ETHICS IN FINANCE - 2020/1

Module Overview

As a result of a range of recent corporate scandals an increased emphasis has been put on corporate social responsibility and the need for the board of directors to conform to an ethical code of conduct while managing the affairs of an entity. This module explores how corporate governance examines the system of rules, principles and procedures through which a company is run to promote the best interest of its shareholders, other stakeholders and the wider society. 

Module provider

Surrey Business School

Module Leader

MILLIGAN Victoria (SBS)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 7

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Module Availability

Semester 2

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

None

Module content

Indicative content includes, but not exhausted to:

 

• 
  Theoretical frameworks for corporate governance, accountability and ethics 
  


• 
  The consequences of corporate governance weaknesses and failure
  


• 
  Examples of Corporate Failure and ethical implications
  


• 
  The UK corporate governance framework: Codes of Practice and governance reviews
  


• 
  Internal mechanisms: board effectiveness, the role of non-executive directors, remuneration structures
  


• 
  External mechanisms, especially the role of institutional investors.
  


• 
  International corporate governance: comparative analysis 
  


• 
  Corporate governance and stakeholder accountability: holistic governance
  


• 
  Responsible investment
  

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

Alternative Assessment for each assignment will be: Individual Assignment (1,000 words)

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate a number of learning outcomes that are directly related to the topics delivered in various weeks. The assessments are designed to capture learning in all the topics and the summative assessment for this module consists of two parts: the group presentation (50%) and the coursework (50%).

 

Both types of examination are designed to assess the student’s ability to comprehend and critically discuss the relevant theoretical concepts relating to Ethics in Finance.

 

Formative assessment and feedback

 

Tutorials provide a platform of frequent feedback in the topics covered preparing, thus, the student for his/her success in the group presentation and coursework. Additionally, the module offers a platform for students to give and receive feedback via SurreyLearn. Finally, weekly office hours aim to provide additional feedback and assist students with the workload.

Module aims

• The aim of this module is to give a critical awareness of corporate governance and ethics, their relevance within modern organisations and the mechanisms which can be adopted to improve corporate governance, ethics and professional principals. Further, the module aims to enable students to discuss, analyse, and assess various topics and themes in Ethics in Finance.

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The module commences in the Summer Semester.

 

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to allow students to familiarise themselves with an essential mix of theory and practice of various aspects in governance and ethics.

• 
  Lectures introducing the topic of discussion
  


• 
  Tutorial sessions for solving problems and understanding the underlying theory introduced in lectures. Tutorials are an integral part of the module as they provide a critical review and an empirical assessment of each topic
  


• 
  Lectures and tutorials will be supported by directed reading in textbooks and relevant journal articles
  


• 
  SurreyLearn is used as the main pool of resources including lecture handouts, tutorial problems, and mock test/exams.
  


• 
  Feedback will be provided on a regular basis during lectures and tutorials as well as during weekly office hours
  
   
  
  The learning and teaching methods include:
  
  Total student learning time 150 hours. (time commitment and allocation to be confirmed)
  
  
  
  
  1. 
     Lectures=22 hours
     
  
  
  2. 
     Tutorials=11 hours
     
  
  
  3. 
     Out of class lecture reading=60 hours
     
  
  
  4. 
     Out of class tutorial reading=30 hours
     
  
  
  5. 
     Out of class academic journal reading=13 hours
     
  
  
  6. 
     Out of class relevant magazine/newspapers reading=14 hours
     
  
  
  
  

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: MANM378

Programmes this module appears in

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2020/1 academic year.