A new course at Iowa State gives students the opportunity to learn about two of the fastest-growing countries in the world, China and India.

Economics 387, which is offered starting this year, is a jointly taught class that offers students a unique perspective on those two countries.

“The course is team-taught by faculty members who grew up and got their bachelor’s degrees in these countries,” said Hongli Feng, professor in economics and one of two instructors for this course. “For many topics, students appreciate that both instructors can extensively draw on their personal experiences and make the lectures concrete and real.”

Economics 387 will meet the international perspectives requirement for all majors.

“At a more personal level, over time, more and more ISU students will find themselves living next to, working with and for first or second-generation immigrants from these countries,” Feng said. “ISU students want to know more about their Asian peers.”

The course goes in depth into the economies of China and India, two of the fastest growing and developing economies in the world. Both China and India are expected to be major players in the global economic and cultural scene in the century ahead.

“Many experts believe China will overtake the [United States] and become the largest economy in the world within the next 50 years,” said Joydeep Bhattacharya, co-instructor of Economics 387. “India is the world’s largest democracy and is fast on the heels of these giants.”

Feng explained that this class will offer a new opportunity to study these countries.

“Students at [Iowa State] currently have few opportunities to study the economies of these countries, understand what is making these nations tick, and appreciate the similarities and differences between the competing models of economic development these countries offer,” Feng said. “Such knowledge is becoming increasingly marketable to employers across the [United States].”

The course will have in-depth videos demonstrating economic numbers, as well as the intangible social and political background. Also featured will be several guest speakers from local business groups that have extensive experience with the two countries.

The online section of this course is also unique in its own right.

“We have had students taking the course, who live far, far away, even out of the country,” Bhattacharya said. “We currently have one student enrolled who is located in China working on an internship for an American company.”

Economics 387 is currently the only course at Iowa State that focuses on the economies of China and India in-depth, and is available to all majors.

“We accept a broad range of students,” Feng said. “We’ve had students from engineering, global resource systems, business, sociology and many other majors on campus.”

Feng feels that this course will prove invaluable to any student who decides to enroll, regardless of major or career aspirations.

“Every day, some U.S. company or university or governmental body is exploring joint business ventures with these countries,” Feng said. “A course such as this provides the sort of background knowledge on these economies that today’s employers and business leaders are seeking.”