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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "FIN 330"
COURSE NAME: "International Finance"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall 2025
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Andrea Delle Foglie
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: MW 11:30 AM 12:45 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS:
PREREQUISITES: Prerequisite: FIN 301
OFFICE HOURS: During the lecture time, after classes. In other periods, available by appointment. Please, send always an email in advance.
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
The course emphasizes the structure and analysis of international capital and financial markets, Euro-currency financing, and the financing of international transactions.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

Please note this syllabus is a draft. The final syllabus will be distributed the first of class and could be adjusted during the course.

Part 1. Overview to the International Finance

1. Introducing the global economy

2. Introduction to Foreign Exchange Markets and Risks

3. International Parity Conditions and Exchange Rate Determination

4. International Capital Markets

5. Foreign Currency Derivatives

6. Emerging Market Crises: The Boom–Bust Cycle

7. The Global Financial Crisis

8. The Eurozone Crisis

Part 2. Overview on the International Financial Systems

9. How to analyse international financial systems 

10. Regulation and Supervision in the Financial Systems

11. The Islamic Financial System

12. The Chinese Financial System

13. The US Financial System

14. Technological innovation in Finance

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

This course aims to provide students both a theoretical and practial approach in finance focusing on the foundamentals of international finance and international financial systems. By the end of the course students will have gained a solid understanding of the global economy and the functioning of the international financial systems. They will be able to analyze key macroeconomic dynamics shaping the interaction between countries, including the determinants of exchange rates, the role of monetary and fiscal policies, and the impact of international financial crises. Additionally, students will develop the skills to assess the structure and functioning of various financial systems—such as the Islamic, Chinese, and U.S. systems—and understand the importance of regulation, supervision, and financial innovation in shaping global finance.
TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
International Financial ManagementBekaert and HodrickCambridge University Press9781316282274 Chapters selection TBA. Other versions of the book will be accepted. Ebook are also accepted. Hard Copy  
International FinanceChinn and IrwinCambridge University Press9781009407823 Chapters selection TBA. Other versions of the book will be accepted. Ebook are also accepted. Hard Copy  
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberComments
Lecturer Notes  Other materials will be provided by the lecturer.

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberComments
Principles of Banking RegulationKernCambridge University Press9781108427265 Chapters selection TBA.
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Exam 1 / Exam 2Problem solving, short answers20%
Individual/Group project presentationCase study write up20%
Midterm assessmentQuizzes/multiple-choice questions and essay-type questions, graphic analysis, as well as some problems that require quantitative analysis, in which the student is asked to explain and/or solve with accuracy and clarity issues of a particular topic covered by the syllabus. Class attendance will be considered25%
Final ExamComprehensive final exam35%

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the course. (94 to 100 A; 90 to 93 A-)
BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments. (87 to 89 B+; 84 to 86 B; 80 to 83)
CThis is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings. (75 to 79 C+; 65 to 74 C; 60-64 C-)
DThis level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included.In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail. (55-59 D+; 50 to 54 D)
FThis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant. (Below 50)
-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:

ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS AND EXAMINATION POLICY 
Students are required to attend classes following the University’s policies. Students who miss more than 6 classes normally do not do well in the course. The Dean’s Office will grant such permission only when the absence was caused by a serious impediment, such as a documented illness, hospitalization or death in the immediate family (in which you must attend the funeral) or other situations of similar gravity. Absences due to other meaningful conflicts, such as job interviews, family celebrations, travel difficulties, student misunderstandings or personal convenience, will not be excused. Students who will be absent from a major exam must notify the Dean’s Office prior to that exam. Absences from class due to the observance of a religious holiday will normally be excused. Individual students who will have to miss class to observe a religious holiday should notify the instructor by the end of the Add/Drop period to make prior arrangements for making up any work that will be missed.

The final exam is comprehensive so students who miss 6 classes or less will have the option of dropping Exam 1 and/or Exam 2 and/or Individual/Group Project (midterm assessment cannot be dropped) and shifting the weights to the comprehensive final exam.
ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred. In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment, may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation to the President, who will make the final decision.
STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap. Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.
SCHEDULE
SessionSession FocusReading AssignmentOther AssignmentMeeting Place/Exam Dates
Week 1 - 2Course info and Introduction   
Week 3 - 4Introducing to Foreign Exchange Market and Risk / Exchange rate determination  Exam 1
Week 5 - 6International Capital Markets and Foreign Currency Derivatives   
Week 7International crises   
Week 8   Midterm Assessment
Week 8 - 9Analysing financial systems / Regulation and Supervision   
Week 10 - 11The Islamic Financial System  Exam 2
Week 12 - 13The Chinese and US Financial System   
Week 13 - 14Technological innovation in finance  Individual/Group project presentations
Week 15   Final Exam
 *Please note that topics can be adjusted