module specification

This module facilitates empirical research, critical thinking and understanding in relation to the operation of global banking operations and systems.

This module aims to enable students to:
1.  advance the current theoretical and empirical knowledge of global banking and finance
2.  integrate and develop an awareness and understanding of global banking systems and operations
3.  acquire an in-depth understanding of the methods, approaches and tools of academic research and the ability to appropriately seek out data required for research into a selected topic
4.  develop analytical, critical thinking and research skills in independently undertaking and reporting on an empirical research project related to global banking and finance.
6. develop time management, group, independent learning skills 

Rationale for global banking, types of banking and banking structures
Bank balance sheets; management of asset-liability and income-expense
Commercial and investment banking operations
Bank risk management: credit, market, liquidity and operational risks
Banking in the UK, Europe, USA, Japan and internationally
Bank performance, profitability, consolidation and competition
Bank failure and financial crises

The empirical and theoretical contexts of research, grounded theory and other research approaches
The research process: planning and design
Sources of data, research databases such as Bankscope, sampling, coding and data organisation
Secondary and primary data collection
Qualitative and quantitative research methodologies
Case study, observation, experimentation, ethnography, interview, survey,
Statistical and other forms of analysis
Validity and reliability of conclusions
Presentation and referencing
Ethical dimensions of research

The broad learning and teaching strategy adopted in this module is to provide a supportive environment in which students can develop their analytical, research and employability skills in the context of research project relating to global banking and finance.  The module will encourage students to build on the knowledge and skills they have acquired at levels 4 and 5 and to carry out independent work which enhances their  employability and leads to a final project consistent with professional standards.

Formal teaching will consist of a mixture of lectures, seminars and workshop activities.

The lectures will deliver the core academic and theoretical content of the syllabus. There will be a two-hour lecture for the first 20 weeks. The first ten weeks will focus on the content of the global banking part of the syllabus. The second ten weeks will focus on research methods and strategies.
The lectures will be supported by a one-hour seminar each week which will explore the content of the lecture from the previous week. Students will be required to prepare material in advance and the seminar will serve as a forum for them to share opinions, clear doubts and crystallize thoughts. Extant theory and/or practice related to the topic will be identified and examples used to encourage exploration of the topic by further directed reading.  A variety of teaching tools will be used including presentations, web material, videos, group discussion, quizzes and online discussion.

In the final 10 weeks of the module there will be 3-hour workshops:  These are provided to give direction to groups of students, all of whom will be in the process of either writing a Research Project Proposal or a Research Project itself.  Inter alia, during these sessions, students will be required to explore issues relating to their project in a group environment with the support of the tutor. Students will bring draft electronic versions (on memory-stick, disc or CD-Rom) of their Research Proposals and Projects to these sessions. With the consent of the relevant student, these draft versions will be used as a basis for learning, examination and analysis.   

Students will use the University’s virtual learning platform to access supporting class materials, weblinks and discussion forums.

Personal Development Planning (PDP) and reflection skills will be assessed in this module and practised through periodic reflective exercises.

On successful completion of the module students, will be able to:

1.  analyse national banking systems on a comparative framework and with an appreciation of the international environment within which they operate
2.  examine global banking structures and strategies
3.  apply academic theories to global banking and finance scenarios
4.  identify a theoretical or applied research problem, set objectives related to its solution and design a logical structure for a research project related to the problem
5.  identify appropriate ethical methods of research, techniques, and tools useful for the analysis and successful completion of a research focused project
6.  demonstrate analytical, critical thinking and research skills by working independently in terms of problem identification, literature review, research methodology, data collection, analysis, conclusions and presentation of an empirical research project in global banking and finance

Diagnostic and formative assessment will take place on a weekly basis in seminars and workshops to develop theoretical, analytical and oral and written communication skills.

Summative and formative assessment will take place with the in class test in week 11. This will assess student’s knowledge and understanding of the Global Banking elements of the syllabus.

Formative and summative assessment will take place with submission of a research proposal of 1000 words in week 14. This will assess students’ understanding of research methodology and time management.

Formative and summative assessment will take place with the submission of an empirical research project report of 4000 words in week 30.  Students will be required to include within their empirical research report a reflective essay.
 

Books
Brown, A. and Dowling, P. (1998) Doing Research / Reading Research; A Mode of Interrogation for Education, Falmer Press, London.
Casu, B. (2011) ‘Introduction to Banking’ Financial Times Prentice Hall
Duffie, D (2011) ‘How big banks fail and what to do about it Princeton’, Princeton University Press N.J.
Heffernan, S, (2005) ‘Modern Banking’, John Wiley & Sons
Robson, C. (1993) Real World Research, Blackwells, Oxford
Saunders M., Lewis, P. and Thornhill, A. (2006) ‘Research Methods for Business Students’ 4th Pearson Education Limited, Harlow, Essex

Academic Journal Articles (accessible electronically)
Dabrowski, M.  (2010) ‘The global financial crisis: Lessons for European integration’ Economic Systems Available online 25 January 2010
DeYoung, R. & Yom, C. (2008) ‘On the independence of assets and liabilities: Evidence from U.S. commercial banks, 1990–2005’ Journal of Financial Stability, Volume 4, Issue 3, September 2008, Pages 275-303
Longstaff, F. A. (2010) ‘The subprime credit crisis and contagion in financial markets Journal of Financial Economics, In Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available online 25 January 2010
Moshirian, F. (2011) ‘The global financial crisis and the evolution of markets, institutions and regulation’ Journal of Banking & Finance, Volume 35, Issue 3, Pages 502-511

Professional Journal Articles
Hilton, A. (2011) ‘Thinking, not bashing’, p 8, Financial World, June 2011

Websites
Bank for International Settlements http://www.bis.org