finance class

PMBA 6311Managerial Finance

Catalog description:

Course Text:

Analysis for Financial Management

10th Edition

VBID: 1260032736

Author: Robert Higgins

Study Objectives/Expectations: The approach in this course is based on textbook study, discussion, and research paper and scholarly information exchange among course members.

Our on-line class will be taught in a somewhat informal lecture and discussion format. Open-ended discussion is highly encouraged and students are invited to ask questions or raise points for discussion at any time. All of our discussion will be done through the website to maintain the integrity of the learning process.

This course is eight weeks long. You will do most of your work off-line, but you will be expected to access the website at least four out of the seven days per week (4/7) to submit work. This participation is critical to your successful completion of this class and will have a major bearing on your final grade.

Professionalism: Your assignments reflect your abilities to articulate your thoughts in writing. Be mindful of your spelling, presentation, and organizational skills when writing.

Assessments:

1. Discussions/Problems (8): 10 points/week = 80 points (Weeks 1-8)

2. Study assignments: 15 points each = 45 points (Week 2, 4, 6)

3. Research paper = 40 points (Week 7)

4. Topic proposal for research paper = 10 points (Week 2)

5. Draft research paper = 25 points (Week 5)

Total points available in the course: 200 points

I. Discussions: Discussion Questions/Problems will be posted at the beginning of each week. If you don't see the discussion topics under the Discussion section of the course website (once the course has started), please make sure that you have your website settings adjusted to "View: all" (right hand upper corner of the Discussion section). This way you ought to be able to see and access all the weekly discussion topics. Each week contains a minimum of 2 discussion questions.

Each student will be expected to research, read, and share facts or their opinions – depending on the nature of the questions. You must submit your first discussion contribution by Wednesday of the given week. You should then reply to someone else later in the week. Discussion does not only mean answering the question. It means taking part in a give and take process to learn different points of view. If you do all of your discussion contribution at the end of the week you will only get half of the possible points.

Your discussion remarks reflect your abilities to articulate your thoughts in writing. Be mindful of your spelling, presentation, and organizational skills when writing. This is taught as a business class and your work will be graded using that standard. Your discussion and assignments should be done as if they were given to your boss for review.

Remember, "talking" on-line is not the same as talking on the telephone or talking in person. We normally use verbal expression, intonation, vision, and body language to get the message across when face-to-face. Make sure to respect the feelings of others at all times. That is not to say you cannot disagree and express your opinions/feelings. Overall, I ask for 3 meaningful comments each week per discussion question. You may choose the discussion questions you like to participate in. Having said that, you are of course free to discuss as much as you like online. That was merely the minimum requirement in order to pass this course. The first comment should be in response to the question(s) I pose for the week. The second one should be either to a fellow classmate’s comments in the discussion or an additional original comment of your own. With this method we can get a very good dialogue for the week. I will keep track of your discussion participation, your follow-up to other comments and the insightfulness you use in the discussion. Remember, the first posting is due by Wednesday of a given week.

II. Study Assignments: Weeks 2, 4, 6

Locate and read a recent (within the last 10 years) article in the scholarly journal of your choice. APA style required. Approximately 2-3 pages in length, excluding ancillary pages. Further information is provided in the Assignments section.

III. Research paper

You will write a research paper based on one of the topics covered in the class textbook. This paper will identify and analyze key concepts and ideas of the subject demonstrate your ability to analyze the various positions of available literature thereby creating a balanced manuscript, as well as the ability to analyze the appropriateness of selected literature. APA style required. Approximately 8-10 pages in length, excluding ancillary pages. Further information is provided in the Assignments section.

Lessons: At the beginning of each week, there will be a short commentary posted in the Weekly Lessons section. It will approach the subjects we will be studying for the week.

Grading Scale

A 90 –100

B 80-89

C 70-79

F 69 and Below

“A” indicates a superior grasp of the subject matter of the course, initiative and originality in assessing problems, and ability to relate knowledge to new situations.

“B” indicates satisfactory performance in control of the subject matter and ability to apply principles with intelligence.

“C” indicates less than satisfactory performance, and may disqualify the student for further study.

There is no “D” grade at the graduate level.

“F” indicates failure in the course or withdrawal without following proper procedures.

“IP” indicates that the student’s achievement in the course has been satisfactory, but certain prescribed work is incomplete or the student was unable to take the final examination. A student needing an IP grade must complete an IP form and have that form entered into his/her file held by the Program Advisor. A student’s registration will be blocked if he or she has six or more credit hours of graduate classes with a grade of IP. Upon satisfactory completion of requirements specified in the IP Completion Form, the student will receive the grade merited by the quality of his or her performance. It is the student’s responsibility to complete all requirements for the removal of the “IP” within one year or sooner as specified by the instructor.

“W” indicates withdrawal within the period specified on the semester calendar.

Once grades are recorded, grades other than IP cannot be changed, except in the case of instructor error. In no case may a grade other than IP be changed without the permission of the school/college Dean. Additional work performed by a student may not be used to raise a grade that has been recorded by the Registrar. If course work has not been completed within one year, the IP grade will be turned to a grade of F. Grades are presumed to be correct when entered on the student’s record. Any question regarding the accuracy of these grades must be raised within one calendar year. Grades are not subject to challenge after one year and will not be changed.

Course Outline