Location: This is a study abroad course in Beijing, Chengdu, Dongguan/Shenzhen, and Hong Kong
Attributes: ALSS - Arts and Letters Social Science, ECON - Economics Elective, IEEL - International Economics Elective
Prerequisites: Required: Econ 10010/20010 Principles of Microeconomics
Course description: This is a course in economic demography which examines the impact of trade and economic growth, as well as cultural and political systems on the demographics of China. It focuses on the demographic changes arising from one-child policy. The course discusses the associated fertility behaviors, the imbalance of the sex ratio and how these changes affect the marriage market, as well as the dynamics of aging population. The course addresses why some individuals decide to migrate through a cost-benefit analysis and distinction is made between international and rural to urban migration. The Hukou system impacts migration patterns in China and the course examines the resulting shocks in the labor markets in manufacturing regions, the changes in demand for education in Hong Kong, as well as the impacts on the housing markets and pollution.
Goals: Upon successful completion of this course students will evaluate the role of history, institutions, government, and public policy on the demographics of China. Specifically, students will be able to demonstrate how the one-child policy exacerbates the issues of ageing population and results in spillover shocks in other markets, such as the marriage market. Moreover, they will understand how cultural norms affect fertility decisions which result in imbalanced sex-ratios. Students will be able to apply cost benefit analysis to the decision to migrate and they will understand the importance of the Hukou system in China. They will be able to apply the supply and demand model and evaluate the impact of migration on labor markets in order to identify the corresponding changes in wages, as well as on other markets, such as markets for education, housing and pollution. Students will further be able to demonstrate the implications of migration for individuals, firms, and the global economy. Specifically, they will be able to analyze the flows of international trade and the role of policy restrictions. Furthermore, given the unique nature of a study abroad course and experiential learning, students will have an enhanced cultural understanding and will be able to draw better connections between the material and the real world.