Leader(s): Mr John Gerrand

Offered

Clayton First semester 2009 (Day)
Clayton Second semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

Topics covered include the accounting equation, general purpose financial reports, cash and accrual accounting, adjustments, financial statement analysis, interpreting information for managers to use in planning, decision making and control, financial mathematics, capital budgeting and investments.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• describe the elements of financial reports, apply double entry recording and prepare basic financial reports
• analyse and interpret financial reports and explain their use for decision making
• interpret information (financial and non-financial) for managers to use in planning, decision making and control
• use net present value to make capital budgeting and investment decisions
• apply critical thinking, problem solving and presentation skills to individual and/or group activities dealing with introductory accounting and finance principles.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 40%
Examination (3 hours): 60%

Contact hours

Two 1-hour lectures and one 1.5-hour tutorial

Prohibitions

AFC0121, AFC1022, AFF1000, AFF1110, AFW1000, AFW1001

Offered

Clayton First semester 2009 (Day)
Clayton Second semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

This unit will provide a conceptual framework for accounting; the definition and recognition criteria for assets, liabilities, equity, income and expenses (including leases, inventory valuation, non-current assets, depreciation and impairment); the form and content of financial reports for partnerships and companies; and evaluate alternative measurement systems (historical cost, modified historical cost and fair value accounting).

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• apply the double-entry recording process to a range of transactions and balance-day

• describe the definitions and recognition criteria for assets, liabilities, equity, income and expenses
• evaluate and compare alternative measurement systems
• apply critical thinking, problem solving and presentation skills to individual and /or group activities dealing with financial accounting.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 35%
Examination (3 hours): 65%

Contact hours

Two 1-hour lectures and one 1.5-hour tutorial

Prerequisites

One of AFC1000, AFC1021 or AFC1022

Prohibitions

AFF1121, AFW1002

Leader(s): Dr Andrew Sanford

Offered

Clayton First semester 2009 (Day)
Clayton Second semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

The unit provides a broad overview of the functioning of a developed financial system. Coverage includes retail and wholesale payments systems; the roles of deposit-taking institutions; insurance corporations and funds management within the financial system; and their sources and application of funds. The role and function of the main financial markets including the money market, bond market, share market, foreign exchange market and derivatives market. The role and responsibilities of the central bank and prudential supervisor.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• describe the institutions, instruments and markets that comprise a developed financial system
• apply the concepts and techniques used by financial professionals in the debt, equity, foreign exchange and derivative markets
• define the specialist terms and language of finance
• apply the knowledge of financial mathematics to the pricing and valuation of equity, debt and derivative instruments
• apply critical thinking, problem solving and presentation skills to individual and/or group activities dealing with introductory finance.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 30%
Examination (3 hours): 70%

Contact hours

Two 1-hour lectures and one 1-hour tutorial

Prohibitions

AFF1300, AFW1300, AFC1100, AFC2100

Offered

Not offered in 2009

Synopsis

Over the 12 week period of full-time employment, students will be required to complete one or more specified projects. The projects will be determined by the course co-ordinator in consultation with the sponsor and the student undergoing the industry-based learning.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• work effectively and efficiently, both as an individual and as a team member, in a business
• apply critical thinking, problem solving and presentation skills through a project report.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 100%

Contact hours

12 weeks full-time employment

Prerequisites

Enrolment in Bachelor of Accounting and completion of first year

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in Bachelor of Accounting

Offered

Clayton Second semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

Over the 14 weeks period of full-time employment students will be required to complete one or more specified projects. The projects will be determined by the course co-ordinator in consultation with the sponsor and the student undergoing the industry-based learning.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• work effectively and efficiently, both as an individual and as a team member, in a business
• apply critical thinking, problem solving and presentation skills through a project report.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 100%

Contact hours

14 weeks full-time employment

Prerequisites

Enrolment in Bachelor of Accounting and completion of first semester, second year

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in Bachelor of Accounting

Offered

Clayton First semester 2009 (Day)
Clayton Second semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

Topics include financial reporting requirements and the reporting entity; accounting for interests in joint ventures; accounting for extractive industries; the nature of company groups; the preparation of consolidated financial reports; foreign currency translation; equity accounting; related party transactions; and segment reporting.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• prepare group financial reports
• demonstrate accounting knowledge in areas such as equity accounting, foreign currency translation, related party transactions, joint arrangements and segment reporting
• apply critical thinking, problem solving and presentation skills to individual and /or group activities dealing with financial reporting.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 40%
Examination (3 hours): 60%

Contact hours

Three hours per week

Prerequisites

AFC1030

Prohibitions

AFF2491, AFW2491

Offered

Clayton First semester 2009 (Day)
Clayton Second semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

This is the introductory management accounting unit that focuses on the types of cost information that can be produced to assist managers and other employees within organisations in planning and control, and in decision making. The topics include the following: costs and cost behaviour, product costing (including activity-based costing), cost allocation techniques, cost-volume-profit analysis, and the use of cost information for management decisions.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• describe cost behaviour under different assumptions
• compare systems designed to provide relevant and timely information to managers for resource management and allocation decisions
• apply conventional and contemporary cost management techniques used in manufacturing and service industries
• explain the benefits and limitations of contemporary cost management techniques
• apply critical thinking, problem solving and presentation skills to individual and/or group activities dealing with cost information for decision making.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 40%
Examination (3 hours): 60%

Prerequisites

AFC1030

Prohibitions

AFC2130, AFF2391, AFW2020

Offered

Clayton First semester 2009 (Day)
Clayton Second semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

The impact of financing and investment decisions on business enterprises, with particular focus on public companies. Topics include the goals of the firm and investors, investment evaluation models, valuation of equity and debt instruments, fixed interest securities, sources and types of available finance, issues in risk and return, portfolio theory, asset pricing models, issues in capital structure and dividend policy, and the efficiency of capital markets.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• evaluate investment options and value equity and debt instruments
• explain portfolio theory and show how the theory can be extended to price risky assets
• estimate the appropriate cost of capital for investment appraisal purposes
• analyse issues determining capital structure and dividend policy
• apply critical thinking, problem solving and presentation skills to individual and/or group activities dealing with corporate finance.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 25%
Examination (3 hours): 75%

Contact hours

Two 1-hour lectures and one 1-hour tutorial per week

Prohibitions

AFF2631, AFW2631, AFW3044

Offered

Clayton First semester 2009 (Day)
Clayton Second semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

Topics include the Australian managed funds industry, fund managers, their products and prices, investor behaviour in theory and in practice, portfolio theory and practice, characteristics and comparative performance of major asset classes with major emphasis on shares, economic weighting determinants, impact of other markets, asset allocation and stock selection, risk management for portfolios and securities, survey of 'styles' of prominent Australian fund managers.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• analyse and select investments from various asset classes with particular emphasis on equities
• examine the nature of different asset classes, the ways in which professional managers incorporate and manage asset classes into balanced or specialist funds
• describe skills and techniques used by professionals who are involved in investments, funds management, financial planning, superannuation, and wealth creation
• understand the importance of professional investment in wealth creation
• apply critical thinking, problem solving and presentation skills to individual and/or group activities dealing with equities and investment analysis.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 20%
Examination (3 hours): 80%

Contact hours

Two 1-hour lectures and one 1-hour tutorial per week

Prerequisites

One of AFC2000, AFC2140, AFC1110 (pre 2009) and AFC2100 (pre 2009)

