Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Postgraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2015-2016 (archived)

Module ECON45915: INTERNATIONAL FINANCE (ONLINE)

Department: Business School (Economics and Finance)

ECON45915: INTERNATIONAL FINANCE (ONLINE)

Type Tied Level 4 Credits 15 Availability Available in 2015/16 Module Cap None.
Tied to N3KA09

Prerequisites

  • None

Corequisites

  • None

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • International Finance (Taught) - ECON46015

Aims

  • develop students' advanced knowledge and critical understanding of international finance; 
  • develop students' ability to critically understand frontier theoretical and empirical issues in international finance; 
  • offer students the opportunity to develop some key analytical and technical skills in dealing with problems in international finance in a global economic environment.

Content

  • Economics of exchange rates; 
  • Purchasing power parity; 
  • Models of exchange rates; 
  • Foreign exchange market efficiency.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • By the end of the module students should: 
  • 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.
Subject-specific Skills:
  • By the end of the module, students should: 
  • be able to use highly specialised and advanced technical, professional and academic skills in analysing exchange rates, and more generally asset pricing in a global economy; 
  • be able to master problem solving and analytical skills in a challenging global environment, and other complex specialised contexts.
Key Skills:
  • planning, organising and time management skills
  • problem solving and analytical skills
  • the ability to use initiative
  • advanced skills in the interpretation of data
  • advanced computer literacy skills

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

  • The module is delivered via online learning, divided up into study weeks with specially produced resources within each week. Resources vary according to the learning outcomes but normally include: video content, directed reading, reflection through activities, opportunities for self-assessment and peer-to-peer learning within a tutor-facilitated discussion board. Tutors provide feedback on formative work and facilitate discussion board communication as well as being available for individual consultation as necessary (usually by email and Skype).
  • The summative assessment of the module is a two-hour written examination which will test students' specialist knowledge and critical understanding of the material covered in the module, their problem-solving and analytical skills.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Video content, directed reading, self-assessed assignments and guidance for further reading 150
Total 150

Summative Assessment

Component: Examination Component Weighting: 100%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Examination100 2 hours 100% Same

Formative Assessment:

A written assignment of 1,500 words based on a case study.


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