HUM300.2 The Greater China: Past, Present, and Future (Signature Seminar; Spring)

HUM300.2 The Greater China: Past, Present, and Future (Signature Seminar; Spring)

This Signature Seminar is required for undergraduate Hong Kong Center students. Napoleon described China as a sleeping giant and recommended that it be left sleeping: “For when it wakes, it will shake the world.” The giant is now very much awake and the world is feeling its impact and influence in almost every sphere, from the arts to the economy with demands on world resources and relentless growth in financial resources.

The full seminar course will start from Hong Kong to Xian, Beijing on China Mainland, then Tainan and Taipei of Taiwan for two-week intensive onsite learning, then continuous learning during the Hong Kong semester including field study and lectures on family and gender, environment issues and governance, culture and heritage. Rather than attempting to provide neat explanations, we allow you to experience China firsthand. We will see the key physical elements of the China’s past, such as the tomb of the first emperor in Xian, the Great Wall and the Temple of Heaven in Beijing, and the Dutch fort and Japanese influence in Taiwan as well as Taipei Palace Museum for the imperial collections moved from Beijing. We will experience how Chinese culture operates today, visiting factories, offices, markets, restaurants, shops, cultural centers and the places where ordinary people live. We will hear people give us their views, including distinguished academics, foreign correspondents and leading business people. We will practice tai chi and tea culture and will learn about the mysteries of feng shui.

From the soaring skyscrapers that stud the city skylines to the quiet corners where ancient calm can be found we will see for ourselves present day in the Greater China. We will also look into the future. We will see the massive investments that are being made in roads, we will fly from modern airports on some of the newest and smartest aircraft around. Above all, this program will allow you to make up your own mind, through personal experience, about the past, present and future of The Greater China. May also be registered as IRP 300.2.

HST490 Independent Study/Guided Research in History (Fall, Spring)

Independent Study during Module C allows students to conduct in-depth guided research on a subject related to Hong Kong, China, or Asia. Students should have background in the subject area based on prior study and often focus on specific interests developed during Modules A and/or B. During this five-week period, students are supervised by a faculty member in Hong Kong who teaches in a discipline related to the research subject. Faculty guide the research process, assign readings, provide resources and grade the final paper. Students are able to take advantage of excellent on-site resources to conduct both library and primary research (through interviews, surveys, etc.). Students should attend all lectures and meetings in order to complete the research and paper.

HST444 Culture, Business and Political Economics in East Asia (Fall, Spring)

Examines the historical and contemporary forces that shape the cultural, social and economic institutions in East Asia and how each of these institutions affect one another. The contrast between the region’s ancient culture and its innovative entrepreneurship and updated technology is explored in lectures and special briefings. Experts from business, government, and universities address some of the critical questions that surround Hong Kong’s return to Chinese control. Cross-listed with INB/IRP/PSC 444.

HST400.1 The Challenges and Opportunities of Southeast Asia (Signature Seminar; Fall)

This Signature Seminar is required for Hong Kong Center students. It will give students a chance to experience first-hand remarkable changes that are re-shaping societies and giving the Southeast Asia region a key place in world affairs. It starts from Hong Kong to Kuala Lumpur and Malacca of Malaysia, Singapore, and another Asian location for two weeks of intensive onsite learning, then continuous learning during the Hong Kong semester with field study and  lectures in Hong Kong on family and gender, environmental issues and governance as well as culture and heritage. Together with other courses in humanities, business or political science which students take during the Hong Kong semester, students will gain a complete and comprehensive understanding of the region. May also be registered as IRP 300.1.

FLL141 Beginning Cantonese Conversation (Fall, Spring)

This ‘Survival Cantonese’ course will prepare you for real-life situations (like ordering food and shopping) that you will encounter daily in Hong Kong. Through practice of both formal and colloquial speech, this course aims to help you communicate effectively with native Cantonese speakers and to learn about the culture and day-to-day life of Hong Kong.

FIN355 Money and Banking (Fall, Spring – MAY NOT BE OFFERED FALL 2020)

Not open to Syracuse finance majors, except as a business elective. This course aims to introduce the students to these general principles: organization and control of the banking system, commercial bank functions and operations, organization and operation of the Federal Reserve System, and monetary theory and policy. The complexity of financial marketplaces, institutions, and instruments in US and around the world will be introduced. In addition to visits to Hong Kong Stock Exchange and Hong Kong Monetary Authority, students can learn more about the dynamics of the financial market through virtual investment on HK stocks and property markets.

ECN363 Economic Development of China (Fall, Spring)

Examines the economic development of China since 1949, including impact of such policies as the Great Leap Forward, the Cultural Revolution, Deng’s Open Door commitment, and current strategies.

Prereq: ECN 101 or ECN 203 or equivalent course in microeconomics

CHI302 Chinese VI (Spring)

Sixth in the sequence of continuing proficiency-based courses that refine and expand previously acquired linguistic skills in culturally authentic contexts. Activities are conducted in Chinese. Prereq: CHI 301 or five semesters of college-level Mandarin.

CHI301 Chinese V (Fall)

Fifth in the sequence of continuing proficiency-based courses that refine and expand previously acquired linguistic skills in culturally authentic contexts. Activities are conducted in Chinese. Students cannot enroll in CHI 301 after successfully completing a course higher than CHI 301. Prereq: CHI 202 or four semesters of college-level Mandarin.