Course Syllabus
International Financial Management
|
Semester & Location: |
Spring 2024 - DIS Copenhagen |
Type & Credits: |
Core Course - 3 credits |
Major Disciplines: |
Business, Economics, Finance |
Prerequisites: |
One course each in macro- and microeconomics, and one finance course, all at university level. |
Faculty Member: |
Neil Smith, current students use canvas inbox. |
Time & Place: |
Mondays & Thursdays, 8:30 - 9:50 Classroom: F24-306 |
Prerequisites:
A year-long sequence of Micro and Macroeconomics, and an introductory course in Finance
Faculty Member: Neil Smith
Graduated from the University of Glasgow (Bachelor of Laws, 1999) and Diploma in Legal Practice (2000). Neil is based in Copenhagen as a Board Member and one of the owners of Nordeq Management A/S where he advises companies on structuring, international expansion and M & A. With DIS since spring 2016.
Objectives:
Removal of government controls and internationalization of firms have created, among other things, a vigorous global market in foreign exchange. These currency markets are the first contact most managers and investors have when venturing outside their own country.
Other major financial markets, such as the money markets (short-term instruments) and capital markets (debt and equity securities) maintain important domestic features, but are in fact dominated by multinational players trading global products.
This course aims at providing students with a practical understanding of foreign exchange markets, international money markets, and international capital markets. Students will be introduced to international finance by means of looking at how firms and governments interact with these markets, as well as how firms communicate to the market. The course will ask: Why is a country’s currency policy important? What are a country’s financial policy options? How do managers and investors determine their exposure, or risk? How do they control, or hedge, this exposure? How do they finance their operations and investments? What does the current trend around ESG mean for both businesses and governments?
In addition, political economy is currently more important for multinational businesses than in any time in a generation. We look at topical issues that are creating uncertainty, around trade and increasingly poltically aware consumers and investors and how these can be managed.
Requirements:
Written mid-term essay or examination (80 minutes), final paper or examination (open book), 3 case study assignments (to be completed in groups), 1 news presentation.
Case write-ups are due at the beginning of class on the due date indicated. Late cases will not be accepted.
Readings:
Please see course calendar for further details about what to prepare for each class. Links and files will also be available through the calendar.
Key text book:
Madura & Fox, “International Financial Management”
Others:
- The IMF and the World Bank - How Do They Differ?
- World bank controversy (Links to an external site.)
- IMF controversy
- Read “A Reconsideration of the 20th Century”
- The Big Mac Index by The Economist
- TPP IS Dead - Now What?
- Moneyweek Investment tutorial – “What are derivatives?” (plus additional videos if interested)What are derivatives? - MoneyWeek Investment Tutorials
- Interest rates and investment returns - The Economist
- “Sinking Globalisation” Niall Ferguson (Foreign Affairs 2005)
- “Revenge of the Optimum Currency Area” - Paul Krugman
- Kristin Archick, “The European Union: Current Challenges and Future Prospects”, you can skip over the security parts – pp 13-16
- “The History Behind Brexit”
- Listen to: “Cabinet Battle 1” from “Hamilton – the Musical”, available on Youtube
- “Historic Stock Market Crashes, Bubbles & Financial Crises”
- “The British Railway Bubble"
- “Black Monday and the Stock Market Crash of 1987”
- “The Dot-com Bubble”
- “The Stock market Crash of 1929”
- "Dutch Tulip Mania"
- 1980's Japanese Bubble
Grading
Assignment |
Percent |
Participation |
20% |
Cases |
30% |
Midterm |
20% |
Final written exam |
30% |
Course Policies
Academic Honesty: Plagiarism and Violating the Rules of an Assignment - DIS expects that students abide by the highest standards of intellectual honesty in all academic work. DIS assumes that all students do their own work and credit all work or thought taken from others. Academic dishonesty will result in a final course grade of “F” and can result in dismissal. The students’ home universities will be notified. DIS
reserves the right to request that written student assignments be turned in electronic form for submission to plagiarism detection software. See the Academic Handbook for more information, or ask your instructor if you have questions.
Attendance – You are expected to attend all DIS classes when scheduled. If you miss multiple classes the Director of Teaching and Learning, and the Director of Student Affairs will be notified and they will follow up with you to make sure that all is well. Absences will jeopardize your grade and your standing at DIS. Allowances will be made in cases of illness.
Specifically:
- An unexcused absence is any absence not due to illness AND not notified to the instructor in advance of class, unless specifically agreed otherwise with the instructor in advance.
- A late arrival is any case where you are not ready to start class at the designated time (i.e. coming through the door at start time will count as a late arrival).
Your participation grade will be docked 10% for two unexcused absences and 10% for each additional unexcused absence. Your participation grade will be docked 5% for 2 late arrivals, and an additional 5% for each subsequent late arrival.
Disability and Resource Statement Any student who has a need for accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact the Office of Academic Support (acadsupp@dis.dk) to coordinate this. In order to receive accommodations, students should inform the instructor of approved DIS accommodations within the first two weeks of classes.
Academic Regulations
Please make sure to read the Academic Regulations on the DIS website. There you will find regulations on:
DIS - Study Abroad in Scandinavia - www.DISabroad.org
Course Summary:
Date | Details | Due |
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