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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "FIN 301-1"
COURSE NAME: "Finance"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Summer Session I 2016
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: David Shaffer
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: MTWTH 9:00 AM 10:45 AM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: Prerequisites: FIN 201, FIN 202, EC 202, MA 208
OFFICE HOURS: By Appointment

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course examines both the theoretical and applied foundations required to make decisions in financial management. The main areas covered include an  overview of the financial system and the efficiency of capital markets, evaluation of financial performance, time value of money, analysis of risk and return, basic portfolio theory, valuation of stocks and bonds, capital budgeting, international financial management, capital structure management, and the CFA Institute Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

This is a core course in Financial Management and Analysis.  The material in this course is essential to understanding how value-maximizing decisions are made within organizations.  Although the course will have a focus on applications, theory will be presented to provide a foundation for reflective and purposeful decision-making.  Without theory, decision-making becomes ad-hoc, to the detriment of the organization and its stakeholders.

Although sound math skills are required, the challenge in most finance courses—and this one is no exception—is acquiring a conceptual understanding of finance, not mathematical mastery.  This course will be introducing a new, economics-based way of thinking about problems.  It is important that you grasp the economic/finance concepts first, and then the math.  If you master the math without first understanding the underlying economics, you will struggle.  Please do not fall behind.  We will move at a brisk pace and catching up is difficult.  

It is important that you have a calculator for this course.  A cellular phone is not acceptable and will not be allowed for exams.  Also, please make sure you have taken all required prerequisites for this course. (Financial Accounting, Managerial Accounting, Macroeconomics, and Statistics).

LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Understand the overarching goal of financial decision-making: creating economic value
Develop and apply, both numerically and intuitively, time value of money skills
Measure and understand a firm's risk and how it affects firm value
Understand the key linkages between financial decisions and firm value creation
Analyze a firm's performance and learn corrective action to improve performance
Develop Microsoft Excel skills

 
TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
Fundamentals of Financial Management, Concise Edition, 8th EditionEugene F. Brigham and Joel F. HoustonCengage Learning9781285065137     
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
ParticipationParticipation is based on the student's incremental intellectual contribution to the class4%
Exam 1Wednesday, June 132%
Exam 2Tuesday, June 1432%
Exam 3Friday, June 2432%

-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.
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.
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.
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.
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.

-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS AND EXAMINATION POLICY
You cannot make-up a major exam (midterm or final) without the permission of the Dean’s Office. 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.  
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

INTRODUCTION TO FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT:
CHAPTER 1:  An Overview of Financial Management (HW: 1, 2, 6, 7, 8, 9)
CHAPTER 2:  Financial Markets and Institutions (HW: 1, 4, 5, 9, 10)

FUNDAMENTAL CONCEPTS IN FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT:
CHAPTER 3:  Financial Statements, Cash Flow, and Taxes (HW: 1, 2, 6, 7, 10, 13, 15 16)
CHAPTER 4:  Analysis of Financial Statements (No HW assigned)
CHAPTER 5:  Time Value of Money (HW: 9, 10, 12, 14, 15, 16, 20, 22, 24, 27, 30)

FINANCIAL ASSETS:
CHAPTER 7:  Bonds and Their Valuation (HW: 1, 2, 4, 7, 9, 15, 18)
CHAPTER 6:  Interest Rates (HW: 1, 2, 5, 9, 11, 17, 18)
CHAPTER 8:  Risk and Rates of Return (HW: 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 12, 13, 16, 20, 21)
CHAPTER 9:  Stocks and Their Valuation (HW: 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 14, 15, 16, 18)

INVESTING IN LONG-TERM ASSETS:  CAPTIAL BUDGETING:
CHAPTER 11:  The Basics of Capital Budgeting (HW: 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 10, 17, 18)
CHAPTER 10:  The Cost of Capital (HW: 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 18, 19)
CHAPTER 12:  Cash Flow Estimation and Risk Analysis (HW: 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 9, 10, 15)