Offered

Clayton Second semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

Topics covered in this unit include: an introduction to mathematics of finance, rates of interest, rates of discount, present and accumulated value of cash flows under fixed and variable rates of interest, equation of value, applications to debt and retirement income stream markets, in particular the Australian annuity, short-term money market and capital markets; factors affecting accumulation under the Superannuation Guarantee Scheme; economic factors affecting the yield curve, zero coupon bonds, zero coupon bond yield curve, pricing bonds, bond yields, callable bonds, effect of tax on yield, annuity bonds, hybrids, CGB futures and options on futures, interest rate risk management by immunisation, stochastic models for cash flows and stochastic rates of interest, calculation of moments of present values and accumulations, arbitrage-free asset pricing, hedging, optimal conversion of lump sum to a retirement income stream.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• describe conventions used in short term money and capital markets, and explain the implications for pricing of products in these markets
• apply quantitative skills required for pricing and risk management associated with money, capital and retirement income stream markets
• apply critical thinking, problem solving and presentation skills to individual and/or group activities dealing with debt markets and fixed income securities.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 20%
Examination (3 hours): 80%

Contact hours

Three hours per week

Prerequisites

AFC2000, AFC1100 (pre 2009) or AFC2100 (pre 2009)

Offered

Clayton Second semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

The objective of this unit is two-fold. First, the unit provides students with a broad introduction to accounting information systems and the role technology plays in accounting. The focus will be on an introduction to: enterprise systems; database
management; documentation methods; internal controls; and the core business processes found in organisations. Second, the unit focuses on corporate modelling theory; models as decision support tools; types and uses of models; benefits and limitations of models; effective spreadsheet design; auditing spreadsheet models and development of various models using an industry standard spreadsheet.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• examine the role of accounting information systems in analysing and providing decision support to managers
• explain the design of accounting information systems and financial models
• develop financial models to assist in decision making
• apply critical thinking, problem solving and presentation skills to individual and/or group activities dealing with accounting information systems.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 30%
Examination (3 hours) 70%

Contact hours

One 2-hour lecture and one 1-hour tutorial

Prerequisites

Students must have passed one of the following units: AFC1000, AFC1021 or AFC1022

Prohibitions

AFF2851, AFW2851, BUS1060, BUS3030

Offered

Clayton Summer semester A 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

Over the 12 weeks period of full-time employment students will be required to complete one or more specified projects. The projects will be determined by the course co-ordinator in consultation with the sponsor and the student undergoing the industry-based learning.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• work effectively and efficiently, both as an individual and as a team member, in a business
• apply critical thinking, problem solving and presentation skills through a project report.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 100%

Contact hours

12 weeks full-time employment

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in Bachelor of Accounting

Offered

Clayton First semester 2009 (Day)
Clayton Second semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

Topics include accounting standard-setting arrangements; the conceptual framework for financial reporting; the form and content of financial statements; income tax allocation; intangibles; off-balance sheet financing including leasing; superannuation plans; insurance; employee benefits; financial instruments and emerging issues in financial reporting.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• explain the institutional framework for the regulation of financial reporting in Australia
• apply accounting standards and the framework in the preparation and presentation of financial statements
• demonstrate advanced accounting knowledge in areas such as income tax, leasing, intangibles and financial instruments
• demonstrate an understanding of theories that explain accounting policy choice and usefulness of accounting information
• apply critical thinking and problem solving skills to individual and /or group activities dealing with advanced financial accounting.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 30%
Examination (3 hours): 70%

Contact hours

Two 1-hour lectures and one 1-hour tutorial per week

Prerequisites

AFC2120

Prohibitions

AFF3491, AFW3040, AFW3050

Offered

Clayton First semester 2009 (Day)
Clayton Second semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

The unit aims to provide an in-depth understanding of how performance management systems can be designed to support the strategy of an organisation. It also covers the provision and use of management accounting information for strategy implementation, management planning, and control in organisations. Issues related to the design, implementation and use of contemporary performance management systems and techniques are covered, as are behavioural aspects of management accounting systems.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• apply standard costing, budgeting and other selected management accounting techniques that enable managers to measure and control performance
• analyse management accounting information in a wide range of decision contexts in both service and manufacturing industries
• explain the behavioural implications of performance measurement systems
• apply critical thinking, problem solving and presentation skills to individual and/or group activities dealing with performance measurement and control.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 40%
Examination (3 hours): 60%

Prerequisites

AFC2131

Prohibitions

AFC2130, AFF3431, AFW3021

Offered

Clayton First semester 2009 (Day)
Clayton Second semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

This unit extends studies in financial economics introduced in AFC2140. Topics include risk management, asset pricing, leasing, real options, capital structure, mergers, acquisitions and takeovers, corporate management and equity financing.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• evaluate investment and financing decisions;
• apply analytical techniques to a variety of problems in domestic corporate financial management
• describe the institutional environment in which financial decisions are made including identifying the sources of financial risk and their relevance in financial management
• critically evaluate finance theories, concepts, assumptions, limitations and arguments
• apply critical thinking, problem solving and presentation skills to individual and/or group activities dealing with advanced corporate finance.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 25%
Examination (3 hours): 75%

Contact hours

Two 1-hour lectures and one 1-hour tutorial per week

Prerequisites

AFC2140

Offered

Clayton Second semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

The provision and use of management accounting information for strategy implementation, management planning, and control in organisations. The unit aims to provide an in-depth understanding of how performance management systems can be designed to support the strategy of an organisation. Issues related to the design, implementation and use of contemporary performance management systems and techniques are covered, as are behavioural aspects of management accounting systems.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• explain how management accounting systems can be designed to support corporate, business and operational strategies
• critically evaluate strategic management accounting concepts, techniques, assumptions and arguments
• apply management accounting techniques to strategic business decisions
• describe the behavioural implications of performance measurement systems
• apply critical thinking, problem solving and presentation skills to individual and/or group activities dealing with strategic management accounting.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 40%
Examination (3 hours): 60%

Contact hours

One 2-hour lecture and one 1-hour tutorial per week

Prerequisites

AFC2130 or AFC2131

Prohibitions

AFC3130, AFF3511

Offered

Clayton Second semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

Topics include an overview of the audit function and assurance framework, and of different types of audit and assurance service; duties of the external auditor; the auditor's liability to third parties; detection and reporting of fraud; the audit process and techniques including planning, business risk assessment, tests of controls, substantive testing, reviewing internal control, gathering audit evidence, using analytical procedures, and audit sampling; the audit of computer information systems; audit reporting; internal auditing; performance auditing; and emerging issues.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• explain the role, limitations and demand for audits in modern corporate society including the auditor's professional, ethical and legal obligations
• explain the auditor's role in corporate governance with particular emphasis on the detection and reporting of fraud and error
• describe the assurance framework, planning process and evidence gathering procedures used by auditors to form an audit opinion
• apply critical thinking, problem solving and presentation skills to individual and/or group activities dealing with auditing and assurance.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 40%
Examination (3 hours): 60%

Contact hours

3 hours per week

Prerequisites

AFC2120

Prohibitions

AFF3631, AFW3041

Offered

Clayton First semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

Major issues involved in the financial management of banks and other deposit-taking financial institutions. Topics include the role and activities of depository financial institutions, performance measurement and evaluation; asset/liability management for liquidity risk, credit risk, interest rate risk; and regulation of depository institutions.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• distinguish the various sources of commercial and retail debt financing, and analyse how the current Australian banking system provides access to such funds
• identify, in the financial statements of financial institutions, the indicators of financial institutions' performance
• describe the regulatory constraints under which Australian authorised deposit-taking institutions operate
• describe appropriate procedures for appraising the credit risks inherent in bank loans, and for measuring and managing other key risks in banking such as interest rate risk
• apply critical thinking, problem solving and presentation skills to individual and/or group activities dealing with the management of financial intermediaries.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 30%
Examination (3 hours): 70%

