Page 176 - SYU Prospectus

Shue Yan University Prospectus 2018-19

ECON 336 Urban and Real Estate Economics
1 Term; 3 Credits
This course is designed for students to develop a framework for examining the spatial
distribution of economic activity in urban areas and property market. Major topics include
location decision and patterns in urban areas, land-use patterns, the property markets, and
housing policies, as well as related issues of location. Moreover, an application in the real
world is also emphasized in this course. Both theoretical knowledge and implementation are
included in this course for analysing the policy implications and development strategy touching
the lives of everyone in Hong Kong, Chinese cities and our neighbour cities in Asia.

ECON 344 Public Finance
1 Term; 3 Credits
The course aims to provide students with a solid grounding in public economics with
emphasis on the taxing and spending activities of governments and their influence on
resource allocation and income distribution. Foci are also placed upon how the theory can be
applied to a broad range of current public finance issues. Major topics covered are as follows:
tools of public finance, externalities, public goods, theory of political economy, income
distribution and welfare spending programmes, cost-benefit analysis, a framework for taxation
analysis, taxation and individual behaviours, fiscal federalism and multi-government public
finance, and public finance in Hong Kong.

ECON 346 Issues in Development Economics
1 Term; 3 Credits
This course reviews economic and social issues in economic development. Topics
covers issues such as entrepreneurship and institutions, path dependence and modular
production system, global financial crisis and its impacts on the world economy, income
inequality, environmental issues and sustainable development. The impact of globalization on
developing and emerging economies is critically analysed.

ECON 350 Research Methodology
1 Term; 3 Credits
This course provides a comprehensive introduction to quantitative and qualitative
research methods, designs and methodologies. By examining the strengths and weaknesses
of different types of research methods, this course develops students’ understanding of the
processes and the lines of reasoning in implementing an appropriate research approach, and
their ability to critically assess research proposals and research articles. This course benefits
all students who wish to go on to further study, write a university paper/final year project or
work for a think tank/academic research unit. It also lays the solid ground for those who wish
to obtain relevant professional qualifications in the future, such as chartered surveyors under
the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and certified statisticians of the Hong Kong
Statistical Society.

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