Units
International Finance
Unit code: EFN414
Contact hours: 3 per week
Credit points: 12
Information about fees and unit costs
This unit introduces the theory and practice of international finance, the relationship between domestic and international financial markets, international parity conditions and arbitrage, foreign exchange risk management, country and political risk management, international trade finance, international portfolio investment, multinational cost of capital and capital structure, international capital budgeting and foreign direct investment.
Availability
| Semester | Available |
|---|---|
| 2013 Semester 2 | Yes |
Sample subject outline - Semester 2 2012
Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.
Rationale
To introduce students to the international aspects of international financial management and economics.
Aims
The aims of this unit are to:
Objectives
Course Learning Goals (Postgraduate)
The Faculty of Business has established the Assurance of Learning (AOL) Goals to meet contemporary industry needs and standards. Achieving these learning outcomes will assist you to meet the desired graduate outcomes set at QUT - aligned with other internationally renowned business schools. Students will develop the following capabilities relevant to a contemporary global and sustainable business environment:
Have knowledge and skills pertinent to a particular discipline (KS)
1.1 Well-researched knowledge and critical understanding applied to issues at the forefront of a specialised discipline area
1.2 Ability to select and use effectively a range of tools and technologies to locate and/or generate information appropriate to the disciplinary context
Be critical thinkers and effective problem solvers (CTA)
2.1 Apply logical, critical and creative thinking and judgement to generate appropriate solutions to problems in the disciplinary context
Be professional communicators in an intercultural context (PC)
3.1 Ability to create and present professional documents and/or reports using high levels of analysis/synthesis/evaluation for a range of contexts and audiences
3.2 Ability to orally communicate and justify ideas and information, at a professional level, for a variety of contexts and audiences, including peers and discipline specialists
Be able to work effectively in a Team Environment (TW)
4.1 Operate effectively and with flexibility to achieve common goals in collaborative settings, using a range of skills, including leadership, negotiation, reflection, proactivity and support for team members
Have a Social and Ethical Understanding (SEU)
5.1 Apply knowledge of the ethical, social and cultural dimensions relevant to business situations, including appropriate standards or codes of practice, to provide courses of action
Unit Objectives:
On completion of this unit, you should be able to:
1. To introduce students to the international financial and economic environment, including the international banking and monetary systems, the spot market, the forward market, the currency futures market, the currency options market and the currency swap markets.
2. To teach students the fundamental relationships in the determination of exchange rates.
3. To upgrade and extend the financial management and economics knowledge acquired in earlier subjects to an international setting.
4. To introduce students to foreign exchange risk, country risk, the financing of foreign trade, and related policy questions of national significance.
The specific course learning goals and unit objectives that apply to this unit are shown in the assessment section of this unit outline.
Content
Students will learn the history of exchange rate regimes and markets, practical skills to calculate and understand current and expected foreign exchange rates, the workings of currency derivatives, the effect of changing exchange rates on firm value, the benefits of international investing, international investment risks, why companies expand internationally and where they get their funding from, and brief introductions to international working capital management and corporate governance. This knowledge will be useful to students in both their personal and professional lives.
Approaches to Teaching and Learning
The approaches to teaching include lectures and tutorials. The lectures will focus on providing students with core theoretical and conceptual frameworks that are essential in the analysis of international financial issues. The tutorials will provide students the opportunity to solve certain practical as well as theoretical questions which will test their understanding of the theories and concepts discussed during the lecture. The tutorials will also provide students the opportunity to analyse cases that illustrate the application of international finance theories to the real world.
Assessment
Students will receive feedback in various forms throughout the semester which may include:
Assessment name:
Mid-semester Exam
Description:
The test covers lectures, tutorials and readings from weeks 1 to 5 inclusive. Multiple-choice questions may be both qualitative and quantitative.
Length/Duration: 1 hour + 15 minutes perusal
Formative or Summative: Formative and Summative
Relates to objectives:
Unit objectives: 1, 2, 3, 4 and AOL goals: KS (1.1), (1.2), CTA (2.1), PC (3.1)
Weight:
40%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
Week 7
Assessment name:
Final Exam
Description:
The test covers lectures, tutorials and readings from weeks 1 to 13 inclusive. Short answer questions may be both qualitative and quantitative.
Length/Duration: 2 hours + 15 minutes perusal
Formative or Summative: Summative
Relates to objectives:
Unit objectives: 1, 2, 3, 4 and AOL goals: KS (1.1), (1.2), CTA (2.1), PC (3.1)
Weight:
60%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
Central Exam Period
Academic Honesty
QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.
A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.
Resource materials
Prescribed Text
The prescribed textbook for this course is:
However, if you already have any of the following textbooks they cover the same material and you may not need to purchase the prescribed textbook above:
Additional Resources
The following are useful references, including textbooks, journals and websites. Additional references can also be found at the unit's Blackboard site.
Periodicals
Students are encouraged to consult periodicals/journals such as:
Risk assessment statement
There are no out-of-the-ordinary risks associated with lectures or tutorials in this unit. You should, however, familiarise yourself with evacuation procedures operating in the buildings in which you attend classes and take the time to
view the Emergency video.
Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.
Last modified: 01-Jun-2012