Contact hours

Two 1-hour lectures and one 1-hour tutorial per week

Prerequisites

AFC2140

Prohibitions

AFF2401, AFW2401

Offered

Clayton Second semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

An understanding of the dynamic nature of financial reporting frameworks in different countries with an emphasis on the Asia-Pacific region and the influence of the International Accounting Standards Board. Major topics are: the influence of cultural and social values on reporting; comparison of the financial reporting systems and practices in such harmonisation and the IASB's role; and audit implications of international financial reporting.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• critically evaluate theories relating to the comparative study of financial reporting practices in diverse countries
• compare and contrast the main international financial reporting systems and practices, and critically evaluate the need for harmonisation
• identify and explain the major contemporary international financial reporting issues and analyse their implications for comparative national reporting practices; harmonisation initiatives, and the activities of the International Accounting Standards Board
• apply critical thinking, problem solving and presentation skills to individual and/or group activities dealing with comparative international financial reporting.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 30%
Examination (3 hours): 70%

Contact hours

Thirteen 2-hour lectures and twelve 1-hour tutorials

Prerequisites

AFC2120

Prohibitions

AFF3791

Offered

Clayton Second semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

Topics covered include analysis of published financial statements, application and use of financial ratios and forecasting techniques; cash flow-based share valuation, including discounted cash flow and free cash flow approaches to valuation; accounting-based share valuation including earnings multiples, residual income valuation models and economic value added; credit analysis and financial distress prediction, equity security analysis and mergers and takeovers, based on Australian and international case studies.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• access and extract financial information from published financial reports and databases
• calculate and interpret relevant financial ratios concerned with the profitability, financial structure and solvency of listed public companies
• apply and critically assess approaches to valuation including discounted cash flow and residual income methods
• apply valuation methods to contexts such as security valuation, mergers and acquisitions and credit analysis
• apply critical thinking, problem solving and presentation skills to individual and/or group activities dealing with financial analysis and valuation.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 50%
Examination (3 hours): 50%

Contact hours

One 2-hour lecture and one 1-hour tutorial per week

Prerequisites

AFC2140

Offered

Clayton Second semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

Topics include the international financial system, institutions and market practices; international finance theorems and their application; Euromarkets; international debt and equity raising; measurement of foreign exchange risk; managing foreign exchange exposure; foreign currency futures, options and swaps, international portfolio investment and capital budgeting and international trade finance.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• describe the nature and benefits of globalisation and international markets integration
• critically evaluate fundamental theories which underpin international finance;
• identify the implications of these theories when firms are engaged in international operations
• analyse the role and functioning of international financial markets
• apply critical thinking, problem solving and presentation skills to individual and/or group activities dealing with international finance.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 20%
Examination (3 hours): 80%

Contact hours

Two 1-hour lectures and one 1-hour tutorial per week

Prerequisites

AFC2140

Prohibitions

AFW2341

Offered

Clayton Second semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

Topics include institutional aspects of how financial derivatives markets operate, use of and factors affecting the price of options in equity, currency and interest rate markets, the pricing of and uses of futures, forward contracts and swaps, new financial derivative instruments in Australia.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• describe the characteristics of options, futures, and other derivatives
• identify factors that affect option prices
• apply option pricing models
• explain the operation of futures markets and the link between spot and futures prices
• analyse swaps, FRAs, caps, floors and collars in terms of their basic components for pricing purposes
• apply critical thinking, problem solving and presentation skills to individual and/or group activities dealing with derivative instruments.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 20%
Examination (3 hours): 80%

Contact hours

Two 1-hour lectures and one 1-hour tutorial per week

Prerequisites

AFC2140

Prohibitions

AFF3751

Offered

Clayton First semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

Topics covered include superannuation economics and demographics, industry structure and regulation, products available from fund managers, life offices and superannuation trusts, actuarial mathematics, the mortality table, factors affecting selection, endowments, assurances, single, joint and longest life annuities, application to comparative evaluation of commercial retirement products, financial planners and the financial planning function, accreditation, responsibilities and duties, determination of client objectives and risk profiles, and strategies for superannuation and social security.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• describe financial planning activities, and legal compliance requirements for financial planners
• demonstrate specialist skills required for interaction with financial planning clients
• demonstrate generic knowledge of the Australian and global investment environments, together with specialist knowledge in the areas of superannuation, financial planning, securities and managed investments
• prepare financial plans for clients with different financial objectives
• apply critical thinking, problem solving and presentation skills to individual and/or group activities dealing with pension and financial planning.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 30%
Examination (3 hours): 70%

Contact hours

3 hours per week

Prerequisites

AFC2240

Prohibitions

AFF3111

Offered

Clayton First semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

Topics include the development and application of financial spreadsheets, Excel and Visual Basic programming in financial modelling, modelling company financial statements, fixed income securities analysis, asset allocation and portfolio analysis, optimization using Solver, technical analysis of financial markets, Interest rate models, option pricing models, numerical methods and risk management models.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• apply knowledge and skills in the use of Excel and Visual Basic
• develop skills in the design and implementation of efficient and robust financial models such as option pricing, portfolio and interest rate models
• apply critical thinking, problem solving and presentation skills to individual and/or group activities dealing with advanced modelling in finance.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 50%
Examination (3 hours): 50%

Contact hours

Three hours per week

Prerequisites

One of the following units: AFC2140, AFC2240, AFC2340

Leader(s): Associate Professor Peter Carey

Offered

Caulfield First semester 2009 (Day)
Caulfield First semester 2009 (Evening)
Caulfield Second semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

Topics covered include the accounting equation, general purpose financial reports, cash and accrual accounting, adjustments, financial statement analysis, interpreting information for managers to use in planning, decision making and control, financial mathematics, capital budgeting and investments.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• describe the elements of financial reports, apply double entry recording and prepare basic financial reports
• analyse and interpret financial reports and explain their use for decision making
• interpret information (financial and non-financial) for managers to use in planning, decision making and control
• use net present value to make capital budgeting and investment decisions
• apply critical thinking, problem solving and presentation skills to individual and/or group activities dealing with introductory accounting and finance principles.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 40%
Examination (3 hours): 60%

Contact hours

One 2-hour lecture and one 1-hour tutorial per week

Prohibitions

AFC1000, AFC1021, AFC1022, AFF1110, AFW1000, AFW1001

Offered

Caulfield First semester 2009 (Day)
Caulfield Second semester 2009 (Day)
Caulfield Second semester 2009 (Evening)

Synopsis

This unit is concerned with developing a conceptual and practical accounting framework for financial reporting through the process of collecting, analysing, classifying, measuring, recording, presenting and interpreting financial information and developing financial reports for service and trading entities from both a manual and a computer-based system.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• explain and discuss generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), the accounting conceptual framework, and selected accounting standards
• prepare financial statements for sole traders, partnerships and corporate entities using traditional manual accounting procedures
• prepare computerised financial reports
• explain and evaluate internal controls that help to ensure the integrity of accounting systems
• apply critical thinking, problem solving and presentation skills to individual and/or group activities dealing with financial accounting.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 40%
Examination (3 hours): 60%

Contact hours

One 2-hour lecture and one 1-hour tutorial per week

Prerequisites

AFF1000 or AFF1110

Prohibitions

AFC1030, AFW1002

Offered

Caulfield First semester 2009 (Day)
Caulfield First semester 2009 (Evening)
Caulfield Second semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

On completion of this unit students should demonstrate an understanding of a financial system, its operation and component parts; yield curve analysis, the term structure of interest rates, and exchange rate interaction; sources and types of business finance, short, medium and long term, domestic and overseas, and associate pricing formulae; the structure and operation of Australian financial institutions and markets; the major types of risk and the derivative products available to manage financial risk; the structure, functions and role of prudential supervision in the financial markets.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• describe the structure and operation of financial institutions and markets in Australia;
• evaluate short and medium to longer term financial instruments
• explain government monetary policy and the term structure of interest rates
• describe the derivative products available to manage financial risk
• apply critical thinking, problem solving and presentation skills to individual and/or group activities dealing with money and capital markets.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 30%
Examination (3 hours): 70%

