UNSW FINS3650 Course Outline
UNSW FINS3650 Course Outline
UNSW FINS3650 Course Outline
Please consult Part B for key information on ASB policies (including those on plagiarism and special consideration), student responsibilities and student support services.
Table of Contents
0 PART A: COURSE-SPECIFIC INFORMATION 1 2 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 3 STAFF CONTACT DETAILS COURSE DETAILS Teaching Times and Locations Units of Credit Summary of Course Course Aims and Relationship to Other Courses Student Learning Outcomes ASSESSMENT 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 3 3 4 4 5 5 5 1 1 2 3 3 3 3 4 4 4 6
3.1 Formal Requirements 3.2 Assessment Details 3.3 Assessment Format 4 5 6 1 2 3 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 4 5 COURSE RESOURCES COURSE EVALUATION AND DEVELOPMENT COURSE SCHEDULE PROGRAM LEARNING GOALS AND OUTCOMES ACADEMIC HONESTY AND PLAGIARISM STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES AND CONDUCT Workload Attendance General Conduct and Behaviour Occupational Health and Safety Keeping Informed SPECIAL CONSIDERATION AND SUPPLEMENTARY EXAMINATIONS STUDENT RESOURCES AND SUPPORT
2 COURSE DETAILS
2.1 Teaching Times and Locations
Day and Time: Tuesdays 9:00-12:00 Location: CLB 6
2.2
Units of Credit
The course is worth 6 units of credit. There is no parallel teaching in this course.
2.3
Summary of Course
The course focuses on providing students with an understanding of the operating environments of international banking institutions and how to manage them to create shareholder value on a sustainable basis. Banks dont have a business if they dont take risks. However global events in recent years strongly demonstrate the perils of excessive risk-taking. Therefore, proactively managing different types of risks to generate superior risk-adjusted returns is a theme running right through the course. We will be referring extensively to Basel Capital Accords, which provide the regulatory framework for internationally active banks. We will also examine the role of international banks in financing international trade and investment and managing cross border risks.
2.4
The major aim of this course is to equip you with the background on and current knowledge of international banking. This course constitutes part of the International Finance concentration, and complements Bank Financial ManagementFINS3630 by providing an international perspective on banking.
2.5
The Course Learning Outcomes are what you should be able to DO by the end of this course if you participate fully in learning activities and successfully complete the assessment items. The Learning Outcomes in this course also help you to achieve some of the overall Program Learning Goals and Outcomes for all undergraduate students in the ASB. Program Learning Goals are what we want you to BE or HAVE by the time you successfully complete your degree (e.g. be an effective team player). You demonstrate this by achieving specific Program Learning Outcomes - what you are able to DO by the end of your degree (e.g. participate collaboratively and responsibly in teams). The following table shows how your Course Learning Outcomes relate to the overall Program Learning Goals and Outcomes, and indicates where these are assessed (they may also be developed in tutorials and other activities): Program Learning Goals and Outcomes This course helps you to achieve the following learning goals for all ASB undergraduate students: 1 Knowledge Course Learning Outcomes Course Assessment Item This learning outcome will be assessed in the following items:
Explain the basic workings of an international bank. Research current issues in international banking. Analyse the pressures and constraints under which international banks operate. Analyse how risk, capital and returns are related in an international bank. Prepare written work which is well structured, analytically sound and professionally presented. Communicate ideas in a succinct and clear manner.
Class participation Group assignment Mid-session exam Final exam Class participation Group assignment Mid-session exam Final exam Class participation Group assignment Part of class participation, but not separately assessed Group assignment Class participation Group assignment Mid-session exam Final exam
3a
3b
4 5a.
Collaborate effectively to analyse a critical issue in international banking. Identify and assess ethical and governance issues in international banking.
Program Learning Goals and Outcomes 5b. Social and cultural awareness
Course Assessment Item Class participation Group assignment Mid-session exam Final exam
ASB Undergraduate Program Learning Goals and Outcomes 1. Knowledge: Our graduates will have in-depth disciplinary knowledge applicable in local and global contexts. You should be able to select and apply disciplinary knowledge to business situations in a local and global environment. 2. Critical thinking and problem solving: Our graduates will be critical thinkers and effective problem solvers. You should be able to identify and research issues in business situations, analyse the issues, and propose appropriate and well-justified solutions. 3. Communication: Our graduates will be effective professional communicators. You should be able to: a. Prepare written documents that are clear and concise, using appropriate style and presentation for the intended audience, purpose and context, and b. Prepare and deliver oral presentations that are clear, focused, well-structured, and delivered in a professional manner. 4. Teamwork: Our graduates will be effective team participants. You should be able to participate collaboratively and responsibly in teams, and reflect on your own teamwork, and on the teams processes and ability to achieve outcomes. 5. Ethical, social and environmental responsibility: Our graduates will have a sound awareness of the ethical, social, cultural and environmental implications of business practice. You should be able to: a. Identify and assess ethical, environmental and/or sustainability considerations in business decision-making and practice, and b. Identify social and cultural implications of business situations. Please see section 1 Program Learning Goals and Outcomes in Part B for more details.
