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Unit outline_

CLAW2211: Commercial Practice in China

Semester 2, 2021 [Normal day] - Remote

China is currently the second biggest economy in the world and is Australia's most important trading partner. Australian businesses are increasingly engaging with China. This Unit of Study addresses the frequently asked questions of what underpins commercial practice in China and how to do business with China. It explores China's unique business environment, which has resulted from its culture, history and demography, and examines the business regulations, tax system, and the administrative and compliance issues businesses will face when carrying on business with China. The Unit first outlines the Chinese business environment in terms of culture, history, economics, demography, and government administration. It then provides students with an understanding of the legal environment that businesses will face in China. Through a hypothetical case study, different aspects of commercial practice in China such as contract, entity structure, mergers and acquisition, property and intellectual property rights, the tax system, different tax types and associated international issues, and social insurance are analysed.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
Completion of at least 24 credit points of study
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Eva Huang, eva.huang@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Proposal of research paper
Proposal
10% Week 06 300 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
In-semester test (Take-home short release) Type D in-semester exam Mid-semester exam
Written exam
25% Week 07
Due date: 20 Sep 2021 at 09:00
2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Assignment Research paper
Written report
40% Week 12 3500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Presentation group assignment Group presentation
Oral presentation: Weeks 6 to 12.
15% Weekly 15-35 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Participation Class participation
Participation
10% Weekly n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
group assignment = group assignment ?
Type D in-semester exam = Type D in-semester exam ?

Assessment summary

  • Mid-semester exam: The in-class, open book test will include two short answer questions and a short essay. The test will cover topics taught up to and including week 4. It is designed to assess the level of understanding students have in those topics and to provide timely feedback to students on their learning, in order for them to prepare for their research paper.
  • Group presentation: This is a group presentation on a seminar topic. Students will receive an article the previous week and lead a discussion on the paper. Students may not choose to present on a topic they are choosing to write their research paper on.
  • Propoal of research paper: This is the written individual proposal to the final research paper. At this stage, students should have a clear idea of the area of law and business activity that they would like to address.
  • Research paper: Students are required to write an individual research paper in the form of a business case study or business advice related to a topic discussed in the seminars, that is not their group presentation topic.
  • Class participation: Active class participation is continuous in the semester. Full attendance does not equal to active participation in this unit of study.

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 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.

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.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

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 Admin Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  
Week 02 1. An overview of China's business environment; 2. Industry structure in the PRC; 3. Five-year plans in the PRC; 4. Group formations Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  
Week 03 China's Legal System and Government Structure Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  
Week 04 The PRC's new Civil Code and Commercial Rights and Obligations Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  
Week 06 Digital Disruption and International Business Law Issues Lecture (2 hr)  
Group presentation and discussion on Legal Problems in the Digital Economy Tutorial (1 hr)  
Week 07 In-semester Mid-term exam Lecture (2 hr)  
1. In-depth feedback on written proposal; 2. Group presentation and discussion on Legal Problems in the Digital Economy - Contract and enterprises Tutorial (1 hr)  
Week 08 Legal Problems in the Digital Economy Lecture (2 hr)  
Group presentation and discussion on Legal Problems in the Digital Economy - Property and IP issues Tutorial (1 hr)  
Week 09 Legal Problems in the Digital Economy - Property and IP Issues Lecture (2 hr)  
Group presentation and discussion on Legal Problems in the Digital Economy: Financial Services and Fintech Tutorial (1 hr)  
Week 10 Legal Problems in the Digital Economy: Financial Services and Fintech Lecture (2 hr)  
Group presentation and discussion on Legal Problems in the Digital Economy: The Hidden Economy and Taxation Tutorial (1 hr)  
Week 11 Legal Problems in the Digital Economy: The Hidden Economy and Taxation Lecture (2 hr)  
Group presentation and discussion on Legal Problems in the Digital Economy: E-commerce and Social Commerce Tutorial (1 hr)  
Week 12 Legal Problems in the Digital Economy: E-commerce and Social Commerce Lecture (2 hr)  
Group presentation and discussion on Legal Problems in the Digital Economy: Regtech Lecture (1 hr)  
Week 13 Regtech Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)  

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. Students should ensure they attend and participate in all classes.

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.

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. describe how businesses are conducted in China's legal framework; analyse and explain the cultural and historical nuances within this legal business environment
  • LO2. identify and discuss how Chinese and western businesses are operated within their respective legal frameworks. Apply a comparative methodology to critically analyse these two very different mindsets revolving around people's attitudes to the law. Evaluate how legal problems can be solved within a business scenario in China
  • LO3. analyse business scenarios involving legal issues
  • LO4. effectively demonstrate written communication skills and participate in a group presentation to demonstrate verbal communication skills
  • LO5. demonstrate team working spirit when working within groups
  • LO6. appraise the differences in business ethics between the Chinese and western cultures.

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

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

No changes have been made since this unit was last offered.

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.