IB9KB-15 Ethics, Financial Regulation and Corporate Governance
Introductory description
This module will be split into three parts to cover financial ethics, financial regulation, and environmental, social and governance issues.
Module aims
The first objective of this course is to introduce the concept of ethics and how it relates to the work that is done by finance professionals within financial institutions and companies. The second part will discuss the role of financial regulators who aim to make financial markets work well so that consumers get a fair deal, to enhance financial market integrity and to promote competition. The third part will focus on environmental, social and governance issues from an investor point of view.
Outline syllabus
This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.
Ethics and ethical expression finance
The Giving voice to values approach
Agents, fiduciaries, and conflicts of interest
Dilemmas and Current scandals in finance ethics
ESG investing
ESG investing as risk management
Human rights, Environment, justice and sustainability
Financial Regulation and Ethics
Market integrity, competition and conduct
Financial regulation and misconduct
Learning outcomes
By the end of the module, students should be able to:
- Identify and explain the three main drivers (ethical, political, instrumental) for integrating ESG insights into investment (and therefore corporate) decision-making.
- Identify and explain the legal and professional consequences of misconduct, for example (not all covered), whistleblowing, fraud, bribery and corruption, money laundering and data protection laws.
- Critically assess ethical issues in finance and strategize solutions to them in practical terms.
- Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of fundamental concepts in finance ethics including utilitarianism, deontology, virtue, agents, fiduciaries, conflicts of interest
Indicative reading list
Boatright, J. 2013. Ethics in Finance (3rd ed.). Chichester, UK: Wiley-Blackwell.
Tricker, B. 2015. Corporate Governance – Principles, Policies and practice, (3rd ed.). Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Subject specific skills
Craft compelling arguments applying ESG performance insights for input to portfolio strategy formulation and investment selection processes.
Analyse and evaluate the role in society of banks, other financial institutions, and the impact of financial regulation on corporate behaviour.
Analyse and evaluate the role of financial regulation in managing misconduct.
Transferable skills
Express and remain true to personal values in the face of workplace challenges by utilizing practical skills and strategies.
Study time
| Type | Required |
|---|---|
| Lectures | 4 sessions of 1 hour (3%) |
| Supervised practical classes | 24 sessions of 1 hour (16%) |
| Private study | 49 hours (33%) |
| Assessment | 73 hours (49%) |
| Total | 150 hours |
Private study description
Private study to include preparation for lectures and practical classes.
The first workshops will take place across weeks 0-2
The lectures will take place in term 2
The second set of workshops will take place in term 3. This may be held at an overseas partner location, depending on global circumstances.
Costs
No further costs have been identified for this module.
You do not need to pass all assessment components to pass the module.
Assessment group D
| Weighting | Study time | Eligible for self-certification | |
|---|---|---|---|
Assessment component |
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| Individual Assignment | 15% | 11 hours | Yes (extension) |
Reassessment component is the same |
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Assessment component |
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| Group presentation 2 | 20% | 14 hours 30 minutes | No |
|
Group presentation and/or presentation slides on equity ESG valuation |
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Reassessment component is the same |
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Assessment component |
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| Group presentation 1 | 20% | 14 hours 30 minutes | No |
|
Group presentation and/or presentation slides on finance ethics |
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Reassessment component is the same |
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Assessment component |
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| Written Exam | 45% | 33 hours | No |
|
Written Exam 1 hour |
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Reassessment component is the same |
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Feedback on assessment
Students will receive verbal formative feedback throughout the module. Summative feedback will be given on each assignment.
Courses
This module is Core for:
- Year 1 of TIBS-N300 MSc in Finance
- Year 1 of TIBS-LN1J Postgraduate Taught Finance and Economics