Contemporary Issues in Finance
| Code | School | Level | Credits | Semesters |
| BUSI4602 | Business | 4 | 10 | Spring UK |
- Code
- BUSI4602
- School
- Business
- Level
- 4
- Credits
- 10
- Semesters
- Spring UK
Summary
The module starts with early phase of a typical firm’s life cycle with discussion of the role of venture capital in mentoring and leading them to possible exits including Initial public offerings. These will be followed by an in-depth analysis of financial markets with diversity of financial claims issued by both young and matured companies. The module would then also explore corporate restructuring and financial decisions leading to analysis of corporate breakup transactions (divestitures, spinoffs, equity carve outs, tracking stocks), leveraged recapitalizations, and leveraged buyouts (LBOs) and study the value-drivers behind them with both theoretical framework and empirical analysis linking current events. It will also discuss factors that determine cross-border takeover, and the influence of cross-border M&As on corporate shareholders' wealth and corporate governance. Finally topics dealing with corporate social responsibility and its value-enhancing capabilities and the link between corporate political connections (managers, board members, shareholders) and corporate financing activities will be discussed in detail from both theoretical and empirical perspectives.
Target Students
The target students are from 1.Msc Finance and Investment 2. MSc Accountancy and Finance3. MSc Banking and Finance.Students must have studied/ be studying BUSI4443 Corporate Finance OR BUSI4402 Corporate Finance Strategy. Also available to MSC Exchange students.
Co-requisites
Modules you must take in the same academic year, or have taken in a previous year, to enrol in this module:
Classes
- One 2-hour lecture each week for 11 weeks
22 hours lectures, 24 hours coursework preparation, 20 hours exam preparation, 34 hours individual reading/study
Assessment
- 100% Coursework: Students will be assessed by an individual essay of 2500 words which will cover 100 per cent of the final assessment of the module. The module will clearly specify three questions from topics covered in lectures. A student will have to select one of them to write an analytical essay with 2500 word limit.
Assessed by end of designated period
Educational Aims
This module aims to cover a wide range of topics that provide the basis for theoretical and empirical research in specific areas in finance which have both practical and contemporary relevance. It goes in-depth analysis of relevant topics like venture capital, Initial public offering, Corporate restructuring and Governance, politics and Finance and issues related to sustainability and environments. The aim is to equip the students with quantitative tools with a perspective to analyse contemporary issues and events in Finance from perspectives of both academic and industry experts.Learning Outcomes
The module develops:
Tools and techniques for transforming (big) data into useful information for business analysis and decision support. It also helps developing ability to think critically about the contemporary topics in Finance from the point of academic and business leaders.
In addition learning outcomes will help students:
(a) manage the creative processes involved in the analysis of topics and to achieve the following: organise thoughts, analyse, synthesise and critically appraise. This includes the capability to identify assumptions, evaluate statements in terms of evidence, detect false logic or reasoning, identify implicit values, define terms adequately and generalise appropriately.
(b) solve complex problems, ake decisions and establish criteria, by using appropriate decision-making techniques including identifying, formulating and solving business problems;
(c) build up the ability to create, identify and evaluate options; the ability to implement and review decisions
(d) use information and knowledge effectively in order to abstract meaning from information and to share knowledge, including the use of quantitative skills