ECON 1009NA - International Financial Institutions & Markets I

Ngee Ann Academy - Trimester 2 - 2014

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.

  • General Course Information
    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
    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 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.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Dr Steven Hail

    Course Timetable

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

  • Learning Outcomes
    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)
    Knowledge and understanding of the content and techniques of a chosen discipline at advanced levels that are internationally recognised. 1
    The ability to locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner. 2
    An ability to apply effective, creative and innovative solutions, both independently and cooperatively, to current and future problems. 3,4
    Skills of a high order in interpersonal understanding, teamwork and communication. 4,5
    A commitment to continuous learning and the capacity to maintain intellectual curiosity throughout life. 6
    An awareness of ethical, social and cultural issues within a global context and their importance in the exercise of professional skills and responsibilities. 6
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    Hunt B., Terry C. (2011), Financial Institutions and Markets, 6th Edition, Cengage Learning
    Recommended Resources
    A number of links will be posted on MyUni as additional reading material. In addition, the following texts are all valuable useful supplements to our required text.

    Bodie Z., Merton R., Cleeton D, (2009) Financial Economics, 2nd edition, Pearson International Edition

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

    Valentine et al. (2011), Fundamentals of Financial Markets and Institutions in Australia, Pearson
    Online Learning
    All of the material related to the course, e.g. tutorial questions, lecture slides, practice questions, a practice examination paper and the full details of each assessment task will be available on MyUni.

    To encourage collaborative learning, the course will also make heavy use of discussion boards on the MyUni webpage.

    There will be separate forums for each component of the course and students are strongly encouraged to use these forums for questions. The forums will be monitored regularly and managed by the lecturer-in-charge.

    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.

    It is expected that students will devote the equivalent of at least 144 hours of learning activities per week 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 fo Hunt and Terry refer to our required text.


    Week 1 
    26 June
    Introduction to Finance and Financial Systems
    Reading: Chapter 1 (Hunt and Terry)
    Lecture 1, 10am-12noon
    Tutorials (Tutorial 1) 2-4pm
    Lecture Notes and Tutorial Problems should be downloaded from MyUni prior to class.


    Week 2
    27 June
    Interest Rates and Financial Intermediaries
    Reading: Chapter 3 (Hunt and Terry)
    Lecture 2, 10am-12noon
    Tutorials (Tutorial 2) 2-4pm
    Lecture Notes and Tutorial Problems should be downloaded from MyUni prior to class.


    Week 3
    28 June
    Allocating Resources Over time (Part 1)
    Reading-uploaded resource on Myuni
    Lecture 3, 10am-12noon
    Tutorials (Tutorial 3) 2-4pm
    Lecture Notes and Tutorial Problems should be downloaded from MyUni prior to class


    Week 4
    30 June
    Allocating Resources Over time (Part 2)
    Reading-uploaded resource on Myuni
    Lecture 4, 10am-12noon
    Tutorials (Tutorial 4) 2-4pm
    Lecture Notes and Tutorial Problems should be downloaded from MyUni prior to class.


    Week 5
    1 July
    Household Saving and Investment Decisions
    Reading-Chapter 5 of Bodie, Cleeton and Merton (provided - book now out of print)
    Lecture 5, 10am-12noon
    Tutorials (Tutorial 5) 2-4pm
    Lecture Notes and Tutorial Problems should be downloaded from MyUni prior to class.


    Week 6
    7 August 
    Introduction to Markets and Principles of Market Valuation
    Reading: Chapter 5 (Hunt and Terry) Lecture 6, 10am-12noon
    Tutorials (Tutorial 6) 2-4pm
    Lecture Notes and Tutorial Problems should be downloaded from MyUni prior to class.


    Week 7
    8 August
    The Bond Market
    Reading: Chapter 8 (Hunt and Terry)
    Lecture 7, 10am-12noon
    Tutorials (Tutorial 7) 2-4pm
    Lecture Notes and Tutorial Problems should be downloaded from MyUni prior to class.


    Week 8 
    10 August
    The Share Market
    Reading: Chapter 9 (Hunt and Terry) - some references will also be made to Cha.10.
    Lecture 8, 10am-12noon
    Tutorials (Tutorial 8) 2-4pm
    Lecture Notes and Tutorial Problems should be downloaded from MyUni prior to class.


    Week 9
    11 August
    The Money Market
    Reading: Chapter 7 (Hunt and Terry)
    Lecture 9, 10am-12noon
    Tutorials (Tutorial 9) 2-4pm
    Lecture Notes and Tutorial Problems should be downloaded from MyUni prior to class.


    Week 10
    12 August 
    The Foreign Exchange Market (and differences between the Australian and Singaporean systems)
    Reading: Chapter 11 (Hunt and Terry)
    Lecture 10, 10am-12noon
    Tutorials (Tutorial 10) 2-4pm
    Lecture Notes and Tutorial Problems should be downloaded from MyUni prior to class.

    Specific Course Requirements
    To gain a pass mark in this course, at least 50 per cent must be obtained overall. There are no separate requirements for individual assessments.
  • 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
    Daily tutorial tests: 30%
    Small group assignment (maximum of 4 participants per group): 20%
    Final examination: 50%
    Assessment Related Requirements
    To gain a pass mark in this course, at least 50 per cent must be obtained overall. There are no separate requirements for individual assessments.
    Assessment Detail
    Tutorial Tests 30%:

    Students will be asked to complete a brief mutliple choice test, to solve a short problem or to provide a short written answer to a question in each tutorial across the course. The mark awarded will be based on the best 8 (from 10) of these in-course assessments.

    Due Date: The final 10 minutes of each tutorial. Grades will be provided within 24 hours.

    Group Assignment 20%:

    The format of the group assignment should be a report. A group needs to consist of two to four members. The assignment will relate to a current issue in finance, and your report will demonstrate evidence of active, small group discovery.

    The small group discovery experience which forms part of the overall assessment is a group assignment, which must be completed in groups of 2-4 students, contributing 20% to the maximum overall grade of each participant.
     
    Full details of this assignment will be provided on MyUni on the day of the first lecture. Late submission of the Group Assignment will be penalised with 10 percent per day.

    Due Date: 31st July, midnight.

    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 Group Assignment should be submitted on-line via MyUni by 12 midnight on 31 July.

    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 awaded for the assignment, per day.

    Instructions on submission will be provided on MyUni during the first week of the course.
    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.