ECON 1009 - International Financial Institutions and Markets I

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2020

This course provides an introduction to the institutions, markets and securities that form the basis of modern financial and monetary systems. Australian as well as international economies and their financial systems will be considered with reference to current financial news and current affairs. This course also introduces some of the main concepts and methods used in financial and monetary economics and provides a sound basis for students progressing to the study of monetary economics, financial economics and international finance at higher levels within the University. At the same time, it is a valuable, self contained and up-to-date overview of international financial markets and institutions for non-specialists.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code ECON 1009
    Course International Financial Institutions and Markets I
    Coordinating Unit Economics
    Term Semester 1
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 3 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Quota A quota may apply
    Course Description This course provides an introduction to the institutions, markets and securities that form the basis of modern financial and monetary systems. Australian as well as international economies and their financial systems will be considered with reference to current financial news and current affairs. This course also introduces some of the main concepts and methods used in financial and monetary economics and provides a sound basis for students progressing to the study of monetary economics, financial economics and international finance at higher levels within the University. At the same time, it is a valuable, self contained and up-to-date overview of international financial markets and institutions for non-specialists.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Dr Steven Hail

    Office hours: To be advised 
    Office location: To be advised
    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

    Each student is expected to attend two one hour lectures each week, and a one hour tutorial. A full timetable of the lectures and tutorials can be found on the Course Planner at: http://access.adelaide.edu.au/courses/search.asp

    The lectures will be used to explain the concepts, theories and models relevant to financial institutions and financial markets, whilst the tutorial time will be used to apply the acquired knowledge to practice questions. The tutorial questions will consist of a mix of real world and theoretical, quantitative and analytical, questions which will be posted on MyUni prior to the tutorials.

    Students are expected to study the course materials carefully and to actively engage in class discussions. All work discussed in both the lectures and the tutorials and any submitted material will form the basis for the final examination.
  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes

    On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

    1. Identify and explain the main functions of the principal financial markets and institutions in a typical modern financial system.
    2. Apply balance sheet principles to describe and analyse the business of banking, the financial relationships which exist between different financial institutions, and those between the financial system and the rest of the economy.
    3. Identify the objectives of monetary policy, and to describe both orthodox and unconventional approaches used around the world to monetary policy implementation.
    4. Describe how the foreign exchange market works, identify the main determinants of movements in floating exchange rates, and to relate exchange rate policy to monetary policy.
    5. Identify and describe futures and options contracts, and to explain the main determinants of the value of an options contract.
    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)
    Deep discipline knowledge
    • informed and infused by cutting edge research, scaffolded throughout their program of studies
    • acquired from personal interaction with research active educators, from year 1
    • accredited or validated against national or international standards (for relevant programs)
    1 - 5
    Critical thinking and problem solving
    • steeped in research methods and rigor
    • based on empirical evidence and the scientific approach to knowledge development
    • demonstrated through appropriate and relevant assessment
    1 - 5
    Teamwork and communication skills
    • developed from, with, and via the SGDE
    • honed through assessment and practice throughout the program of studies
    • encouraged and valued in all aspects of learning
    1 - 5
    Career and leadership readiness
    • technology savvy
    • professional and, where relevant, fully accredited
    • forward thinking and well informed
    • tested and validated by work based experiences
    1 - 5
    Intercultural and ethical competency
    • adept at operating in other cultures
    • comfortable with different nationalities and social contexts
    • able to determine and contribute to desirable social outcomes
    • demonstrated by study abroad or with an understanding of indigenous knowledges
    1 - 5
    Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
    • a capacity for self-reflection and a willingness to engage in self-appraisal
    • open to objective and constructive feedback from supervisors and peers
    • able to negotiate difficult social situations, defuse conflict and engage positively in purposeful debate
    1 - 5
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources

    Required Text: Tymoigne, E (2016) The Financial System and the Economy: Principles of Money and Banking


    This text is available for download on  

    https://www.scribd.com/document/322104849/the-financial-system-and-the-economy

    for the whole book


    or http://neweconomicperspectives.org/2016/01/money-banking-part-1.html

    for individual chapters.

    Recommended Resources
    Other resources will be supplied on the Canvas course web-site.

    Online Learning

    All of the material related to the course, e.g. supportive readings, tutorial questions, lecture slides, supplementary materials, mock examinations, and the full details of each assessment task will be available on MyUni.

    To encourage collaborative learning, the course will also make use of discussion groups and a chat function on the MyUni webpage.

    These forums will be monitored regularly and managed by the course co-ordinator.

    The purpose of the forums is to encourage student’s collaborative learning and provide all students with equal access to information related to the course.

    Course Website: www.myuni@adelaide.edu.au

  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes

    The course is based on a mix of lectures, tutorials, on-line resources, and both formative and summative assessments.

    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    The University expects full-time students (i.e. those taking 12 units per semester) to devote a total of 48 hours per week to their studies. Students in this course are expected to attend all lectures throughout the semester plus one tutorial class each week.

    It is expected that students will devote 12 hours learning activities per week for this course if they expect to receive a pass mark.

    Learning Activities Summary

    Classes will be held weekly commencing as per study schedule below. Note that tutorials commence in Week 2.

    Membership of tutorial classes is to be finalised by the end of the third week of semester. Students wishing to swap between tutorial classes after this time are required to present their case to the lecturer-in-charge, but should be aware that such a request may not be approved.

