ECON 1009NA - International Financial Institutions & Markets I

Ngee Ann Academy - Trimester 2 - 2016

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 affairs. This course also introduces some of the main theories and quantitative concepts and methods used in finance and provides a sound basis for students progressing to the study of 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.

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Course Details

Course Code	ECON 1009NA
Course	International Financial Institutions & Markets I
Coordinating Unit	Economics
Term	Trimester 2
Level	Undergraduate
Location/s	Ngee Ann Academy
Units	3
Contact	Intensive
Available for Study Abroad and Exchange	N

Course Staff

Course Coordinator: Dr Steven Hail

Course Timetable

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

Course Learning Outcomes

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

1	To understand important financial economic principles
2	To apply financial economic principles to solving problems
3	To develop analytical skills
4	To develop both independent learning and group work skills
5	To develop verbal and non-verbal communication skills
6	To understand the broader social consequences of financial economic decisions making

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)	1,2,6
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	3,4,5
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	4, 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, 2, 3, 6
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	4, 5, 6
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	3, 4, 5, 6

Learning Resources

Required Resources

Students are NOT required to purchase a specific text book for this course. Readings will be provided across the course on Myuni.

Students WILL require continuous access to a basic scientific calculator. Students are NOT permitted to use either graphical or financial calculators in the final examination.

A basic and low cost scientific calculator, with a power function (^ or Yx button), is all students require, and all they will be permitted to use in this course.

Recommended Resources

The following texts are of value to students requiring a background study text.

Hunt, B, & Terry, C.(2015), Financial Institutions and Markets, 7th Edition, Cengage Learning Australia

Viney C. (2011), Financial Market Essentials, McGraw Hill Australia

Valentine, Ford, O'Hara and Sundmacher (2011), Fundamentals of Financial Markets and Institutions in Australia, Pearson Australia

Bodie Z., Merton R., & Cleeton D. (2009), Financial Economics, 2nd edition, Pearson International Edition (now out of print)

Previous editions of Valentine, Hunt and Terry, or of Viney, are also of use.

Online Learning

All of the material related to the course, e.g. supportive readings, tutorial questions, lecture slides, practice questions, practice examination papers 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 boards on the MyUni webpage.

There will be separate forums for each component of the course and students are encouraged to use these forums for questions. The 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 the problem solving approach to learning.

Throughout the seminars and tutorials there will be a continuing emphasis on:

Phase 1: Concrete Situation

Identification of a real world case study or realistic scenario.

Phase 2: Definition

Understanding the issues and defining the question of interest.

Phase 3: Abstract conceptualisation

Explain how the issues can be addressed using the tools of financial economics. Proposition of economic tools that can be applied to help answer the question.

Phase 4: Implementation

With the help of appropriate theory, choose an 'optimal' solution.

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 in a 12 week semester to devote a total of at least 12 hours per week over a 12 week period to their studies. Students in this course are expected to attend all lectures and assigned tutorials scheduled throughout the semester.

Consequently, on a comparable course such as this one it is expected that students will devote the equivalent of at least 144 hours of learning activities over the period of this course if they expect to receive a pass mark.

Learning Activities Summary

Lectures, tutorials and independent and small group learning are all essential components of the learning activities on this course. Your active participation in each element of the course is required, if you are to be successful.

Tutorials are particularly - 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.

There will be an emphasis on group discussions, and active learning in small groups throughout the tutorials. In addition, participants will be encouraged to contribute to on-line discussions.

The schedule of the lectures, tutorials and readings is as follows. References for Hunt and Terry refer to our required text.

Days 1-5 are from the 1st Intensive

Day 1 Financial Systems and The Flow of Funds

Day 2 Financial Calculations and Financial Markets

Day 3 Household Saving and Investment Decisions

Day 4 Debt Securities

Day 5 Shares and the Stock Market

BREAK (During which your assignment must be prepared and submitted)

Days 6-10 are from the 2nd Intensive

Day 6 Risk and Return

Day 7 Deposit Taking Institutions

Day 8 Monetary Policy

Day 9 The Foreign Exchange Market

Day 10 (i) Financial Derivatives and (ii) Financial Crisis

Specific Course Requirements

To gain a pass mark in this course, at least 50 per cent must be obtained overall. There is also a separate hurdle requirement that students must obtain at least 35 per cent of the marks available in the final examination, if they are to pass overall.

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

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

Assessment Summary

On-line test (after the first intensive):	10%
In-class test (end of the second intensive):	20%
Assignment (completed between the intensives):	20%
Final examination*:	50%

Assessment Related Requirements

To gain a pass mark in this course, at least 50 per cent must be obtained overall, and in addition there is a hurdle requirement that you must also obtain at least 35 per cent of the marks available in the final examination.

Assessment Detail

Online Test 10%:

Due Date: A date will be provided in the first intensive. It will be between the two intensives

Class Room Test 20%:

Due Date: This will take place during the last day of the second intensive.

Assignment 20%:

Full details of this assignment will be provided on MyUni on the first day of the first intensive.

Due Date: To be published on Myuni at the beginning of the course.

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.

A mock exam will be published on MyUni.

Submission

The Assignment should be submitted on-line via MyUni by the date provided on the first day of the course.

Late submission will be penalised by the loss of 2% of the 20% available per day - in other words, by the loss of 10% of the maximum mark which can be awarded for the assignment, per day.

Instructions on submission will be provided on MyUni.

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
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
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.

Authorised by:	Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic)
Maintained by:	Course Outlines Administrator