Contact hours

3 hours per week

Prohibitions

AFC2000, AFC1100 (pre 2009), AFC2100 (pre 2009), AFW1300

Offered

Caulfield First semester 2009 (Day)
Caulfield First semester 2009 (Evening)
Caulfield Second semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

This is the introductory management accounting unit that focuses on the types of cost information that can be produced to assist managers and other employees within organisations in planning and control, and in decision making. The topics include the following: costs and cost behaviour, product costing (including activity-based costing), cost allocation techniques, cost-volume-profit analysis, and the use of cost information for management decisions.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• describe cost behaviour under different assumptions
• compare systems designed to provide relevant and timely information to managers for resource management and allocation decisions
• apply conventional and contemporary cost management techniques used in manufacturing and service industries
• explain the benefits and limitations of contemporary cost management techniques
• apply critical thinking, problem solving and presentation skills to individual and/or group activities dealing with cost information for decision making.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 50%
Examination (3 hours): 50%

Contact hours

3 hours per week

Prerequisites

AFF1121

Prohibitions

AFC2130, AFC2131, AFW2020

Offered

Caulfield First semester 2009 (Day)
Caulfield First semester 2009 (Off-campus)
Caulfield Second semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

An overview of commercial banking and an introduction to the concepts and issues involved in the decision-making processes of bank management. Topics include the commercial banking environment; banking risks and capital adequacy; liquidity management; lending principles and policies; investment management.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• identify the main risks faced by banks and assess alternative approaches to measurement and management of these risks
• assess different aspects of bank performance
• explain the prudential framework under which Australian banks operate
• apply critical thinking, problem solving and presentation skills to individual and/or group activities dealing with commercial banking and finance.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 30%
Examination (3 hours): 70%

Contact hours

3 hours per week

Prerequisites

AFF1300

Co-requisites

Only students in course code 0391 can undertake this unit in DE mode

Prohibitions

AFC3170, AFW2401

Offered

Caulfield First semester 2009 (Day)
Caulfield Second semester 2009 (Day)
Caulfield Second semester 2009 (Evening)

Synopsis

The current Australian reporting and regulatory framework applicable to reporting entities including an analysis of significant accounting standards, professional reporting requirements and legal and stock exchange requirements. Accounting for corporate groups and issues in financial reporting are also explored.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• explain the content of the reports of publicly listed companies, and regulations of the various regulatory bodies
• critically examine current issues and disclosure requirements in financial reporting
• prepare financial reports for single and consolidated entities
• apply critical thinking, problem solving and presentation skills to individual and/or group activities dealing with company reporting.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 20%
Examination (3 hours): 80%

Contact hours

3 hours per week

Prerequisites

AFF1121

Prohibitions

AFC2120, AFW2491

Offered

Caulfield First semester 2009 (Day)
Caulfield First semester 2009 (Evening)
Caulfield Second semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

Time value of money, theory of valuation, capital budgeting, portfolio theory and the capital asset pricing model, dividend policy, capital structure and the efficient market hypothesis.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• apply the concept of the time value of money and other project evaluation techniques
• explain and apply portfolio theory and the capital asset pricing model
• measure a firm's cost of capital
• describe dividend policy and its relevance to the value of a firm
• apply critical thinking, problem solving and presentation skills to individual and/or group activities dealing with financial management.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 20%
Examination (3 hours): 80%

Contact hours

3 hours per week

Prerequisites

AFF1000 or AFF1110 (pre 2009)

Prohibitions

AFC2140, AFW2631, AFW3044

Offered

Caulfield First semester 2009 (Day)
Caulfield Second semester 2009 (Evening)

Synopsis

An overview of the role of equity markets. Topics cover types of equity instruments; the role of equity finance and the stockbroker; trading conventions and listing requirements of the ASX; the structure and operation of major overseas stock exchanges; an introduction to market micro structure theory; the enterprise market; other markets of the ASX; current issues related to Australia's equity markets.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• explain the importance of the equity market for the economy and for a corporation
• describe the operating structure of different exchanges around the world
• undertake a trading simulation exercise and complete a stock report
• apply critical thinking, problem solving and presentation skills to individual and/or group activities dealing with equity markets.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 30%
Examination (3 hours): 70%

Contact hours

3 hours per week

Prerequisites

AFF1300, ETX1100

Offered

Caulfield First semester 2009 (Day)
Caulfield First semester 2009 (Evening)
Caulfield Second semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

The objective of this unit is two-fold. First, the unit provides students with a broad introduction to accounting information systems and the role technology plays in accounting. The focus will be on an introduction to: enterprise systems; database management; documentation methods; internal controls; and the core business processes found in organisations. Second, the unit focuses on corporate modelling theory; models as decision support tools; types and uses of models; benefits and limitations of models; effective spreadsheet design; auditing spreadsheet models and development of various models using an industry standard spreadsheet.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• examine the role of accounting information systems in analysing and providing decision support to managers
• explain the design of accounting information systems and financial models
• develop financial models to assist in decision making
• apply critical thinking, problem solving and presentation skills to individual and/or group activities dealing with accounting information systems.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 30% Examination: (3 hours) 70%

Contact hours

3 hours per week

Prerequisites

AFF1000 or AFF1110 (pre 2009)

Prohibitions

AFC2160, AFC2851, AFF2051, AFW2051, AFW2851, BUS1060, BUS3030

Offered

Caulfield First semester 2009 (Evening)

Synopsis

Physical risk includes diverse threats such as accidents, projects not achieving their objectives and sabotage. The unit describes these risks, the large role they play in business and society and how they can be assessed and controlled. The methods of defining systems that are subject to physical risks and identifying the various sequences of events which might lead to undesirable consequences are described. Physical risk treatment is achieved by reducing the frequency of initiating events, developing reliable means of protection and mitigating the consequences. The mathematical methods of determining the frequency of various event sequences and their consequences are introduced.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• define physical risk and its treatment
• explain the risk treatment requirements needed by business
• compare and contrast the risk management process with existing approaches to governance, compliance and control
• demonstrate the mathematical methods for determining the frequency of various event sequences and their consequences
• apply critical thinking, problem solving and presentation skills to individual and/or group activities dealing with physical risk treatment.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 30%
Examination (3 hours): 70%

Contact hours

One 2-hour lecture and one 1-hour practice class/computer class/seminar

Prerequisites

Enrolment in the Bachelor of Business (Risk Management)

Prohibitions

IND2903

Offered

Caulfield First semester 2009 (Day)
Caulfield Second semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

This unit provides an introduction to financial planning. Coverage includes: the legislative and economic environment; the role of financial service advisers; licensing and disclosure; investment strategies, products, and related taxation implications, with particular reference to securities and managed investments; social security; superannuation, pensions and other retirement issues; estate planning; and the financial planning process. This unit meets Australian Securities and Investments Commission registration requirements for Tier 1 in respect of: specific knowledge in financial planning, securities, managed investments and superannuation; generic knowledge; and skills.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• describe financial planning activities and legal compliance requirements for financial planners
• demonstrate specialist skills required for interaction with financial planning clients
• demonstrate generic knowledge of the Australian and global investment environments, together with specialist knowledge in the areas of superannuation, financial planning, securities and managed investments
• prepare financial plans for clients with different financial objectives
• apply critical thinking, problem solving and presentation skills to individual and/or group activities dealing with personal financial planning.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 30%
Examination (3 hours): 70%

Contact hours

3 hours per week

Prerequisites

AFF2631

Prohibitions

AFC3440

Offered

Caulfield First semester 2009 (Day)
Caulfield Second semester 2009 (Evening)