    Tutorials are an important component of your learning in this course. The communication skills developed in tutorials by regularly and actively participating in discussions are considered to be most important by the School and are highly regarded by employers and professional bodies.

    Consultation and Communication

    Check your student email and MyUni as course-related announcements are communicated via email.

    Lecturer’s and tutors’ consultation times and locations are available also on MyUni.

    NOTE the following time scheduled is not completely fixed and some deviations from the schedule might occur. This is ONLY the proposed time schedule. You will be informed of any deviations from this proposed schedule by attending the lectures and checking any relevant information and announcements on MyUni.

    Week Lecture Topic Tutorial Topic
    1 Introduction to Financial Institutions and Markets No Tutorial
    2 Introduction to Central Banking Introduction to Financial Institutions and Markets
    3 Introduction to Monetary Policy and Interest Rates Introduction to Central Banking
    4 Governments and Central Banks Introduction to Monetary Policy and Interest Rates
    5 Commercial Banking and Leverage Governments and Central Banks
    6 Money Creation and Banking Regulation Commercial Banking and Leverage
    Mid Semester Break  
    7 Economic Growth, Inflation and the Financial System Money Creation and Banking Regulation
    8 Financial Crises and Macroeconomics Economic Growth, Inflation and the Financial System
    9 Financial Instruments, Securities and Monetary Systems Financial Crises and Macroeconomics
    10 Equity and Currency Markets Financial Instruments, Securities and Monetary Systems
    11 Futures and Options Markets Equity and Currency Markets
    12 Overview Futures and Options Markets
    Specific Course Requirements
    To gain a pass mark in this course, at least 50 per cent must be obtained overall. In addition, students are required to obtain at least 35 per cent of the marks which are available from the final examination.
  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    Due to the current COVID-19 situation modified arrangements have been made to assessments to facilitate remote learning and teaching. Assessment details provided here reflect recent updates.

    Assessment Task Due date (week) Weighting Learning Outcomes
    Three in-course quizzes 15% 1
    Six short in-course assignments Week 2/4/6/8/10/12 30% 1-5
    End of Course Multiple Choice Exam - 40 questions 20%
    End of Course Short Questions Exam 20%
    End of Course 1,000 word essay (it will be based on recent central bank policy) Week 15 15% 1-5
    Total 100%

    Further details on the end of course assessments will be published during the mid-semester break."
    Please note that there is a Hurdle Requirement on this course, to ensure that those who pass the course have demonstrated competence in meeting the specified Course Learning Outcomes.

    In order to secure a Pass grade overall, it is necessary to achieve a mark of at least 35% in the final examination, as well as a mark of at least 50% overall.

    Should a student's overall marks sum to more than 50%, while they have secured a mark of below 35% in the final examination, they will be awarded a final mark of 49%.

    As an example, a student whose weighted average mark across the coursework and the exam came to 52%, but who only secured a mark of 30% in the final examination, would be awarded an overall score of 49%, as the student would not have met the hurdle requirement.

    This will be discussed at the beginning of the course, in the first lecture.
    Assessment Related Requirements
    • To gain a pass mark in this course, at least 50 per cent must be obtained overall, and a mark of at least 35 per cent must be otanined in the final examination, as specified in the hurdle requirement above.
    • Legible hand-writing and the quality of English expression are considered to be an integral part of the assessment process.
    • Marks will not be awarded for answers that cannot be read.
    • Each of the three quizzes are redeemable in the final examination, but the in-course assignments are not (from 2019), due to University regulations. This will be explained during the first week of the semester.
    Assessment Detail

    Active Tutorial Participation: 5%

    Students will be expected to not only attend tutorials, but to participate actively in tutorials on a weekly basis. Tutors will award a mark out of 5, based on active participation across the course. To gain a mark of 5 out of 5, students will be required to not only attend at least 9 out of the 11 tutorials, but also to participate actively in at least 5 of those tutorials.


    Tutorial Assignments 30% :

    Students will be asked to submit on line bi- weekly assignments, which will be available to download from MyUni on a weekly basis. These are due for completion by Friday at 12 midnight, starting in week 2. There will be a total of 6 tutorial assignments of which the best 5 will be counted for assessment. The questions for the tutorial assignments will relate to material that was covered in the lectures in the previous weeks.

    Due Date: Friday 12 midnight in week 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12.

    No late submissions will be accepted, so you are advised NOT to leave it to Friday afternoon to submit your assignments.



    Three On-Line Quizzes 3 x  5% = 15% :

    The tests will be administered online during weeks 5, 9 and 13. The tests will consist of multiple choice questions. The first test will cover the lecture material from weeks 1-3; the second test will cover the lecture material from weeks 4-7; the final test will cover the lecture material from weeks 8-11.


    Date: Online in weeks 5, 9  and 13 (precise dates to be confirmed)


    Final Examination 50% :

    There will be a two hour final examination for this course which will be held during the examination period. You will be advised of the date, time and venue in due course.

    Please note the hurdle requirement relating to the final examination, which is that a student must secure at least 35 per cent of the available marks on the final examination in order to pass the course overall.

    Further information will be published on MyUni and discussed in the lectures.

    Due Date: available on Access Adelaide during the semester, when the Exam Timetable has been published.

    Submission

    Tutorial assignments must be submitted on line by Friday at 12 midnight in weeks 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12. Late submission of the tutorial assignments will not be accepted, except when authorised by the course co-ordinator.

     

    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
  • Fraud Awareness

    Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.