3 ASSESSMENT
3.1 Formal Requirements
In order to pass this course, you must: achieve a composite mark of at least 50; and make a satisfactory attempt at all assessment tasks (see below).
3.2
Assessment Details
Weighting 15% 30% 20% 35% 100% Length See 3.3 below 2,500 words 90 minutes 120 minutes Due Date Ongoing 27 May 2014 15 April, 2014 University Exam Period
Assessment Task Class participation Group assignment Mid-session exam Final exam Total
3.3 Assessment Format Class participation (15 marks): The assessment has two components: (a) Five (5 marks) will be awarded to students who attempt two surprise quizzes in the class. These quizzes will be administered in the class without prior announcement. Therefore, it is important that you attend all classes. These quizzes will be marked based on the effort put in by the student and not the accuracy of answers. (b) Participation in discussion board activities (10 marks): These marks will be awarded based on participation in the activities established on the Moodle. Both frequency and quality of individual contributions will be considered in assessing participation. Examples of class participation include weekly posting of your summaries/understanding of key concepts and their applications from previous lectures and accepting any challenges laid down in the lecture theatre. These summaries are expected to be brief (say 150-250 words). Group assignment (30 marks): Students will be asked to form groups of up to 5 members. Each group will select a topic in international banking and undertake research on the conceptual issues and their practical implications. They will present their research and findings in the form of a report. One member of each group will post on the Moodle the names of group members and the topic the group has selected on or before week 4 class. This is an important part of learning as well as assessment. Significant effort is expected from the students. The group is encouraged to speak to the lecturer in the class about the appropriateness of their topic. A hard copy of the assignment should be submitted to the lecturer in the class on 27 May 2014. A soft copy should be also submitted on Turnitin via Moodle by this date. Since the assignment is due in the last class of the course, late submissions will be accepted only in rare circumstances and only if there are valid reasons for special consideration (please see Part B of this unit outline for information about special consideration). Further guidelines will be provided on the Moodle for preparation of the assignment and on marking the assignment.
Quality Assurance The ASB is actively monitoring student learning and quality of the student experience in all its programs. A random selection of completed assessment tasks may be used for quality assurance, such as to determine the extent to which program learning goals are being achieved. The information is required for accreditation purposes, and aggregated findings will be used to inform changes aimed at improving the quality of ASB programs. All material used for such processes will be treated as confidential and will not be related to course grades. Mid-session exam (20%): The mid-session exam will include topics covered in weeks 1 to 4. It will contain short answer and long answer questions. Further details of the exam will be provided on the Moodle. Final exam (35%): The final exam will include topics covered in weeks 5 to 12. It will contain short answer and long answer questions. Further details of the exam will be provided on the Moodle.
4 COURSE RESOURCES
The website for this course is on UNSW Moodle at: https://moodle.telt.unsw.edu.au/login/index.php There is no textbook for this course. You will be provided readings and links to references on the Moodle for each topic.
6 COURSE SCHEDULE
Lectures start in Week 1 and finish in Week 12.
Topic
Course overview Introduction to international banking Country risk management in international banking Risk and regulation
LECTURE SCHEDULE
Week 4 25 March Week 5 1 Apr Week 6 8 April Week 7 15 April Week 8 29 April Week 9 6 May Week 10 13 May Week 11 20 May Week 12 27 May Capital management Credit risk management Managing operational risk Market risk and liquidity Mid-session exam
The format of the course is three hours of lecture and discussions. There are no separate tutorial classes.
PART B: KEY POLICIES, STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES AND SUPPORT 1 PROGRAM LEARNING GOALS AND OUTCOMES
The Australian School of Business Program Learning Goals reflect what we want all students to BE or HAVE by the time they successfully complete their degree, regardless of their individual majors or specialisations. For example, we want all our graduates to HAVE a high level of business knowledge, and a sound awareness of ethical, social, cultural and environmental implications of business. As well, we want all our graduates to BE effective problem-solvers, communicators and team participants. These are our overall learning goals for you. You can demonstrate your achievement of these goals by the specific outcomes you achieve by the end of your degree (e.g. be able to analyse and research business problems and propose well-justified solutions). Each course contributes to your development of two or more program learning goals/outcomes by providing opportunities for you to practise these skills and to be assessed and receive feedback. Program Learning Goals for undergraduate and postgraduate students cover the same key areas (application of business knowledge, critical thinking, communication and teamwork, ethical, social and environmental responsibility), which are key goals for all ASB students and essential for success in a globalised world. However, the specific outcomes reflect different expectations for these levels of study. We strongly advise you to choose a range of courses which assist your development of these skills, e.g., courses assessing written and oral communication skills, and to keep a record of your achievements against the Program Learning Goals as part of your portfolio.
