Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Unit Convenor / Lecturer
Alison Belot
Contact via Email
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Credit points |
Credit points
4
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Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
Admission to MAppFin and AFCP801 and ECFS866 and ECFS867 and ECFS868
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Corequisites |
Corequisites
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Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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Unit description |
Unit description
Students will integrate and apply their knowledge and skills to issues and cases that simulate professional practice in finance. Students will reflect on their roles as practitioners in the finance industry and further develop their professional identity. Critical analysis skills will be utilised to evaluate, synthesise and provide reasoned responses to issues arising in financial practice. Students will undertake research in applied finance and will be challenged to critically reflect on current issues via the preparation and presentation of a major research report. Personal communication, negotiation and collaborative skills will be further developed. This unit will be undertaken towards the end of the program of study.
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Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
To pass this unit (requires a Mark of 50 or better) the student must pass the Research Project.
Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
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Proposal for Research Project | 10% | No | Sunday following 1st block |
Developing Professional Skills | 25% | No | Refer to iLearn |
Research Project | 40% | Yes | Refer to iLearn |
In-Class Activities | 25% | No | Ongoing |
Due: Sunday following 1st block
Weighting: 10%
Summary of Assessment Task
Individual / Group: Individual
Due Date: Wednesday night prior to first class
Grading Method: Refer to 'Standards Required to Complete the Unit Satisfactorily' section
Submission Method: Online via Turnitin on iLearn site
Duration: Refer to Assignment Coversheet
Extension Requests:
Due: Refer to iLearn
Weighting: 25%
Summary of Assessment Task
Individual / Group: Individual
Due Date: Refer to the Unit's iLearn site
Grading Method: Refer to 'Standards Required to Complete the Unit Satisfactorily' section
Submission Method: Depends on media in which assessment is submitted – refer to iLearn site for details
Duration: Refer to Assignment Coversheet
Extension Requests:
Due: Refer to iLearn
Weighting: 40%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)
Summary of Assessment Task
Individual / Group: Individual
Due Date: Refer to the Unit's iLearn site
Grading Method: Refer to 'Standards Required to Complete the Unit Satisfactorily' section
Submission Method: Online via Turnitin on iLearn site
Duration: Refer to Assignment Coversheet
Extension Requests:
Due: Ongoing
Weighting: 25%
Summary of Assessment Task
Individual / Group: Individual
Due Date: Ongoing
Grading Method: Refer to 'Standards Required to Complete the Unit Satisfactorily' section
Submission Method: Based on a series of structured in-class activities and participation in Topic 4: Communication, Topic 5: Negotiation, Topic 6: Legal Reasoning & Legal Duties and Topic 7: Ethics in Finance.
Duration: Assessed during class times
Extension Requests: N/A
Face-to-Face Teaching: Approximately 30 hours
Timetable: Detailed timetable for classes are on the Centre’s web site www.mafc.mq.edu.au
Class Changes:
Students will only be permitted to change classes if authorised by the Applied Finance Centre.
Request for changes must be made:
Consultation Times:
Students who wish to contact any of the teaching staff may do so through:
This unit introduces students to a type, and range, of literature different to that covered in the balance of the degree. There are no textbooks which cover the scope of this course, however the course notes and supplementary material will provide a broad overview of the literature, which you will need to explore as part of the various assessment tasks. Some useful books which cover some aspects of the professional skills domain are listed below, and are considered useful material.
For the design and preparation of assessment tasks the following are considered helpful:
Additional Material:
Lecture Notes:
Assumed Knowledge:
This Unit is designed to be undertaken towards the end of a student’s program of study. Familiarity with the broad range of applied finance is therefore assumed.
Assumed Access:
Access to a computer with word processing, powerpoint and internet capability is assumed, as is general computer literacy.
