Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Postgraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2024-2025

Module FINN40315: International Financial Asset Pricing

Department: Finance

FINN40315: International Financial Asset Pricing

Type Tied Level 4 Credits 15 Availability Not available in 2024/2025 Module Cap None.
Tied to L1K109
Tied to L1K609
Tied to L1K709
Tied to N3K109
Tied to N3K709
Tied to N3K309

Prerequisites

  • None

Corequisites

  • Advanced Financial Theory (FINN40515)

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;
  • Group work.

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

  • A combination of lectures (possibly blended delivery), seminars with practical demonstrations, practical work and guided reading will contribute to achieving the aims and learning outcomes of this module.
  • Summative assessment by written assignment, which 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 10 1 per week 2 hours 20
Seminars 4 1 per fortnight 1 hour 4
Preparation and Reading 126
Total 150

Summative Assessment

Component: Assignment Component Weighting: 100%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Assignment 2500 words 100% same

Formative Assessment:

Students will receive written comments on formative written assignments. Typically over the 10 weeks of the class, two of the seminars will be written up and submitted in small groups, this will be around 2500 words for each formative assignment.


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