CORPFIN 7102 - Advanced Finance (M)

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2017

This course is designed to: Obtain an in-depth understanding of some of the main theoretical and research perspectives that have contributed to the literature in finance; & Ability to critically review issues in financial economics and corporate finance respectively. 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 in advance. 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 material and make copies of it available to course lecturers and other class members. Students should distribute this extra reading material one week prior to the session. 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 - eight hours of preparation time will be required. Class presentations are expected to be comprehensive requiring not only mastery of the arguments but also supported by visual material. Participation marks will be awarded for demonstration of effective reading and understanding the arguments presented.

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Course Details

Course Code	CORPFIN 7102
Course	Advanced Finance (M)
Coordinating Unit	Adelaide Business School
Term	Semester 1
Level	Postgraduate Coursework
Location/s	North Terrace Campus
Units	3
Contact	Up to 3 hours per week
Available for Study Abroad and Exchange	N
Assessment	Exam/assignments/tests/tutorial work as prescribed at first lecture

Course Staff

Course Coordinator: Associate Professor Jean Canil

Course Coordinator: Jean Canil
Room 12.34, Nexus 10 (10 Pulteney Street)Telephone: 8313 5534
email: jean.canil@adelaide.edu.au

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.    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)
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)	1,4
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	2-4
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	4
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	1,3
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	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.

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

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 presentations)	50%
Participation and Q&A hand-in	20%
Take-home Exam	30%
Total	100%

For specific due dates please see MyUni.

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:

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