Course Catalogue

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Finance as a system depends on the society, its culture, traditions, and values in which it operates.  The course encourages students to recognise that finance is a powerful tool to help solve some of the common problems that we face as a society: such as poverty, inequality, wellbeing, but may give rise to certain ethical dilemmas. Students will be exposed to a selection of topics on the interaction of finance and society, and appreciate the mechanisms through which finance affects society and vice versa.

Workshops: 10 x 2-hour workshops (Semester 2)

Tutorials: 4 x 1-hour tutorials, fortnightly, beginning from the second week of the semester

Normally a grade D3 or above in Finance 1 (or equivalent).

Please refer to the current undergraduate prospectus at : https://www.gla.ac.uk/undergraduate/

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The aims of this course are to

1. Develop knowledge and understanding of theories and empirical findings on the interactions of financial systems and society.

2. Build capacity to apply those theories and facts in the analysis of how developments in finance may affect our lives, and what changes in the development of financial systems are to be expected, given the priorities of the society.

3. Build capacity to evaluate critically the functions of financial systems and the finance profession, and the ethical considerations arising from their roles.

4. Develop analytical skills, collaboration skills and presentation skills

By the end of this course students will be able to:

1. apply appropriate models to evaluate the role of finance in shaping society 

2. apply appropriate models to evaluate the role of society and social values in shaping finance

3. appraise the role financial markets or financial intermediaries have in resolving problems faced by society

4. explain the ethical considerations underpinning finance and business practice  

5. work collaboratively in a group to produce a combined piece of coursework, by liaising with other class members, allocating tasks and co-ordinating group meetings.

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course summative assessment.