IDENTIFYING DATA 2013_14
Subject (*) INTERNATIONAL FINANCE Code 16204202
Study programme
Graduate in Finances and Accounting
Cycle 1st
Descriptors Credits Type Year Period
6 Optional Second
Language
Anglès
Department Business Management
Coordinator
LI ., XIAONI
E-mail xiaoni.li@urv.cat
Lecturers
LI ., XIAONI
Web
General description and relevant information International Finance is designed to provide knowledge and skills needed in financial management. Upon course completion, the participants will understand and appreciate the international financial issues that companies face when they operate in the international context. The course will develop both the theoretical foundation and practical skills of those who will operate in an increasingly globalised business environment. It focuses on a practical understanding of foreign exchange markets,international monetary markets and international capital markets and also covers various international financial management issues, which are essential for those who are engaged and active in international business management.

Competences
Type A Code Competences Specific
 A1 Understand the financial system: they are familiar with the institutions, the products and markets of which it consists institutional relations and the economic environment.
 A7 Understand basic micro- and macroeconomic principles and their influence on the financial sector.
Type B Code Competences Transversal
 B4 Autonomy, responsibility and initiative
Type C Code Competences Nuclear
 C1 Have an intermediate mastery of a foreign language, preferably English

Learning outcomes
Type A Code Learning outcomes
 A1 Understand and explain how companies engage in international financing and investment.
 A7 Explain the factors that Determine exchange rates.
Describe currency market operations.
Type B Code Learning outcomes
 B4 Do the work planned in accordance with the quality criteria provided.
Present results before the stipulated deadlines.
Use data to take correct decisions.
Present results in the appropriate way in accordance with the bibliography provided and before the deadline.
Type C Code Learning outcomes
 C1 Explain and justify briefly their opinions and projects.
Understand instructions about classes or tasks assigned by the teaching staff.
Understand routine information and articles.
Understand the general meaning of texts that have non-routine information in a familiar subject area.

Contents
Topic Sub-topic
UNIT 1. The International Financial Environment
1.1 An Introduction to International Finance
1.2 International Monetary Market
1.3 Foreign Exchange Markets (FOREX)
1.4 Eurocurrency Markets
1.5 International Arbitrage and the International Parity Conditions
1.6 Simulation: FOREX


UNIT 2. Foreign Exchange Risk Management
2.1 Currency Derivatives
2.2 Managing Foreign Exchange Exposure and Risk: transaction, operating and translation exposures
2.3 Hedging Currency Risks
2.4 Simulation: Currency Derivatives

UNIT 3. International Investment and Global Financing
3.1 International Bond and Stock Markets: international dimensions of long-term financing
3.2 Strategic Entry into International Markets: Asian Markets and Islamic Markets
3.3 Country Risk Management
3.4 Simulation: Stock Market

UNIT 4. Other Relevant Topics 4.1 Financial and Currency Crises in Open Economies. Influence on Balance of Payments
4.2 Foreign Investment Analysis
4.3 International Financial Reporting and Governance


Planning
Methodologies  ::  Tests
  Competences (*) Class hours
Hours outside the classroom
(**) Total hours
Introductory activities
2 1 3
Lecture
A6
B4
C1
38 42 80
Practicals using information and communication technologies (ICTs) in computer rooms
A6
B4
C1
10 22 32
Problem solving, classroom exercises
A6
B4
C1
8 22 30
Personal tuition
1 1 2
 
Oral tests
A1
A7
B4
C1
1 0 1
Practical tests
A1
A7
B4
C1
1 0 1
Mixed tests
A1
A7
B4
C1
1 0 1
 
(*) On e-learning, hours of virtual attendance of the teacher.
(**) The information in the planning table is for guidance only and does not take into account the heterogeneity of the students.

Methodologies
Methodologies
  Description
Introductory activities Introduce the course outline, form of evaluation and office hours.
Lecture Powerpoints will be presented accompanied with some reading materials
Practicals using information and communication technologies (ICTs) in computer rooms Practice applying certain softwares will be carried out for simulation sections
Problem solving, classroom exercises Exercises based on the materials covered will be carried out
Personal tuition Personal tuition will be carried out during office hours or Emails ect.

Personalized attention
Description
Office hours will be set to solve any problems or queries that students might have; also communications can be enabled through Email or moodle

Assessment
Methodologies Competences Description Weight        
Practical tests
A1
A7
B4
C1
One course work (or project) will be required upon the material covered. 20%
Mixed tests
A1
A7
B4
C1
Final exam will be carried out in the form of mixed test. 60%
Oral tests
A1
A7
B4
C1
Presentation will be required with certain topic related with the material of the course. 20%
Others  
 
Other comments and second exam session

First evaluation: students need to obtain 5 (out of 10) or above to pass the course's first evaluation.

Second evaluation: if students obtain a higher grade in the final exam (mixed test) of the second evaluation than the criteria (20%-20%-60%) mentioned before, the grade of the final exam of second evaluation will account for 100% of course evaluation.


Sources of information

Basic Levi, M. D. , International Finance, 5th ed. , Routledge
Butler, K. C., Multinational Finance, 4th ed. , Wiley
Shapiro, A. C., Multinational Financial Management, 8th ed. , Wiley

Complementary Heather D. Gibson, International finance : exchange rates and financial flows in the international financial system , 1996, Longman
Akkizidis, D. & Khandelwal, S. K., Financial Risk Management for Islamic Banking and Finance, , Palgrave Macmillan

Recommendations

Subjects that are recommended to be taken simultaneously
FUNDAMENTALS OF FINANCIAL MARKETS/16204113
INTERNATIONAL MARKETING/16204201

Subjects that it is recommended to have taken before
FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT: INVESTMENT/16204101
(*)The teaching guide is the document in which the URV publishes the information about all its courses. It is a public document and cannot be modified. Only in exceptional cases can it be revised by the competent agent or duly revised so that it is in line with current legislation.