Unit iLearn Site:
Important Notice:
TOPIC 1: THE TRUSTED ADVISOR
Topics:
Readings:
Ch 2: “What is a Trusted Advisor” and Ch 8: “The Trust Equation” from The Trusted Advisor by David H. Maister, Charles H. Green and Robert M. Galford, Simon & Schuster, 2004
TOPIC 2: PROBLEM SOLVING AND DECISION MAKING
Topics:
Readings:
Ch 8: “Questioning the Problem Solving Process” from The Pyramid Principle by Barbara Minto, Financial Times – Pitman Publishing, 1987
Ch 1: “Making Smart Choices” and Ch 2 “The Problem” from Smart Choices by John S. Hammond, Ralph L. Keeney and Howard Raiffa, Broadway Books, 2015 [Reprint]
Ch 14: “Decision framing and cognitive inertia” from Decision Analysis for Management
Judgement by Paul Goodwin and George Wright, 3rd ed, Wiley, 2004
Ch 1: “Framing the Problem” in Ethan M. Rasiel and Paul N. Friga, The McKinsey Mind, McGrath Hill, 2002 [only available via link to ebook at library]
TOPIC 3: RESEARCH METHODS FOR APPLIED FINANCE
Topics:
Readings:
Ch 1: “The nature and process of business research” from Business Research Methods, by Alan Bryman & Emma Bell, Oxford, 2015
Ch 2: "The scientific approach and alternative approaches to investigation” from, Research Methods for Business: A Skill-Building Approach, by Uma Sekaran and Roger Bougie, 6th ed, Wiley, 2013 [available as e-text]
Ch 1: “Framing the Problem” from The McKinsey Mind, by Ethan M. Rasiel and Paul N. Friga McGrath Hill, 2002 [ebook available via library]
Ch 3: “Consuming Statistical Data” from Making Better Decisions, by Itzhak Gilboa, Wiley- Blackwell, 2011
TOPIC 4: COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES
Topics:
Readings:
Ch 14: “Persuading Others” from The Art of Thinking, by Vincent Ryan Ruggiero
Ch 5: “Having the Conversation” from Fixing Feedback by Georgia Murch, Wiley, 2015
Ch 16: “Investor Communications” from The Cornerstones of Corporate Finance, by Tim Koller, Richard Dobbs and Bill Huyett, Wiley, 2011
TOPIC 5: NEGOTIATION
Topics:
Readings:
Ch 30: “Negotiating the Deal”, from Applied Mergers & Acquisistions by Robert F. Bruner, Wiley Finance, 2004
“Six Habits of Merely Effective Negotiators” by James K. Sebenius, Harvard Business Review, April, 2001
“Control the Negotiations Before It Begins” by Deepak Malhotra, Harvard Business Review, December, 2015
Negotiation Case Studies will be made available prior to classes.
TOPIC 6: LEGAL REASONING AND LEGAL DUTIES
Topics:
Readings:
Law: A Very Short Introduction, by Raymond Wacks, 2nd Edition, Oxford University Press, 2015
“Legal Duties”, Reading Material prepared by Applied Finance Centre
[Will be made available in class for Block #1]
TOPIC 7: ETHICS IN FINANCE
Topics:
Readings:
Ethical Frameworks for Finance prepared by Chris White & Gordon Preece Case Study; Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bE3r0bRYGeY&feature=youtube
TOPIC 8: CONTEMPORARY INDUSTRY ISSUES
Topics:
Readings:
N/A
TOPIC 9: DEFINING PROFESSIONAL CHARACTER
Topics:
Readings:
N/A
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
Academic Honesty Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html
Assessment Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy_2016.html
Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html
Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/complaint_management/procedure.html
Disruption to Studies Policy (in effect until Dec 4th, 2017): http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html
Special Consideration Policy (in effect from Dec 4th, 2017): https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policies/special-consideration
In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/
Results shown in iLearn, or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au.
Students should also consult the MAFC Program Rules & Procedures found at http://www.mafc.mq.edu.au
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.
For all student enquiries, please contact studentsupport@mafc.mq.edu.au
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
Learning Skills (http://www.students.mq.edu.au/support/learning_skills/) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.
