CORPFIN 4102 - Advanced Finance (H)

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2022

This course provides an in-depth look at some of the main theoretical and research perspectives that have contributed to the academic literature in finance. Students will develop their ability to critically review issues in financial economics and corporate finance. Financial economics topics include asset pricing models, market efficiency, behavioural finance, trading mechanisms, and volatility. Corporate finance topics include capital structure, signalling models, executive compensation, and takeovers. This is a readings-based course in which students will critically review scholarly research articles each week. It will be the responsibility of students to select additional readings for each session. It is suggested that this should be a shared responsibility with students taking turns to choose an disseminate material among course lecturers and other class members ahead of time, for each class. Students are to come to each session prepared to summarise and comment on what they have read. It is anticipated that a minimum of five to eight hours of preparation time will be required. Class presentations are expected to be comprehensive, requiring not only mastery of the arguments, but also to be supported by visual material. Participation marks will be awarded for the demonstration of effective reading and an understanding of the arguments presented.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code CORPFIN 4102
    Course Advanced Finance (H)
    Coordinating Unit Adelaide Business School
    Term Semester 1
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 36 hours
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange N
    Course Description This course provides an in-depth look at some of the main theoretical and research perspectives that have contributed to the academic literature in finance. Students will develop their ability to critically review issues in financial economics and corporate finance. Financial economics topics include asset pricing models, market efficiency, behavioural finance, trading mechanisms, and volatility. Corporate finance topics include capital structure, signalling models, executive compensation, and takeovers. This is a readings-based course in which students will critically review scholarly research articles each week. It will be the responsibility of students to select additional readings for each session. It is suggested that this should be a shared responsibility with students taking turns to choose an disseminate material among course lecturers and other class members ahead of time, for each class. Students are to come to each session prepared to summarise and comment on what they have read. It is anticipated that a minimum of five to eight hours of preparation time will be required. Class presentations are expected to be comprehensive, requiring not only mastery of the arguments, but also to be supported by visual material. Participation marks will be awarded for the demonstration of effective reading and an understanding of the arguments presented.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Associate Professor Jean Canil

    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.    develop knowledge of some of the major methodologies (paradigms or models) in finance
    2.    be able to explain the strengths and weaknesses of each of the methodologies
    3.    develop skills in applying the methodologies to contemporary finance issues
    4.    be able to lead discussion on contemporary finance issues being debated in the finance literature
    5.    further develop critical and analytical skills in verbal and written communication.
    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)

    Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth

    Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.

    1 - 4

    Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving

    Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.

    2 - 4

    Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills

    Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.

    4 - 5

    Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness

    Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.

    4

    Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency

    Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.

    1,3

    Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence

    Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.

    1 - 5
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    All of the readings in this course will be available through the library. All are journal articles reflecting either seminal or contemporary papers required for discussion and reading.
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    At this advanced level, you bear a high responsibility for your own learning. The co-ordinators in this course do not give lectures but
    rather act as guides to your learning of the material. The course is run as a series of seminars in which you are expected to do the
    necessary reading and preparation of course requirements prior to attending each class session. Although some discussion questions will be provided in advance to help structure your reading and understanding, these questions are just a starting point for the analysis of each topic. Active participation in the seminars will greatly increase your understanding of complex concepts and improve your chances of successfully completing the course. Researching material outside that provided is encouraged.
    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. This means that you are expected to commit approximately 9 hours for a three-unit course of private study outside of your regular classes.Students in this course are expected to attend all class sessions throughout the semester. Honours and MBR students are also expected to be actively involved in the research life of the School and are expected to attend the various research seminars given throughout the semester.
    Learning Activities Summary
    The first six weeks will be cover advanced topics in Corporate Finance while the second will cover advanced topics in Asset Pricing. Given students can have different finance backgound, the course is structured around the student's backgound and knowledge. Topics are chosen to advance student's knowledge. More information will be provided in the first seminar.
  • 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
    Presentation and hand-in: Students are to critically assess and present the prescribed paper along with related papers as
    determined by the student. Presentations will be for approximately 50 minutes followed by general discussion. Each student presenting will need to hand up their slides so it is important that the presentation is comprehensive. Marks will be awarded for understanding of the papers and ability to answer questions.

    Participation: Each week, each non-presenting student is to prepare a question and answer for the presenter, this will be handed in at the end of the session. Participation marks will be awarded based on in-class discussion and on the quality of the question and answer.
    Assessment Task Weighting Learning Outcome
    Presentation (combination of 3) 50%
    Participation and Q&A hand-in 20%
    Take-home exam 30%
    Total 100%
    Assessment Related Requirements
    All assessment is compulsory and no resubmissions are possible.
    Assessment Detail
    Details with respect to the final exam and other assessment will be provided in the first seminar.
    Submission
    All work is to be submitted in class. Feedback is provided on the day of presentation.
    Course Grading

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

    M11 (Honours Mark Scheme)
    GradeGrade reflects following criteria for allocation of gradeReported on Official Transcript
    Fail A mark between 1-49 F
    Third Class A mark between 50-59 3
    Second Class Div B A mark between 60-69 2B
    Second Class Div A A mark between 70-79 2A
    First Class A mark between 80-100 1
    Result Pending An interim result RP
    Continuing Continuing CN

    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.