I have read all of the book reviews. Most did a good job. A few were on the short and conclusionary side, with not much analysis and/or tie in to how what you read impacted you personally or relates to your own business experience and goals (see my comments to your reviews if this was an issue). Because of the number of reviews for the trip this year that I will need to read (over 90), don’t expect detailed comments and feedback from my end on your blogs. One goal of these book reviews is for you to start learn, on your own, about China from a variety of angles, and to keep you thinking about China through some good books before we arrive in the PRC.
If/when I was having problems commenting on your blog about your book reviews, I emailed those students accordingly.
Overall I was happy with the quality of the central blog discussion threads this quarter. Some good insights and learning took place to help keep the drum beat of China going during the quarter, and to build, little by little, a foundation for the trip each day. It is important that we continue this. I try to post items that are both interesting, relevant to the real business world, and/or that will help prepare you to better connect the dots once we arrive in China.
Having said that, some students did the bare minimum, in my view — they submitted 3 comments and/or also did them the last day they were due. There is no rule that says you can’t do more than 3 comments and/or submit well before the deadline (to me the latter signals one is going through the motions). There is no shortage, I hope, of different (and interesting) topics to read about on the central blog and comment on. Again, at the end of the day much of the value of this course will directly correlate to what you put into it, both here and there. I also reiterate that I expect each of you to log onto the central blog at least every two (2) days to check in, read over each new posts, comment on the ones that interest you, receive and read important updates, etc.
For the posts you submit (not the comments to a post), students who submitted those thus far did a good job. But don’t feel like what you submit has to be so formal and/or simply reiterate the main points of a business article. You can make it colloquial; just keep it well written. Make/keep it interesting and come to life for others to jump in and comment on. It can even be controversial, although note that “big picture” issues and controversies relating to China (e.g., Tiannanmen, human rights, Taiwan, etc.) can be difficult to offer practical solutions to and that is one reason I generally stay away from some of those topics in my own posts (also a number of people out there in blog land already write at length on such issues so it can be difficult to add something new the debate or discussion). As you also note from my own posts, referring to and citing/crediting another good blog post is okay and can help get the ball rolling in terms of discussion.
Please email me if you have separate questions or concerns. Happy New Year and enjoy the rest of your break! - Prof. Carr