EFB201 Financial Markets


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Unit Outline: Semester 1 2022, Gardens Point, Internal

Unit code:EFB201
Credit points:12
Pre-requisite:48 credit points of completed studies.
Equivalent:EFX201
Coordinators:Xiqian Zhang | xiqian.zhang@qut.edu.au
Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of the teaching period.

Overview

This unit introduces students to the institutional elements of global financial markets, and the role and reality of financial markets as an integral part of the economy and of social and political structures. Topics explored in this unit include the functions of financial markets, the banking and payments system, financial system deregulation, non-bank financial institutions, stock exchange operations, debt markets, foreign exchange markets and markets for financial derivatives. Students will practise key skills of critical exploration and analysis in considering the role of finance theories and models to help understand key financial market events within broader social, economic and political contexts. Students will continue to develop and apply these foundational insights and critical thinking skills in subsequent finance units.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate and apply knowledge of domestic and international financial markets, products, institutions and regulatory authorities
  2. Critically analyse theories and models of finance including the contributions, assumptions, limitations and related social and ethical implications of these
  3. Demonstrate written communication skills to effectively structure, present and explain critical analysis of finance theories, models and thinking

Content

This unit focuses on eight different areas of financial markets. These are financial market theories, government debt markets, financial institutions, equity markets, debt markets, foreign exchange markets, derivatives markets and ethical issues in financial markets. All areas are covered from an Australian and international perspective.

QUT Business Capabilities (Undergraduate)

The content and assessment in this unit are aligned to a selection of the following set of QUT Business Capabilities, also known as Assurance of Learning Goals (AoLs). Developing these capabilities will assist you to meet the desired graduate outcomes set at QUT and equip you with the knowledge and skills to succeed in your chosen career.

Knowledge and Technological Skills (KS)
1.1 Demonstrate and apply integrated discipline (including technical) knowledge across the broad field of business with depth in one or more core business disciplines
1.2 Apply technical and technological skills appropriate and effective for real world business purposes and contexts.

Higher Order Thinking (HO)
2.1 Investigate real world business issues and situations through the effective analysis, evaluation and synthesis of theory and practice
2.2 Exercise independent judgement and initiative in adapting and applying knowledge and skills for effective planning, problem solving and decision making in diverse contexts.

Professional Communication (PC)
3
.1 Use information literacy skills, and communicate effectively and professionally in written forms and using media appropriate for diverse purposes and contexts
3.2 Use information literacy skills, and communicate effectively and professionally in oral forms, appropriate for diverse purposes and contexts.

Teamwork and Self (TS)
4.1 Exercise self-reflection, responsibility and accountability in relation to own learning and professional practice.
4.2 Apply teamwork knowledge and skills for effective collaboration across diverse purposes and contexts

Social, Ethical and Global Understanding (SE)
5.1 Demonstrate and apply knowledge of ethical and legal principles and practices in analysing and responding to business issues
5.2 Demonstrate and apply knowledge of socially responsible behaviour in analysing and addressing business issues in national and international business contexts.

Learning Approaches

This unit takes a critical approach to exploring financial theories and their relationship to real world events. Students will be introduced to diverse thinking and critical insights into financial market events and develop their own critical analysis skills drawing on texts, readings, online resources, guided discussions, interactive tutorials and practical exercises.

This unit has a formal class contact time in lectures and tutorials of approximately three hours (lecture two hours, workshop one hour). The lectures will present material relevant to the understanding of domestic and international financial markets. In addition, recent developments in the Australian and global financial markets will be reviewed. This material is to be examined in conjunction with the required reading for the topic. Lectures and text readings are to be viewed as complementary educational tools rather than substitutes with examinable material presented in either of these mediums or both.

Resources such as PowerPoint slides for each lecture topic and required readings are provided on the unit's Blackboard site. Important announcements in relation to the unit are also made available here. You will need your student number and password to access the Blackboard site.

COVID-19 restrictions may require changes to the planned Learning Approaches described here.  Students should refer to the unit Blackboard site for the latest information.

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

Students will receive feedback in various forms throughout the semester which may include:

  • Informal: worked examples, such as verbal feedback in class, personal consultation
  • Formal: in writing, such as checklists (e.g. criteria sheets), written commentary
  • Direct: to individual students, either in written form or in consultation
  • Indirect: to the whole class

Assessment

Overview

General Assessment Information

The assessment in this unit aims to support your achievement of the unit learning outcomes and course assurance of learning goals. The assessment has been designed in order to allow you to:

  • receive feedback on your learning as you progress toward the development of knowledge, understanding, skills and attitudes (formative assessment);
  • demonstrate your learning in order to achieve a final grade (summative assessment).

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Mid Semester exam

Multiple choice exam. The questions will cover all unit materials from weeks 1 to 5.

Formative or Summative: Formative and Summative

Business Capabilities (AoL goals): KS (1.1)

Weight: 20
Length: 1 Hour
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Week 7
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2

Assessment: Essay

The assignment will require knowledge and understanding of unit materials and application of critical analysis skills. It must be submitted to the unit Blackboard Site by 10.00pm on the due date.

This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.

Formative or Summative: Formative and Summative

Business Capabilities (AoL goals): KS (1.1), HO (2.1), PC (3.1)

Weight: 40
Length: 2,000 words
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Week 10
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2, 3

Assessment: Final examination

Short answer questions. The questions will cover all unit materials from Weeks 1 to 12.

Business Capabilities (AoL goals): KS (1.1), HO (2.1), SE (5.1, 5.2)

Weight: 40
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): During central examination period
Central Exam Period
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.

The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.

You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.

Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Resources

Resource Materials

Prescribed text(s)

Kidwell, Brimble, Lenten, Docherty, Mazzola and Basu. (2019). Financial Markets, Institutions and Money (4th Ed). Wiley.

Other

CFA Institute. (2014). Standards of practice handbook (11th ed.). Charlottesville, Virginia: CFA Institute.
http://www.cfapubs.org/doi/pdf/10.2469/ccb.v2014.n4.1

Additional references and resources, including lecture overheads, additional notes, weekly reading, assignments can be found at the unit's Blackboard site

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.

Standards/Competencies

This unit is designed to support your development of the following standards\competencies.

QUT Business Capabilities (Undergraduate)

HO (2.1): Critical Analysis

Relates to: ULO2, Essay, Final examination

KS (1.1): Discipline Knowledge

Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, Mid Semester exam, Essay, Final examination

PC (3.1): Professional Communication (Written)

Relates to: ULO3, Essay

SE (5.1): Ethical and Legal Understanding

Relates to: ULO2, Final examination

SE (5.2): Global Social Responsibility

Relates to: ULO2, Final examination

Course Learning Outcomes

This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.

BS05 Bachelor of Business

  1. Demonstrate and apply integrated discipline (including technical) knowledge across the broad field of business with depth in one or more core business disciplines.
    Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, Mid Semester exam, Essay, Final examination
  2. Demonstrate and apply knowledge of socially responsible behaviour in analysing and addressing business issues in national and international business contexts.
    Relates to: ULO2, Final examination
  3. Investigate real world business issues and situations through the effective analysis, evaluation and synthesis of theory and practice.
    Relates to: ULO2, Essay, Final examination
  4. Use information literacy skills, and communicate effectively and professionally in written forms and using media appropriate for diverse purposes and contexts.
    Relates to: ULO3, Essay
  5. Demonstrate and apply knowledge of ethical and legal principles and practices in analysing and responding to business issues.
    Relates to: ULO2, Final examination