CORPFIN 6010OL - Understanding SMSF Trustees

Online - Semester 1 - 2017

The subject aims to develop advisers? knowledge and skills in behavioural finance and how this affects the decision making process of SMSF Trustees. Students will examine the central tenets from the field of behavioural finance, particularly those findings that provide insights into psychological influences in investment decision-making. Investors? decisions are influenced by a range of factors, some of which operate beyond conscious awareness and may result in measurable, systematic biases in investment decisions. As one of three core subjects in this qualification, students will have the opportunity to develop their academic writing and research skills.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code CORPFIN 6010OL
    Course Understanding SMSF Trustees
    Coordinating Unit Adelaide Business School
    Term Semester 1
    Level Postgraduate Coursework
    Location/s Online
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 3 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange N
    Course Description The subject aims to develop advisers? knowledge and skills in behavioural finance and how this affects the decision making process of SMSF Trustees. Students will examine the central tenets from the field of behavioural finance, particularly those findings that provide insights into psychological influences in investment decision-making. Investors? decisions are influenced by a range of factors, some of which operate beyond conscious awareness and may result in measurable, systematic biases in investment decisions.
    As one of three core subjects in this qualification, students will have the opportunity to develop their academic writing and research skills.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Mrs Tania Turner

    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. Critically review relevant contemporay behavioural finance models
    2. Evaluate the application of different behavioural finance models in the adviser-trustee relationship
    3. Research and explain factors resulting in measurable, systemic biases in investment decisions including differences between collective and individual decison making processes
    4. Analyse the impact of behavioural biases on SMSF fund investment strategies
    5. Develop a methodology for mentoring and guiding SMSF trustees
    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)
    All
    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
    All
    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
    All
    Career and leadership readiness
    • technology savvy
    • professional and, where relevant, fully accredited
    • forward thinking and well informed
    • tested and validated by work based experiences
    All
    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
    All
    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
    All
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    Investor behaviour: the psychology of financial planning and investing, 2914
    Authors: HK Baker & V Ricciardi
    Oublisher: John Wiley & Sons
    Recommended Resources
    Supplementary reference materials and learning resources are provided within the course online site
    Online Learning
    This course is delivered pre-dominantly online via the MyUni site.

    Weekly topics and assessment must be accessed and viewed online.
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    This is an online course, students are expected to undertake the weekly topics as per the Activity Planners
    Workload

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

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.
    Students should expect to work through a topic per week by the date provided on the Activity Planner.

    Students are required to complete 1 assignment for this course plus set aside time to study for the exam.

    The University expects full-time students (ie those taking 12 units per semester) to devote a total of 48 hours per week to their studies. This means you are expected to commit approximately 12 hours for a three-unit course of private study outside your regular classes.
    Learning Activities Summary
    Topic 1 - Origins of behavioural finance
    Topic 2 - Traditional and behavioural finance
    Topic 3 - Emotional decision making
    Topic 4 - Personality traits
    Topic 5 - Risk perception and risk tolerance
    Topic 6 - Behavioural portfolio theory
    Topic 7 - Advising the behavioural investor
    Topic 8 - Financial therapy
    Topic 9 - SMSF trustee coaching and observational awareness
  • 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
    Assessment Task Due Weighting Learning Outcome
    Assignment Week 6 40% 1,2,3
    Exam Week 12 60% All
    Total


    Assessment Detail
    Assignment
    This is an individual assignment due in Week 6 and presents 40% of the final grade.
    Students are required to answer five (5) questions
    The overall word limit is 2000 +/- 10% and submitted via Turnitin on the course site

    Examination
    The exam consists of long and short answer questions representing 60% of the final grade.
    Submission
    Assignment must be submitted via Turnitin by the due date

    The assignment needs to be 2000 +/- 10% in word length. A penalty of 5% for every 100 words outside this limit will apply

    Assignments submitted after the due date will need to be emailed to the Program co-ordinator and will be penalised 5% for each day it is overdue
    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
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