Our postgraduates will demonstrate a high standard of discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgment. They will have the ability to make informed choices and decisions that reflect both the nature of their professional work and their personal perspectives.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our postgraduates will be able to demonstrate a significantly enhanced depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content knowledge in their chosen fields.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our postgraduates will be capable of utilising and reflecting on prior knowledge and experience, of applying higher level critical thinking skills, and of integrating and synthesising learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments. A characteristic of this form of thinking is the generation of new, professionally oriented knowledge through personal or group-based critique of practice and theory.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our postgraduates will be capable of systematic enquiry; able to use research skills to create new knowledge that can be applied to real world issues, or contribute to a field of study or practice to enhance society. They will be capable of creative questioning, problem finding and problem solving.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our postgraduates will be able to communicate effectively and convey their views to different social, cultural, and professional audiences. They will be able to use a variety of technologically supported media to communicate with empathy using a range of written, spoken or visual formats.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our postgraduates will be ethically aware and capable of confident transformative action in relation to their professional responsibilities and the wider community. They will have a sense of connectedness with others and country and have a sense of mutual obligation. They will be able to appreciate the impact of their professional roles for social justice and inclusion related to national and global issues
This graduate capability is supported by:
The Standards Required to Complete the Unit Satisfactorily section was updated in August 2017.
Pre-reading: Please read the preliminary material provided prior to the first class.
This Unit Guide may be subject to change. The latest version is on the Centre’s web site www.mafc.mq.edu.au.
Students should read the Unit Guide carefully at the start of semester. It contains important information about the unit. If anything is unclear, please consult one of the unit lecturers.
University Policy on Grading:
Specific Unit Grading:
Students who have attained a total raw mark of 50% or greater in a unit, but have failed the Unit’s Research Project requirement and who have demonstrated “sufficient effort” in the Research Project, will be granted a single opportunity to submit a Research Project which will be graded on a pass/fail basis. The unit mark and grade for students who pass this Research Project will be those corresponding to the original total raw mark of all their assessment tasks, including the original Research Project. That is, the Supplementary Hurdle Research Project only determines the meeting of the hurdle requirement. Students who have attained a raw mark of 50% or greater in a unit, yet failed all attempts at the requirement, will be awarded an Fail Hurdle grade with a final mark of 49.
Grade | Expectation |
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High Distinction | Provides consistent evidence of deep and critical understanding in relation to the learning outcomes. There is substantial originality and insight in identifying, generating and communicating competing arguments, perspectives or problem solving approaches; critical evaluation of problems, their solutions and their implications; creativity in application as appropriate to the discipline. |
Distinction | Provides evidence of integration and evaluation of critical ideas, principles and theories, distinctive insight and ability in applying relevant skills and concepts in relation to learning outcomes. There is demonstration of frequent originality in defining and analysing issues or problems and providing solutions; and the use of means of communication appropriate to the discipline and the audience. |
Credit | Provides evidence of learning that goes beyond replication of content knowledge or skills relevant to the learning outcomes. There is demonstration of substantial understanding of fundamental concepts in the field of study and the ability to apply these concepts in a variety of contexts; convincing argumentation with appropriate coherent justification; communication of ideas fluently and clearly in terms of the conventions of the discipline. |
Pass | Provides sufficient evidence of the achievement of learning outcomes. There is demonstration of understanding and application of fundamental concepts of the field of study; routine argumentation with acceptable justification; communication of information and ideas adequately in terms of the conventions of the discipline. The learning attainment is considered satisfactory or adequate or competent or capable in relation to the specified outcomes. |
Fail | Does not provide evidence of attainment of learning outcomes. There is missing or partial or superficial or faulty understanding and application of the fundamental concepts in the field of study; missing, undeveloped, inappropriate or confusing argumentation; incomplete, confusing or lacking communication of ideas in ways that give little attention to the conventions of the discipline. |
Fail Hurdle | Student has obtained a raw mark over 50, yet failed all available attempts of at least one hurdle assessment. |
Review of Grade and final examination Script viewing:
Date | Description |
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23/08/2017 | Assessments Tasks section updated. |