Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Postgraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2018-2019 (archived)

Module ECON40715: INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL ASSET PRICING

Department: Business School (Economics and Finance)

ECON40715: INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL ASSET PRICING

Type Tied Level 4 Credits 15 Availability Available in 2018/19
Tied to L1K709
Tied to L1K609
Tied to L1K109
Tied to N3K109
Tied to N3K509
Tied to N3K709
Tied to N3K809

Prerequisites

  • None

Corequisites

  • Advanced Financial Theory (ECON41215)

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None

Aims

  • The module aims to:
  • develop students' advanced knowledge and critical understanding of key theoretical and empirical issues in international financial asset management including international diversification, and asset pricing;
  • develop students' ability to critically review this specialised complex area of knowledge with a view to undertaking future research in this area.

Content

  • Portfolio allocations under certainty and uncertainty;
  • International portfolio diversification issues;
  • Asset pricing;
  • Puzzles in international finance - e.g. home bias puzzle, exchange rates puzzle, equity premium puzzle.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • have explored, understood and appreciated the complexity and diversity of the current academic literature and its implications for professional practice, and be able to identify open questions for their own research;
  • have demonstrated ability to learn and work independently in addressing challenging complex issues in international financial asset management.
Subject-specific Skills:
  • have used highly specialised and advanced technical, professional and academic skills in analysing international financial asset management.
Key Skills:
  • Written Communication;
  • Planning, Organising and Time Management;
  • Problem Solving and Analysis;
  • Using initiative;
  • Numeracy;
  • Computer Literacy.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

  • A combination of lectures, seminars and guided reading will contribute to achieving the aims and learning outcomes of this module. Summative assessment by unseen examination will test students' knowledge and understanding of the subject matter and their ability to apply what they have learned in the analysis of specific issues.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Lectures 9 1 per week 2 hours 18
Seminars 4 fortnightly 1 hour 4
Preparation & Reading 126
Other: (Revision) 2 1 hour 2
Total 150

Summative Assessment

Component: Examination Component Weighting: 100%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Unseen written examination 2 hours 100% Same

Formative Assessment:

Students will receive written comments on a formative written assignment. Additional formative assessment, and feedback, may take a number of forms such as: oral feedback on work prepared by students for seminars; answers to questions either discussed during a seminar or posted on DUO.


Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University