Synopsis

On completion of this unit students should be able to demonstrate an understanding of the conceptual foundations of modern portfolio theory, using pricing models and other techniques in the valuation of securities; appreciate the effect of market efficiency on the valuation process; measure portfolio risk and determine performance benchmarks; and be able to take an applied perspective on investment management and analysis.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• critically evaluate financial market information to measure risk and return
• describe modern portfolio theory
• apply asset pricing models and valuation techniques to the valuation of assets
• apply critical thinking, problem solving and presentation skills to individual and/or group activities dealing with investments and portfolio management.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 30%
Examination (3 hours): 70%

Contact hours

3 hours per week

Prerequisites

Students must have passed one of the following units: AFF2631, AFW2631 or AFW3044

Prohibitions

AFW3046, AFW3121

Offered

Caulfield First semester 2009 (Day)
Caulfield Second semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

This unit will combine classroom teaching and direct observance experience of the money markets covering background to the money markets, participants, interest rate and exchange rate determination, instruments traded in the money and currency markets, strategies and money and currency market trading operations. The simulated treasury dealing room will be used extensively in this course.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• analyse dealing practices and conventions in the foreign exchange and cash markets
• co-ordinate the front office and back office functions of a simulated bank's treasury dealing room
• account and settle transactions completed in the treasury dealing room
• develop, implement, analyse and manage dealing strategies in the treasury dealing room
• apply critical thinking, problem solving and presentation skills to individual and/or group activities dealing with money market operations.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 100%

Contact hours

4 hours per week

Co-requisites

AFF3651

Offered

Caulfield First semester 2009 (Day)
Caulfield First semester 2009 (Off-campus)
Caulfield Second semester 2009 (Evening)

Synopsis

The international monetary system, the international parity conditions, the foreign exchange market, international financing strategies and techniques, the Euromarkets, and multinational banking.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• explain the parity principles and the concept of arbitrage in international financial markets
• explain how currency derivative contracts such as forwards, futures, options and swaps can be used to hedge in the foreign exchange markets
• apply critical thinking, problem solving and presentation skills to individual and/or group activities dealing with international banking and finance.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 40%
Examination (3 hours): 60%

Contact hours

3 hours per week

Prerequisites

AFF2401 or AFW2401

Prohibitions

AFW3331, AFX3871

Offered

Caulfield Second semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

Introduction to and defining investment banking; development of investment/merchant banking in Australia and overseas; specialised financial services in project finance, structured finance and infrastructure finance; venture capital; initial public offering activities; financial advisory work including mergers and acquisitions; investment funds management activities; privatisation and corporatisation; future direction of investment banking.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• describe the key operations of investment banks
• apply valuation models to companies
• explain regulations related to equity issues, mergers and acquisitions and share buybacks
• apply critical thinking, problem solving and presentation skills to individual and/or group activities dealing with investment banking.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 30%
Examination (3 hours): 70%

Contact hours

3 hours per week

Prerequisites

AFF2401 and AFF2631

Offered

Caulfield First semester 2009 (Day)
Caulfield Second semester 2009 (Day)
Caulfield Second semester 2009 (Evening)

Synopsis

This unit focuses on the provision and use of management accounting information for management planning and control in organisations. Topics include budgeting, standard costing and variance analysis and contemporary approaches to managing costs, time, quality, suppliers, customers, and value.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• apply standard costing, budgeting and other selected management accounting techniques that enable managers to measure and control performance
• analyse management accounting information in a wide range of decision contexts in both service and manufacturing industries
• explain the behavioural implications of performance measurement systems
• apply critical thinking and, problem solving skills to individual and /or group activities dealing with performance measurement and control issues.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 20%
Examination (3 hours): 80%

Contact hours

3 hours per week

Prerequisites

AFF2391

Prohibitions

AFC3131 and AFW3021

Offered

Caulfield First semester 2009 (Day)
Caulfield First semester 2009 (Evening)
Caulfield Second semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

The unit is a blend of advanced and controversial practical accounting issues and underlying theories that support prescribed accounting treatments of these issues. Attention is concentrated on the interaction between the accounting profession and relevant segments of the society, including industry, capital markets, government and other user groups.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• critically assess standard setting procedures and the theories of regulation
• discuss theories to explain accounting policy choices and the relevance of accounting numbers to capital markets
• explain the definition and recognition criteria for elements of financial reports and issues associated with their application
• examine contemporary financial accounting issues including financial instruments and intangibles
• apply critical thinking, problem solving and presentation skills to individual and/or group activities dealing with advanced financial reporting issues.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 40%
Examination (3 hours): 60%

Contact hours

3 hours per week

Prerequisites

AFF2491

Prohibitions

AFC3120, AFW3040, AFW3050

Offered

Caulfield Second semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

Concepts and techniques of business strategy formulation, and how management accounting information systems act as a corporate control system providing information for strategic decisions.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• explain how management accounting systems can be designed to support corporate, business and operational strategies
• critically evaluate strategic management accounting concepts, techniques, assumptions, and arguments
• apply management accounting techniques to strategic business decisions
• describe the behavioural implications of performance measurement systems
• apply critical thinking, problem solving and presentation skills to individual and/or group activities dealing with strategic management accounting issues.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 30%
Examination (3 hours): 70%

Contact hours

3 hours per week

Prerequisites

AFF2391

Prohibitions

AFC3141

Offered

Caulfield First semester 2009 (Day)
Caulfield First semester 2009 (Evening)
Caulfield Second semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

Nature and objectives of auditing, auditing standards, auditors' responsibilities, professional ethics and auditor independence, audit objectives, planning the audit, analytical review procedures, understanding the internal control structure and assessing control risk and detection risk, preliminary audit strategies and design of substantive tests, auditing in a CIS environment, auditing the transaction cycles and performing substantive procedures, completing the audit and post audit responsibilities, audit reporting, other reports and services.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• explain the role, limitations and demand for audits in modern corporate society including the auditor's professional, ethical and legal obligations
• explain the auditor's role in corporate governance with particular emphasis on the detection and reporting of fraud and error
• describe the assurance framework, planning process and evidence gathering procedures used by auditors to form an audit opinion
• apply critical thinking, problem solving and presentation skills to individual and/or group activities dealing with auditing and assurance.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 35%
Examination (3 hours): 65%.

Contact hours

3 hours per week

Prerequisites

AFF2491

Prohibitions

AFC3160, AFW3041

Offered

Caulfield First semester 2009 (Day)
Caulfield First semester 2009 (Off-campus)
Caulfield Second semester 2009 (Off-campus)
Caulfield Second semester 2009 (Evening)

Synopsis

The role of treasury, coordination and management of the treasury operation, quantitative and qualitative risk analysis, risk management process and hedging techniques, role and mechanics of derivative products, performance measurement and evaluation.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• explain the role of treasury operations in an international or a local bank
• describe how risk management processes work
• demonstrate the application of hedging techniques used in banks' treasury operations
• apply critical thinking, problem solving and presentation skills to individual and/or group activities dealing with treasury management.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 40%
Examination (3 hours): 60%

Contact hours

3 hours per week

Prerequisites

AFF2401 or AFW2401

Prohibitions

AFW3651

Offered

Caulfield First semester 2009 (Day)
Caulfield Second semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

This unit examines the institutional features of futures and options markets, the use of futures, options and other derivatives in arbitraging, trading and hedging, and pricing of these instruments.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• discuss the operations of derivative markets
• explain the use of the options and futures markets for hedging and trading purposes
• implement trading strategies and measure positions
• apply critical thinking, problem solving and presentation skills to individual and/or group activities dealing with futures and options markets.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 30%
Examination (3 hours): 70%

