Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Postgraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2007-2008 (archived)

Module ECON43115: International Financial Reporting

Department: Economics, Finance and Business (Economics and Finance)

ECON43115: International Financial Reporting

Type Tied Level 4 Credits 15 Availability Available in 2007/08 Module Cap None.
Tied to L1K209

Prerequisites

  • None

Corequisites

  • None

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None.

Aims

  • To provide a critical appreciation of the nature of financial statements, the assumptions underlying their preparation and their interpretation. To develop an advanced understanding of the international context of financial reporting and analysis and the varying roles of financial statements in different countries. This module provides a context for the more sophisticated analysis of later modules.

Content

  • 1. Financial Statements. 2. Underlying concepts and principles. 3. Income measurement. 4. Capital maintenance. 5. Quality of Accounting information and its limitations. 6. Regulatory framework. 7. Current issues.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • By the end of this module students should:
  • have a critical understanding of the regulatory framework of financial reporting, particularly the development of International Financial Reporting Standards;
  • have a critical appreciation of the rules and assumptions underlying the preparation of financial statements;
  • have a critical appreciation of the limitations of financial reporting.
Subject-specific Skills:
  • be familiar with the specialist techniques required to undertake financial analysis;
  • be able to evaluate this analysis within an international context.
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

  • The module will be delivered by a combination of lectures, seminar discussions/presentations, case studies and guided reading appropriate for conveying the specialist knowledge and skills set out in the learning outcomes.
  • The summative assessment, by written assignment, is designed to test the acquisition and articulation of knowledge; and test skills of application and interpretation within an international context.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Lectures 9 Weekly 2 hours 18
Seminars 4 Fortnightly 1 hour 4
Preparation and reading 126
Revision Session 2 1 hour 2
Total 150

Summative Assessment

Component: Written assignment Component Weighting: 100%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Written assignment 3,000 words (maximum) 100%

Formative Assessment:

Group report and presentation. 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; discussions with teaching staff during consultation hours, or via e-mail.


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