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Unit of study_

IBUS2020: Chinese Economy and Business

Semester 2, 2021 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit provides an overview of the economic foundations of China's global business expansion and examines the core facets of China's economic and business system, including China's market transition, the role of government, the rural and urban economy, labour markets, the financial system, the knowledge-based economy, international trade and investment and questions of sustainability. The unit is designed for students interested in gaining a basic understanding of modern China business as well as a wide range of challenges in doing business in/with China in today's global environment.

Unit details and rules

Unit code IBUS2020
Academic unit International Business
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Huan Zhang, huan.zhang@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Huan Zhang, huan.zhang@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Final exam (Take-home short release) Type D final exam Final essay assessment
Essay-type (long answer) questions
40% Formal exam period 2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3
Presentation group assignment Research assignment - presentation
Oral presentation
15% Multiple weeks 12-15 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Participation Participation
Attendance and participation
10% Ongoing Ongoing
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment Mid-semester assignment
Case summary and analysis
20% Week 08
Due date: 05 Oct 2021 at 09:00

Closing date: 19 Oct 2021
2500-3500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3
Assignment group assignment Research assignment - report
Written report
12% Week 13
Due date: 12 Nov 2021 at 11:00

Closing date: 26 Nov 2021
2500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Assignment group assignment Research assignment - peer evaluation
Participation and written task
3% Week 13
Due date: 12 Nov 2021 at 23:00
n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO4
group assignment = group assignment ?
Type D final exam = Type D final exam ?

Assessment summary

  • Mid-semester assignment: Students will choose from the cases provided in Canvas and prepare a written case analysis. The length of the written case analysis excludes references, tables, and figures.
  • Participation: Lecture attendance and participation are required. Students should do their readings, analyse the assigned cases, and be prepared for class discussion. 
  • Research assignment - presentation: Students will form teams of 4-6 members by week 4 at the latest. Each team will work together to present one company, which should demonstrate the practical relevance of the lectures (e.g., foreign multinational enterprises in China or Chinese firms' global expansion). The presentations will take place in weeks 12 and 13. There will be 15 minutes for presentation.
  • Research assignment - report: Using the same group, each team will also prepare a written report for the presented company. The length of the written report excludes references, tables, and figures.
  • Research assignment - peer evaluation: In each group, students will evaluate other team members performance based on the contribution to the group work and participation. 
  • Final essay assessment: The final exam is Type D: online open book without invigilation. The exam contains 4-6 long answer questions that cover lectures, tutorials, readings, research assignment, and mid-semester assignment. 

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school. 

Distinction

75 - 84

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

Credit

65 - 74

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

Pass

50 - 64

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school. 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

Late penalties apply as specified in the Business School and University policies and procedures: https://business.sydney.edu.au/students/policy

Academic integrity

The Current Student website  provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.  

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Introduction and unit overview Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1
Week 02 History 1: From the Opium War to the Socialist era Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 03 History 2: Transition from the planned economy to the market economy Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 04 Framework 1: Legacies and business culture in China Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 05 Framework 2: Analysing China business environment Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 06 China and global business 1: Entering in China Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 07 China and global business 2: Partnering with China Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 08 Public Holiday Break Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  
Week 09 China and global business 3: Localising and globalising in China Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 10 China and global business 4: Chinese domestic enterprises (SOEs and POEs) Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 11 China and global business 5: Chinese firms' global expansion Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 12 Special topic: China and Australia business relationship & group presentations Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 13 Unit review & group presentations Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4

Attendance and class requirements

  • Lecture recordings: All lectures and seminars are recorded and will be available on Canvas for student use. Please note the Business School does not own the system and cannot guarantee that the system will operate or that every class will be recorded.
  • Attendance: Students should ensure they attend and participate in all classes. Students should avoid disruptive behaviours (e.g., habitual late arrivals or early departure). 

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

Unit readings are available on the Canvas. 

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. demonstrate and integrate international business knowledge, concepts, and principles in a range of business contexts
  • LO2. identify, analyse, and solve business challenges reaching conclusions using fundamental concepts, principles, and knowledge from international business
  • LO3. communicate effectively and professionally using a range of communication modes in business contexts
  • LO4. make a positive contribution to a team-based project.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9
LO1         
LO2         
LO3         
LO4         

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

The assessments types and weight are changed. Content in week 12 is updated.

More information can be found on Canvas.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.