Curriculum
Examples of topics that will be covered in the 2011 session include:
China Today and Tomorrow – Participants and instructors engage in a foundations-oriented discussion surrounding contemporary socio-political, economic, and cultural issues surrounding China.
Contracts and Property – Contracts are a complex issue in China. It is critically important to understand the legal environment surrounding contracts and the contingencies that should be considered before drafting such documents. Dealing with property rights is often equally perplexing. Participants gain knowledge regarding the legal and practical effect of China’s 2007 Property Law through the use of pertinent case studies, and gain insight into how to work with contracts in China.
Cross-Cultural Communication – Participants gain important insights into the way communication works in China. The focus here is on engagement with Chinese institutions, officials, and business people.
Negotiating in a Chinese Context – There exist a variety of cultural factors that need to be considered before entering into a negotiating setting in China. The cohort takes part in mock negotiations, providing them with the opportunity to hone their negotiation skills.
Government Relations – This part of the program focuses on strategies surrounding engagement with public institutions in China as well as handling legal and regulatory obligations. The cohort is presented with a series of potential risks that must be considered when operating in China. Participants also learn about the role that guanxi plays and techniques such as ‘institutional mapping’, which will assist them in navigating through red tape.
Environment and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) – Participants are shown how China is currently approaching environmental policy from the policymakers themselves. CSR issues are also covered in depth.
Intellectual Property (IP) – IP risk has been a huge issue for foreign-invested firms ever since investment began pouring into China in the late 1970s. The cohort develops a strong understanding as to the extent that China is fulfilling its WTO/TRIPS obligations and some of the common problems foreign investors face when protecting their IP in the Chinese marketplace.
Organizational Management – Participants develop an understanding of what defines successful management in China as well as the management of short- and long-term objectives. The focus is on both public and private contexts.
Dispute Resolution – Participants are instructed on the nature of common civil disputes in China and the processes that are used to resolve these disputes. Participants establish a firm understanding of Chinese mediation and arbitration practices, as well as the court process.
