Chinese University of Hong Kong

This course focuses on the techniques of painting in an expressive manner regarding the literati tradition of writing the idea. It includes techniques and forms of expression such as ink, light coloring, and heavy coloring. Contents of this course varies with instructors and students, and students may take the course repeatedly as long as the course content changes.

This course is an introduction to investments and asset pricing. It provides an overview of financial markets and instruments including stocks, bonds, futures, options, and other derivatives. A risk-return framework is used to think about optimal asset allocation and equilibrium pricing of securities. Topics covered include both classic topics such as no-arbitrage principle, Capital Asset Pricing Model, two-fund separation theorem, Black-Scholes formula, and recent behavior models that explore the limits of arbitrage. Course prerequisite: basic knowledge of microeconomics, linear algebra, differential calculus, accounting, and elementary statistics.

A business model is a logical and internally consistent representation of the design and operations of a business, capturing the essence of how it will be focused and demonstrating how an interrelated set of decision variables will be addressed to create, deliver and capture value. This course explores the range and diversity of existing perspectives about business models and the tools of analysis essential to their understanding. The course presents how to analyze and evaluate existing business models and pursues a logical and internally consistent approach to the choice and/or development of an appropriate business model for a new enterprise. The application of the course frameworks, tools and techniques are illustrated with case studies and evaluated in a semester project involving the development of an innovative business model for an entrepreneurial venture.

This course follows ENGE3260 (Creative Writing) but is not dependent on it. It provides an introduction to the craft of writing short stories. Students will read and analyze a range of short stories of diverse styles and forms from the beginnings of the genre to the present day. Particular attention is given to contemporary stories written in Hong Kong. Students are encouraged to use these texts as models for their own creative responses. The course aims both to deepen and broaden students' understanding of the short story genre as well as to offer them the opportunity of gaining practical expertise in creative writing.

This course examines men's diverse experiences as boys/men and public discourses and practices about masculinity. It focuses on how the gendered social order influences men's actions and the way men perceive themselves, other men, women, and social situations. Special attention is paid to the exploration of the relationships between multiple dimensions of social relations and inequalities including gender, ethnicity, class, and sexual orientation. The course addresses issues including but not limited to: male socialization, boyhood culture, male body images, male friendship, male sexuality and fertility, men's experiences as fathers, male aggression and violence, men's commitments to work, men's social participation, and media representations of boys and men in contemporary culture. It also explores female masculinities and queer masculinities and to what extent they post challenges to hegemonic masculinity. The course introduces the latest developments and their global networks, and evaluates the prospects for social change in how men may think, feel, and act otherwise.

This course presents an integrated introduction to the climate system, stressing the dynamics of the atmosphere and its physical and chemical interactions with the hydrosphere, biosphere and geosphere. The course applies basic scientific and mathematical principles to explain the history, current state and future projection of weather and climate, natural hazards (e.g., typhoons, floods), and global climate change in the context of natural variability and anthropogenic influence. Topics include Earth's energy balance, climate feedback, convection and clouds, general circulation of the atmosphere and ocean, biogeochemistry and global carbon cycle, roles of vegetation and ecosystems, and historical and future climate change.

This course provides a comprehensive introduction to global politics, focusing in particular on its origins and historical evolution, key concepts, major theoretical frameworks, main actors and institutions, the global architecture of power, and its dynamic nature in the process of globalization. It offers the basic knowledge and analytical tools for making sense of current issues in global politics. It adopts a multi-disciplinary approach that integrates theoretical issues with regional case studies.

This course introduces the theory and policy of international trade and examines its relation to both international and domestic policies. Major topics include classical trade theory, strategic trade theory, and various models (Ricardian, Heckscher, specific factors, etc.); the theory of comparative advantage; international trade and factor prices; income distribution; economic development; trade policy and economic welfare (developing countries, advanced countries); and such commercial policies as tariffs and quotas. The course also discusses recent developments in trade liberalization, labor mobility, and international investment. Students should have some knowledge of differential calculus. Text: P.R. Krugman and M. Obstfeld, INTERNATIONAL ECONOMICS. Assessment: midterm exam (50%) and a final exam (50%).

An elementary course designed for students with no knowledge of the Chinese language. It covers the use of basic vocabulary and grammar points. Vocabulary is introduced based on everyday conversations and daily usage with a focus on appropriateness in application. Simplified Chinese characters are used in lessons. Traditional Chinese version of textbook provided if needed. Assessment: student performance (25%), quizzes (50%), final exam (25%).