Economics

This course introduces the Anglo-Saxon economic model as it exists in the United Kingdom, United States, Ireland, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, and to a lesser extent in countries such as India, Singapore, and Hong Kong tied historically to the United Kingdom. It adopts a social sciences inquiry-led approach based on varying theoretical approaches to assessing how and why Anglo-Saxon countries have developed their economies in the way they have done. Case studies are primarily from the United Kingdom and United States, and the reading and sources will largely be based on these two countries. In the case of the United Kingdom, extensive reference shall be made to the United Kingdom's relationship with the European Union (EU) and the role of both in nurturing and promoting ideas associated with the Anglo-Saxon economic model; such as, in the case of the EU, the United Kingdom-led promotion of the Single Market (1986+). The course explores how the Single Market may have laid some of the foundations for the eventual electoral fall-out of Brexit in 2016. The first part of the course explores what the Anglo-Saxon economic model is and the second part assesses why this economic model has emerged and is branded and stereotyped in this way. The final part examines the effects of the Anglo-Saxon model on macroeconomic stability, equality and equality of opportunity, infrastructure, public sector investment, and the environment.

Utilizing behavioral economics, this course aims to deepen the understanding of economic policies and international comparisons of economies. It focuses on social preferences such as altruistic and inequality aversion preferences; international differences in norms, culture, religion, and worldview, and their effects on economic behavior and outcome. 

Course enrollees are also encouraged to register for the course, International Economy and Behavioral Economics A, at the same time.

This course covers the principles of taxation; history of the tax system; contemporary tax system; generation, development, and evolution of taxation; and laws of taxation as a discipline closely related to the behavior of the state. The basic content of the course is divided into three major parts. The first part introduces the basic concepts and principles of taxation and the relationship between taxation and economy; the second part introduces the evolution process of ancient Chinese taxation system; the third part briefly introduces the setting of contemporary taxation system and its reform trend.

This course introduces the principles of microeconomic analysis including choice and equilibrium, competitive markets, and market failures. 

The course explores the ethical basis of economics, with special reference to applied microeconomics and environmental policy analysis. Key skills developed include critical thinking (in understanding the theory), active listening (in lectures and tutorial classes), written materials (through the essays), information skills (in preparing essays), and oral/visual presentation (in tutorial classes).