Contact hours

3 hours per week

Prerequisites

AFF2401

Offered

Not offered in 2009

Synopsis

Causes and effects of international differences in accounting, auditing and taxation rules and practices. The accounting and reporting needs and dilemmas of Australian companies operating overseas as well as of foreign multinationals operating in Australia. Accounting practices of the UK, USA, Europe, Japan and the so called Asian 'tiger' nations. Role of the IASB, the UN and the IOSCO.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• critically evaluate theories and relating to the comparative study of financial reporting practices in diverse countries
• compare and contrast the main international financial reporting systems and practices, and critically evaluate the need for harmonisation
• identify and explain the major contemporary international financial reporting issues and analyse their implications for comparative national reporting practices, harmonisation initiatives, and the activities of the International Accounting Standards Board
• apply critical thinking, problem solving and presentation skills to individual and/or group activities dealing with comparative international financial reporting.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 30%
Examination (3 hours): 70%

Contact hours

3 hours per week

Prerequisites

AFF2491

Prohibitions

AFC3220

Offered

Caulfield First semester 2009 (Day)
Caulfield Second semester 2009 (Off-campus)
Caulfield Second semester 2009 (Evening)

Synopsis

Lending environment; decision making and organisation of lending, lending policies and controls; behavioural aspects of decision making and decision makers; retail, commercial and corporate lending; business expansions; off balance sheet lending; loan management and problem loans.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• examine the major types of lending products and match these products to customer needs
• analyse the risk return characteristics and pricing of a loan application
• discuss the behavioural aspects associated with lending decisions
• apply statistical techniques used in decision making at the approval, monitoring and termination stages of lending
• apply critical thinking, problem solving and presentation skills to individual and /or group activities dealing with lending decisions.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 30%
Examination (3 hours): 70%

Contact hours

3 hours per week

Prerequisites

One of AFF2401 or AFW2401

Prohibitions

AFW3841

Offered

Caulfield First semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

Topics covered include contemporary issues in, and the technologies of, integrated information systems for business enterprises; accounting processes and process oriented business information systems; databases for accounting information systems including database theory, design and development where students will develop and implement a practical accounting database design; design and development of sophisticated financial management models using business analytics and the advanced features of a modern spreadsheet package.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• explain the relationship between accounting information systems and processes and enterprise systems
• apply database management concepts in the context of accounting systems
• use database and spreadsheet modelling software to produce, store and analyse information for business decision making
• analyse, communicate, and apply the model-building and model-solving concepts of management science in the context of accounting systems
• apply critical thinking, problem solving and presentation skills to individual and/or group activities dealing with advanced accounting information systems.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 100%

Contact hours

3 hours per week

Prerequisites

One of AFC2851, AFF2051, AFF2851, AFW2051 or AFW2851

Prohibitions

AFF3051

Leader(s): Dr Abdel Halabi

Offered

Berwick First semester 2009 (Day)
Berwick Second semester 2009 (Day)
Gippsland First semester 2009 (Day)
Gippsland First semester 2009 (Off-campus)
Gippsland Second semester 2009 (Day)
Gippsland Second semester 2009 (Off-campus)
Sunway First semester 2009 (Day)
Sunway Second semester 2009 (Day)
Sunway Summer semester A 2009 (Day)
Hong Kong First semester 2009 (Off-campus)
Singapore First semester 2009 (Off-campus)
Peninsula First semester 2009 (Day)
Peninsula Second semester 2009 (Day)
South Africa First semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

Topics covered include the accounting equation, general purpose financial reports, cash and accrual accounting, adjustments, financial statement analysis, interpreting information for managers to use in planning, decision making and control, financial mathematics, capital budgeting and investments.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• describe the elements of financial reports, apply double entry recording and prepare basic financial reports
• analyse and interpret financial reports and explain their use for decision making
• interpret information (financial and non-financial) for managers to use in planning, decision making and control
• use net present value to make capital budgeting and investment decisions
• apply critical thinking, problem solving and presentation skills to individual and/or group activities dealing with introductory accounting and finance principles.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 40%
Examination (3 hours): 60%

Contact hours

Two 1-hour lectures and one 1-hour tutorial

Prohibitions

AFC1000, AFC1021, AFC1022, AFF1000, AFF1110, AFW1001

Offered

Berwick First semester 2009 (Day)
Berwick Second semester 2009 (Day)
Gippsland First semester 2009 (Off-campus)
Gippsland Second semester 2009 (Day)
Gippsland Second semester 2009 (Off-campus)
Sunway First semester 2009 (Day)
Sunway Second semester 2009 (Day)
Sunway Summer semester A 2009 (Day)
Peninsula Second semester 2009 (Day)
South Africa Second semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

This unit will cover various aspects of financial accounting. A deeper understanding of accounting processes to cover adjusting entries and reconstructions will be presented. Issues relating to financial statement elements will be investigated with reference to both historical cost and fair value accounting. Accounting procedures for partnerships and companies will also be considered.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• develop accounting skills in recording inventory, balance-day adjustments, cash flows and through reconstruction from incomplete records
• apply the definition and recognition criteria to the elements as discussed in the AASB Framework, within the context of both historical cost and fair value accounting
• account for the contributions of owner's equity and the distribution of profit within partnerships and companies, both in terms of recording and reporting
• apply critical thinking, problem solving and presentation skills to individual and/or group activities dealing with financial accounting issues.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 30%
Examination (3 hours): 70%

Contact hours

Two 1-hour lectures and one 1-hour tutorial per week

Prerequisites

AFW1000 or AFW1001(pre 2009)

Prohibitions

AFC1030, AFF1121

Offered

Gippsland First semester 2009 (Day)
Gippsland First semester 2009 (Off-campus)

Synopsis

Topics include overview of business environment, accounting reports, capital investment analysis, financial decisions, sources of finance, management of working capital, tools of financial analysis, budgeting and performance measure.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• prepare basic financial reports for a small- to medium-size business
• analyse, communicate and present arguments based on accounting information
• critically assess the performance of a business through cost volume profit analysis, budgeting and performance evaluation
• apply critical thinking, problem solving and presentation skills to individual and/or group activities dealing with financial management.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 30%
Examination (3 hours): 70%

Contact hours

3 hours per week

Prohibitions

Not available to Bachelor of Business and Commerce students.

Offered

Berwick Second semester 2009 (Day)
Sunway First semester 2009 (Day)
Sunway Second semester 2009 (Day)
Peninsula First semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

On completion of this unit students should demonstrate an understanding of a financial system, its operation and component parts; yield curve analysis, the term structure of interest rates, and exchange rate interaction; sources and types of business finance, short, medium and long term, domestic and overseas, and associate pricing formulae; the structure and operation of Australian financial institutions and markets; the major types of risk and the derivative products available to manage financial risk; the structure, functions and role of prudential supervision in the financial markets.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• describe the structure and operation of financial institutions and markets in Australia
• evaluate short and medium to longer term financial instruments
• explain government monetary policy and the term structure of interest rates
• describe the derivative products available to manage financial risk
• apply critical thinking, problem solving and presentation skills to individual and/or group activities dealing with money and capital markets.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 30%
Examination (3 hours): 70%

Contact hours

3 hours per week

Prohibitions

AFC2000, AFC1100 (pre 2009), AFC2100 (pre 2009), AFF1300

Offered

Sunway First semester 2009 (Day)
Sunway Second semester 2009 (Day)
Sunway Summer semester A 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

Topics covered include: Shariah and rationale for Islamic banking; history of Islamic banking; deposit, financing and other banking facilities; Islamic financial markets; Islamic finance in selected countries; and contemporary issues.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• describe the need, structure and operations of Islamic banking and finance
• explain the concept of shariah, its sources and applicability to Islamic banking and finance
• identify the types of Islamic banking facilities
• apply critical thinking, problem solving and presentation skills to individual and/or group activities dealing with Islamic banking and finance.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 30%+ Examination (3 hours): 70%

