Overview

This unit helps students develop ethical values and skills in the rapidly evolving and uncertain environment of international finance. Students learn about ethical values, traits and principles, as applied to the world of finance. Using the Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct from the Charter of Financial Analysts (CFA) Institute, students will explore key ethical issues relating to global finance and investments. Students will also learn about international financial systems and the various types of exchange rate regimes. Students also learn about the technology-driven trends reshaping the international finance industry.

Requisites

Teaching periods
Location
Start and end dates
Last self-enrolment date
Census date
Last withdraw without fail date
Results released date
Teaching Period 3
Location
Online
Start and end dates
04-November-2024
09-February-2025
Last self-enrolment date
17-November-2024
Census date
29-November-2024
Last withdraw without fail date
27-December-2024
Results released date
04-March-2025
Semester 1
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
03-March-2025
01-June-2025
Last self-enrolment date
16-March-2025
Census date
31-March-2025
Last withdraw without fail date
24-April-2025
Results released date
08-July-2025
Semester 2
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
04-August-2025
02-November-2025
Last self-enrolment date
17-August-2025
Census date
31-August-2025
Last withdraw without fail date
19-September-2025
Results released date
09-December-2025
Teaching Period 3
Location
Online
Start and end dates
03-November-2025
08-February-2026
Last self-enrolment date
16-November-2025
Census date
28-November-2025
Last withdraw without fail date
02-January-2026
Results released date

Learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:

  • Discuss the importance of ethical decision making for investment professionals and the concept of fairness for financial transactions to embrace public trust
  • Apply principles of professional integrity, trust and ethical conduct frameworks in the investment profession
  • Analyse advantages and disadvantages of the various exchange rate regimes and apply theories of exchange rate determination in international financial transactions
  • Communicate effectively and discuss the role of technology in reshaping international finance industry

Teaching methods

Hawthorn

Type Hours per week Number of weeks Total (number of hours)
On-campus
Class
2.00 12 weeks 24
Online
Lecture
1.00 12 weeks 12
Unspecified Activities
Various
9.50 12 weeks 114
TOTAL150

Swinburne Online

Type Hours per week Number of weeks Total (number of hours)
Online
Directed Online Learning and Independent Learning
12.50 12 weeks 150
TOTAL150

Assessment

Type Task Weighting ULO's
AssignmentIndividual 40 - 60% 1,2,3,4 
ExaminationIndividual 40 - 60% 1,2,3,4 

Content

  • Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct
  • Ethics and trust in the investment profession
  • Global Investment Performance Standards (GIPS)
  • The foreign exchange market
  • Exchange rate determination and purchasing power parity
  • Factors that influence the exchange rate
  • International financial technology platforms
  • Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Investing
  • Cryptocurrencies

Study resources

Reading materials

A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.