formulated on the Web, especially in multilingual settings. The course focuses on the study and management of electronic language evidence on the Web. The course requires students to take prerequisites.

This is an interdisciplinary course that explores the principles of communication in Design and Engineering. Students learn how they can draw on visual and verbal resources to clearly articulate the valued knowledge in their disciplines to both specialist and non-specialist audiences. Students study a range of narratives around multimodal artifacts such as posters, renderings, drawings, models and exhibits from these disciplines and become familiar with the ways to engage, inform, critique and persuade different audiences and communicate their designs effectively.

The course provides students with an understanding of organizational change as a multifaceted phenomenon and equips them with skills to adopt a reflective, multi-dimensional approach when managing change in their future careers. In their everyday jobs, managers need to identify when change is needed, manage its implementation or guide others through it. In this course students learn about theories, strategies, skills, and techniques for leading successful change.

A supervised program of study approved by the Head of School.

There is wide consensus that Asia is a major engine of recent global economic growth. Does this mean that Asia is a new economic power, or that the current growth indicates the resurgence of Asia? The answer to this question requires good historical knowledge of Asian economy in a global perspective. This course aims to provide such knowledge. 

The course focuses especially on Southeast Asia from the early time to the mid-twentieth century, discussing the following themes: natural environment; economic foundation of early states; changing demands in the global markets where consumption cultures were constantly changing; production development of particular products; regional and global trade; movement of labor; economic and social impacts of colonization, and struggles for economic decolonization. 

To prepare for this course, it is recommended to enroll in the course offered in the fall semester, "Economic History of Southeast Asia," which focuses more on the developments in the post-WWII period.