Economics

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).

Consumption has come to dominate our lives, is driving economies, yet also endangering the future of our planet. This course asks questions about consumption from multiple perspectives, such as how did consumption assume its prominent place, how do economists rationalize consumption, how do companies use behavioral models to craft marketing strategies, whether consumption is good or bad for society or the individual, or whether consumers need to be protected.

This course provides a broad, up-to-date introduction to the economic analysis of public policy issues. Drawing on microeconomic theory, the course focuses on the development of analytical tools and their application to key policy issues relating to the spending, taxing, and financing activities of Government. Particular emphasis is given to recent developments in public economics, including findings from current research, in areas such as behavioral public economics, new empirical methods, and policy innovations.