Contact hours

3 hours per week

Offered

Berwick First semester 2009 (Day)
Gippsland First semester 2009 (Day)
Gippsland First semester 2009 (Off-campus)
Gippsland Second semester 2009 (Off-campus)
Sunway First semester 2009 (Day)
Sunway Second semester 2009 (Day)
Singapore First semester 2009 (Off-campus)
Peninsula First semester 2009 (Day)
South Africa First semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

Introduction to management accounting. Topics include: basic terms and concepts, classification and behaviour of costs, recording product cost transactions for manufacturing firms, joint and by-product spoilage and waste, apportioning joint costs for multiple products, activity-based costing and information for management decisions.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• describe cost behaviour under different assumptions
• compare systems designed to provide relevant and timely information to managers for resource management and allocation decisions
• apply conventional and contemporary cost management techniques used in manufacturing and service industries
• explain the benefits and limitations of contemporary cost management techniques
• apply critical thinking, problem solving and presentation skills to individual and/or group activities dealing with cost information for decision making.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 30%
Examination (3 hours): 70%

Contact hours

One 2-hour lecture and one 1-hour tutorial per week

Prerequisites

AFW1002

Prohibitions

AFC2131, AFF2391

Offered

Gippsland Second semester 2009 (Off-campus)
Sunway Second semester 2009 (Day)
Peninsula Second semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

Topics covered include multinational firms and globalisation; foreign direct investment; political risk; foreign exchange markets; currency derivatives (currency options and forward contracts); measuring and managing transaction exposure; cost of capital and capital structure for multinational firms; fundamentals of capital budgeting; international capital and exchange rate effects; international cash management; transfer pricing and international tax strategies.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• discuss the international financial environment and the importance of foreign exchange risk management
• discuss important financial management issues and their application to financial management of multinational firms
• discuss foreign exchange market mechanisms and explain how markets can be used to hedge foreign currency transaction exposure
• apply capital budgeting techniques in the context of a multinational firm
• apply critical thinking, problem solving and presentation skills to individual activities dealing with international financial management.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 30%
Examination (3 hours): 70%

Contact hours

3 hours per week

Prohibitions

AFC3240

Offered

Sunway First semester 2009 (Day)
Sunway Second semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

An overview of commercial banking and an introduction to the concepts and issues involved in the decision-making processes of bank management. Topics include the commercial banking environment; banking risks and capital adequacy; liquidity management; lending principles and policies; investment management.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• identify the main risks faced by banks and assess alternative approaches to measurement and management of these risks
• assess different aspects of bank performance
• explain the prudential framework under which banks operate
• apply critical thinking, problem solving and presentation skills to individual and/or group activities dealing with commercial banking and finance.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 30%
Examination (3 hours): 70%

Prerequisites

AFW1300

Prohibitions

AFC3170, AFF2401

Offered

Berwick First semester 2009 (Day)
Berwick Second semester 2009 (Day)
Gippsland First semester 2009 (Day)
Gippsland First semester 2009 (Off-campus)
Gippsland Second semester 2009 (Off-campus)
Sunway First semester 2009 (Day)
Sunway Second semester 2009 (Day)
Singapore First semester 2009 (Off-campus)
Peninsula First semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

The current Australian reporting and regulatory framework applicable to reporting entities including an analysis of significant accounting standards, professional reporting requirements and legal and stock exchange requirements. Accounting for corporate groups and issues in financial reporting are also explored.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• explain the content of the reports of publicly listed companies and regulations of the various regulatory bodies
• critically examine current issues and disclosure requirements in financial reporting
• prepare financial reports for single and consolidated entities
• apply critical thinking, problem solving and presentation skills to individual and/or group activities dealing with company reporting.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 30%
Examination (3 hours): 70%

Contact hours

3 hours per week

Prerequisites

AFW1002

Prohibitions

AFC2120, AFF2491

Offered

Berwick First semester 2009 (Day)
Gippsland First semester 2009 (Day)
Gippsland First semester 2009 (Off-campus)
Sunway First semester 2009 (Day)
Sunway Second semester 2009 (Day)
Singapore First semester 2009 (Off-campus)
Peninsula First semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

Time value of money, Theory of valuation, capital budgeting, portfolio theory and the capital asset pricing model, efficient market theory, cost of capital, capital structure and dividend policy.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• apply the concept of the time value of money and other project evaluation techniques
• explain and apply portfolio theory and the capital asset pricing model
• measure a firm's cost of capital
• describe dividend policy and its relevance to the value of a firm
• apply critical thinking, problem solving and presentation skills to individual and/or group activities dealing with financial management.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 20%
Examination (3 hours): 80%

Prerequisites

AFW1000 or AFW1001 (pre 2009)

Prohibitions

AFC2140, AFF2631, AFW3044

Offered

South Africa Second semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

An introduction to ethical issues in business, with a specific focus on the accounting profession. The unit addresses four areas of ethics and business: an introduction to ethical theories and applied ethics, including the nature of ethics and ethical decision-making; an overview of business ethics and its relationship with corporate governance and social responsibility; an understanding of how ethics affects businesses, organisations and professions; The Code of Professional Conduct in the accountancy profession.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• examine the ethical dimension of individual and social life in the context of cultural diversity
• define and explain selected ethical theories and their relevance to business and professional ethical issues
• apply an ethical and corporate governance perspective to organisational and management issues
• explain the nature of professionalism
• be able to use ethical knowledge and theory to make decisions in relation to case studies
• describe the purpose, structure and contents of selected codes of conduct from business and professions, particularly the accounting profession and
• apply critical thinking, problem solving and presentation skills to individual and/or group activities dealing with ethics in business, as well as in the accounting profession.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 40%
Examination (3 hours): 60%

Contact hours

One 2-hour lecture and one 1-hour tutorial per week

Prohibitions

AFW2042, AFW3004

Offered

South Africa First semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

As an intermediate financial accounting unit, this provides an overview of the accounting environment through an examination of selected topics in accounting considering the underlying theory, the regulatory environment, and applying the requirements of selected IFRS, including an introduction to group accounting, and the accounting for income taxes.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• describe and understand the requirements of the financial reporting and regulatory environment, including the internationalization of accounting practices and the underlying theory supporting these changes
• discuss the key aspects of the Framework and IAS1 Presentation of Financial Statements and apply its prescriptions
• comment on the theoretical aspects of revenue, provisions, changes in accounting policies, events after balance sheet dates, and apply the requirements of these standards to accounting scenarios
• explain the role of cash flow statements and prepare cash flow statements following the prescriptions of IAS7 Cash Flow statements
• argue and apply the prescriptions contained in the Income Tax standard (IAS 12)
• explain and apply elementary principles of group statements and group accounting and prepare a basic group balance sheet and
• apply critical thinking, problem solving and presentation skills to individual and/or group activities dealing with financial accounting.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 40%
Examination (3 hours): 60%

Contact hours

One 2-hour lecture and one 1-hour tutorial per week

Prerequisites

AFW1002

Offered

South Africa Second semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

The unit provides a detailed examination of how certain International Accounting Standards are implemented. The relevant standards focus on accounting for corporate assets under different circumstances, as well as on calculating earnings per share and borrowing costs. Students will be exposed to and learn how to prepare accounting records using commercial accounting software in a manner that comply with the standards applicable to this unit.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• determine the key concepts that are relevant for selected topics (see list of relevant accounting standards below) in financial accounting, the need for accounting standards, and the areas of debate and difficulty that apply to the standards regulating the accounting of corporate assets
• apply the accounting principles prescribed in international standards to specific problems, at an advanced level, for the accounting of assets in a manual and computerised accounting system in the development of financial statements;
• analyse and evaluate how companies apply the standard in their annual financial reporting
• calculate borrowing cost and earnings per share and make recommendations on how best to present and apply the resulting information
• analyse and describe how companies disclose borrowing cost and earnings per share in their financial statements
• practically make use of a commercial accounting software package to enter and process accounting data according to accounting standards and to analyse and interpret the resulting accounting information and
• apply critical thinking, problem solving and presentation skills to individual and/or group activities dealing with financial accounting.