ASB Undergraduate Program Learning Goals and Outcomes
1. Knowledge: Our graduates will have in-depth disciplinary knowledge applicable in local and global contexts. You should be able to select and apply disciplinary knowledge to business situations in a local and global environment. 2. Critical thinking and problem solving: Our graduates will be critical thinkers and effective problem solvers. You should be able to identify and research issues in business situations, analyse the issues, and propose appropriate and well-justified solutions. 3. Communication: Our graduates will be effective professional communicators. You should be able to: c. Prepare written documents that are clear and concise, using appropriate style and presentation for the intended audience, purpose and context, and d. Prepare and deliver oral presentations that are clear, focused, well-structured, and delivered in a professional manner. 4. Teamwork: Our graduates will be effective team participants. You should be able to participate collaboratively and responsibly in teams, and reflect on your own teamwork, and on the teams processes and ability to achieve outcomes. 5. Ethical, social and environmental responsibility: Our graduates will have a sound awareness of
the ethical, social, cultural and environmental implications of business practice. You will be able to: a. Identify and assess ethical, environmental and/or sustainability considerations in business decision-making and practice, and b. Identify social and cultural implications of business situations.
3.1
Workload
It is expected that you will spend at least nine to ten hours per week studying this course. This time should be made up of reading, research, working on exercises and problems, online activities and attending classes. In periods where you need to complete assignments or prepare for examinations, the workload may be greater. Over-commitment has been a cause of failure for many students. You should take the required workload into account when planning how to balance study with employment and other activities. We strongly encourage you to connect with your Moodle course websites in the first week of semester. Local and international research indicates that students who engage early and often with their course website are more likely to pass their course.
3.2
Attendance
Your regular and punctual attendance at lectures and seminars is expected in this course. University regulations indicate that if students attend less than 80% of scheduled classes they may be refused final assessment. Reference for 80% guideline is at: https://my.unsw.edu.au/student/atoz/AttendanceAbsence.html
3.3
You are expected to conduct yourself with consideration and respect for the needs of your fellow students and teaching staff. Conduct which unduly disrupts or interferes with a class, such as ringing or talking on mobile phones, is not acceptable and students may be asked to leave the class. More information on student conduct is available at: https://my.unsw.edu.au/student/atoz/BehaviourOfStudents.html
3.4
UNSW Policy requires each person to work safely and responsibly, in order to avoid personal injury and to protect the safety of others. For more information, see http://www.ohs.unsw.edu.au/.
3.5
Keeping Informed
You should take note of all announcements made in lectures, tutorials or on the course web site. From time to time, the University will send important announcements to your university e-mail address without providing you with a paper copy. You will be deemed to have received this information. It is also your responsibility to keep the University informed of all changes to your contact details.
ASB Policy on requests for Special Consideration for Final Exams in Undergraduate Courses: The policy of the School of Banking and Finance is that the lecturer-in-charge will need to be satisfied on each of the following before supporting a request for special consideration: 1. Does the medical certificate contain all relevant information? For a medical certificate to be accepted, the degree of illness, and impact on the student, must be stated by the medical practitioner (severe, moderate, mild). A certificate without this will not be valid. 2. Has the student performed satisfactorily in the other assessment items? Please see the policy of the school at the following link. Please note that the satisfactory performance also include meeting the obligation to have attended 80% of classes. http://www.asb.unsw.edu.au/schools/bankingandfinance/Documents/UNSWspecial-consideration-rules.pdf 3. Does the student have a history of previous applications for special consideration? A history of previous applications may preclude a student from being granted special consideration. Special Consideration and the Final Exam: Applications for special consideration in relation to the final exam are considered by an ASB Faculty panel to which lecturers-in-charge provide their recommendations for each request. If the Faculty panel grants a special consideration request, this will entitle the student to sit a supplementary examination. No other form of consideration will be granted. The following procedures will apply: 1. Supplementary exams will be scheduled centrally and will be held approximately two weeks after the formal examination period. The dates for ASB supplementary exams for Semester 1, 2014 are: 15th July exams for the School of Accounting 16th July exams for all Schools except Accounting and Economics 17th July exams for the School of Economics If a student lodges a special consideration for the final exam, they are stating they will be available on the above dates. Supplementary exams will not be held at any other time. 2. Where a student is granted a supplementary examination as a result of a request for special consideration, the students original exam (if completed) will be ignored and only the mark achieved in the supplementary examination will count towards the final grade. Failure to attend the supplementary exam will not entitle the student to have the original exam paper marked and may result in a zero mark for the final exam. If you attend the regular final exam, you are extremely unlikely to be granted a supplementary exam. Hence if you are too ill to perform up to your normal standard in the regular final exam, you are strongly advised not to attend. However, granting of a supplementary exam in such cases is not automatic. You would still need to satisfy the criteria stated above.
The ASBs Special Consideration and Supplementary Examination Policy and Procedures for Final Exams for Undergraduate Courses is available at: http://www.asb.unsw.edu.au/currentstudents/resources/forms/Documents/supplementa ryexamprocedures.pdf. Special consideration and assessments other than the Final exam: Please see the policy of the school at: http://www.asb.unsw.edu.au/schools/bankingandfinance/Documents/UNSW-specialconsideration-rules.pdf