2007-12-07

POLI0019 Exam

Thanks to all of you who came to the optional lecture this afternoon. If you have any questions at all, please do contact me.

Two students asked a very good question: Which is more important - what the guest speakers said in class or the readings? In tackling the exam questions, I hope that you would make reference to both. Perhaps I should say that the outstanding exam essays will make useful reference to both speakers and readings, as well as any other appropriate authorities. When I was in university, there were many classes in which the readings did not precisely correlate with the lectures, but you were meant to gain insights from both - and be responsible for both.

That said, I do accept that some of the readings were not exactly in-step with what we discussed in class. Still, key readings such as Yash Ghai's articles, Bill Overholt, Prof. Tang's essay, and others I highlighted in the blog are worth looking at again. I do, however, consider the lectures and the ideas and concepts we heard in class from our guests as the meat of the course.

The nature or style of the questions will not be unlike those that have been posted on the blog. As I mentioned earlier, posting a comment on the blog would be excellent practice for the exam. Another great way to prepare might be to sit down and pretend you are writing a letter in reply to somebody who asked you this: "How can Hong Kong secure its position as a competitive global city over the long term?" Consider that question in all its aspects. You might focus on some of the key issues or matters of debate that we have touched upon such as what makes Hong Kong competitive, education, rule of law, culture, political development, the role of business and corporate social responsibility, the role of the media, Hong Kong's role in the international financial system, public health and the spread of infectious diseases such as SARS, and the environment. In particular, you might consider the implications for Hong Kong's global status, given its relationship with the mainland, the limits of autonomy under the Basic Law, and the level of political development of the SAR.

Think big picture but also be prepared to discuss two or three of these issues more deeply - just like you have done on the blog - then I'm sure you will do fine.