Assignments and Grades

Assignments for the class – and how they will be assessed.

Article Review

Many contemporary issues in the Chinese economy have deep historical roots. This assignment asks you to provide a historian’s perspective on current writings about China.

  1. Select an article: Choose one article on the Chinese economy, business, or society published between September 15 and October 31, 2025, from one of the following sources (all available through Dartmouth Library):
  2. Write a review (600-1000 words, excluding footnotes): Your review should include the following:
    • A link to the article
    • An explanation of why you selected the article
    • An explanation of the historical context of the issue discussed in the article and why this context is important
    • A critical review of the article. You may focus on any aspect of the writing, such as its thesis, methodology, or presentation of evidence.

The assignment is due by noon, November 9, 2025.

Case Study

In this mini research project, you have the opportunity to explore the history of a China-related business or development. You have complete freedom in choosing your case study: expand on a case from our syllabus or develop a new one. The case must relate to the Greater China region, encompassing the People’s Republic of China (Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau) and the Republic of China (Taiwan). Your subject need not be a Chinese entity or based in the region. Consider, for example, an American business operating in China, a Saudi investment in Hong Kong, or a Taiwanese firm competing with mainland Chinese companies in Africa.

Case studies both historical and contemporary are welcome. Assessment will prioritize the quality of your research, analysis, and presentation over the novelty of the topic. This is not business journalism; focus on the how and why questions, rather than facts. Your case study should offer insight into a broader problem in Chinese business and society.

Instead of a traditional paper, you will present your research as a mini-documentary script (no video production required). For inspiration, consider these examples:

Your final submission should include:

  • A title
  • A short blurb (maximum 200 words)
  • A full script: 1500 to 2000 words, excluding notes and bibliography
  • Up to five exhibits: charts, images, maps, or video clips

The assignment is due by noon, November 25, 2025.

Mid-term and final exams

In the mid-term and final exams, you will apply historical knowledge and reasoning skills that you have developed in the class to a new business case. The in-class exams will be held on the following dates:

Assessment Date
Mid-term 2025-10-16 (Thursday, X-hour)
Final exam 2025-11-12 (Wednesday)

The mid-term exam will cover the historical period from S01 to S12, while the final exam will cover the remaining course material.

You may not consult notes or digital devices during the exam. You will have 60 minutes (1 hour) to read a set of documents describing a business situation and respond to questions in a 3- to 5-slide presentation, to be completed on paper.

The exams will assess your ability to:

  • Contextualize: Briefly explain the historical events or developments relevant to understanding the case, whether directly mentioned in the provided materials or not.
  • Explain: Provide insights into how or why a development or process unfolds, or the reasons behind a particular relationship.
  • Analyze: Identify the central issues of the case by carefully examining the provided facts and data.
  • Argue: Propose a course of action for the protagonist and justify your recommendation with historically sound knowledge.

The best way to prepare for the exams is to review our class readings and slides. While the exam cases will be new, the historical contexts and issues should be familiar from class readings, lectures, and discussions. Here are some general tips:

  • You might get more information than you might need, and the excerpts might contain conflicting information, as it mirrors real-world situations where actors make decisions amidst uncertainty. Do not give in temptation to read all the available material.
  • Manage your time (e.g. allocate enough time for thinking and writing).
  • Produce clear and concise output. You may use various heading levels and bullet points to organize your slides, but do write in full sentences wherever you present conclusions or qualitative analyses.
  • Enjoy the challenge! It will be just like cases we’ve discussed in class.

Final Grade

Your final grade will be calculated based on the following weighting and scale:

Item Weight
Attendance and participation 10%
Article review 20%
Case study 30%
Mid-term exam 20%
Final exam 20%
Total 100%
Table 1: Grade weighting
Grade Range Grade Range
A 93 - 100% C 73 - 76.9%
A- 90 - 92.9% C- 70 - 72.9%
B+ 87 - 89.9% D+ 67 - 69.9%
B 83 - 86.9% D 63 - 66.9%
B- 80 - 82.9% D- 60 - 62.9%
C+ 77 - 79.9% F < 60%
Table 2: Grading scale
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