• Inventories (IAS 2)
• Property, Plant & Equipment (IAS 16)
• Impairment of assets (IAS 36)
• Intangible assets (IAS 38)
• Investment Property (IAS 40)
• Non-current assets held for sale and discontinued operations (IFRS 5)
• Borrowing costs (IAS 23)

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 40%
Examination (3 hours): 60%

Contact hours

One 2-hour lecture and one 1-hour tutorial per week

Prerequisites

AFW2710

Prohibitions

AFW2042, AFW3004

Offered

South Africa First semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

An introduction to auditing covering the responsibilities, functions and qualities of the auditor and some of the statutory matters. It covers a review of the audit process from planning to the completion of the audit and includes the going concern concept; fraud and error; audit evidence; engagement and planning; internal controls and substantive procedures; completion of the audit and special audit investigations. The tests of control and substantive tests performed on the following business cycles are also included: revenue and receipts; acquisitions and payments; inventory and production; payroll and personnel; finance and investment.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• explain and describe the general principles of auditing, the responsibilities, functions and qualities of the auditor and illustrate knowledge of a proper background to auditing;
• explain and describe the audit process from planning to the completion of the audit, assess audit risk and determine materiality;
• explain and describe all the relevant issues regarding the going concern concept, and subsequent events, quality control, related parties, reliance on other parties and review engagements, and to apply these on various simulated practical situations/in various audits;
• identify, describe and examine internal controls in the context of external auditing, and to plan and apply that knowledge in simulated practical situations and to make recommendations in that regard;
• apply tests of control and substantive testing to the business cycles;
• prepare an appropriate audit report in different circumstances;
• apply critical thinking, problem solving and presentation skills to individual and/or group activities dealing with auditing.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 30%
Examination (3 hours): 70%

Prerequisites

AFW1002, BTW1201

Prohibitions

AFW2041, AFW3941, AFW3942

Offered

South Africa Second semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

An introduction to the principles of corporate finance. The unit addresses the following fundamental areas of finance: an introduction to corporate finance and financial management; an introduction to working with financial statements; the principles of time value of money and valuation of future cash flows; interest rates and bond valuations, net present value and investment criteria; an introduction to capital budgeting principles and its relationship with the future cash flow valuation and project analysis and evaluation.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• explain the purpose of financial management and corporate finance
• apply analysis techniques to financial information and interpret the results
• explain and apply the principles of time value of money to rank investment projects and value stocks and bonds
• explain and apply, at an introductory level, valuation techniques relating to equity instruments
• explain and apply techniques in capital investment decisions and
• apply critical thinking, problem solving and presentation skills to activities dealing with corporate finance.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 40%
Examination (3 hours): 60%.

Contact hours

One 2-hour lecture and one 1-hour tutorial per week

Prerequisites

AFW1000 or AFW1001 (pre 2009)

Prohibitions

AFW3005

Offered

Berwick First semester 2009 (Day)
Gippsland Second semester 2009 (Day)
Gippsland Second semester 2009 (Off-campus)
Sunway First semester 2009 (Day)
Singapore Second semester 2009 (Off-campus)
Peninsula Second semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

The objective of this unit is two-fold. First, the unit provides students with a broad introduction to accounting information systems and the role technology plays in accounting. The focus will be on an introduction to: enterprise systems; database management; documentation methods; internal controls; and the core business processes found in organisations. Second, the unit focuses on corporate modelling theory; models as decision support tools; types and uses of models; benefits and limitations of models; effective spreadsheet design; auditing spreadsheet models and development of various models using an industry standard spreadsheet.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• examine the role of accounting information systems in analysing and providing decision support to managers
• explain the design of accounting information systems and financial models
• develop financial models to assist in decision making
• apply critical thinking, problem solving and presentation skills to individual and/or group activities dealing with accounting information systems.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 30% Examination: (3 hours) 70%

Contact hours

3 hours per week

Prerequisites

AFW1000 or AFW1001 (pre 2009)

Prohibitions

AFC2160, AFC2851, AFF2051, AFF2851, AFW2051, BUS1060, BUS3030

Offered

Berwick Second semester 2009 (Day)
Gippsland First semester 2009 (Off-campus)
Gippsland Second semester 2009 (Day)
Gippsland Second semester 2009 (Off-campus)
Sunway First semester 2009 (Day)
Sunway Second semester 2009 (Day)
Singapore Second semester 2009 (Off-campus)
Peninsula Second semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

Topics include the budget planning process including master budget preparation, budgeting standard costs and variance analysis, responsibility accounting, management by objectives and non-financial performance measurement, divisional performance, transfer pricing issues, program budgeting and other approaches, capital budgeting, strategic planning and control.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• apply standard costing, budgeting and other selected management accounting techniques that enable managers to measure and control performance
• analyse management accounting information in a wide range of decision contexts in both service and manufacturing industries
• explain the behavioural implications of performance measurement systems
• evaluate the role of management control systems in strategic decisions such as cost, supplier, customer and quality management
• apply critical thinking, problem solving and presentation skills to individual and/or group activities dealing with performance measurement and control issues.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 30%
Examination (3 hours): 70%

Contact hours

3 hours per week

Prerequisites

AFW2020

Prohibitions

AFC3131, AFF3431

Offered

Berwick First semester 2009 (Day)
Gippsland First semester 2009 (Day)
Gippsland First semester 2009 (Off-campus)
Gippsland Second semester 2009 (Off-campus)
Sunway First semester 2009 (Day)
Sunway Second semester 2009 (Day)
Singapore First semester 2009 (Off-campus)
Peninsula First semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

Topics include the nature of theory and scientific method by considering two basic methods of enquiry: induction and deduction; the emergence of general descriptive and prescriptive accounting theories; the application of measurement theories; the regulation of financial accounting and the development of international accounting as they relate to the conceptual framework; and summarising and identifying the assumptions underlying accounting concepts by critiquing the financial statements.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• outline the development of accounting concepts and international accounting
• critically review conventional accounting practice
• compare and contrast alternative accounting models
• understand ethical principles and their application of these principles in the field of business
• apply critical thinking, problem solving and presentation skills to individual and/or group activities dealing with accounting theory.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 30%
Examination (3 hours): 70%

Contact hours

3 hours per week

Prerequisites

AFW2491

Prohibitions

AFC3120, AFF3491

Offered

Berwick Second semester 2009 (Day)
Gippsland Second semester 2009 (Day)
Gippsland Second semester 2009 (Off-campus)
Sunway Second semester 2009 (Day)
Singapore Second semester 2009 (Off-campus)
Peninsula Second semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

Overview of auditing, the auditor's legal liabilities, audit process and evidence, the concepts of materiality and risks, study and evaluation of internal control, EDP auditing, audit sampling techniques, the test of transactions cycles and the verification of account balances, auditors reports, and internal and operational auditing.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• explain the role, limitations and demand for audits in modern corporate society including the auditor's professional, ethical and legal obligations
• explain the auditor's role in corporate governance with particular emphasis on the detection and reporting of fraud and error
• describe the assurance framework, planning process and evidence gathering procedures used by auditors to form an audit opinion
• apply critical thinking, problem solving and presentation skills to individual and/or group activities dealing with auditing and assurance matters.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 30%
Examination (3 hours): 70%,

Contact hours

3 hours per week

Prerequisites

AFW2491

Prohibitions

AFC3160, AFF3631

Offered

Not offered in 2009

Synopsis

This unit involves completing a research project identifying a specific problem relating to accounting, auditing or finance and suggestions or systems to meet the problem. In identifying the research question students will complete an extensive literature review.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• develop analytical, communication and project management skills
• discuss various research methodologies appropriate to solving research questions
• explain the purpose and function of accounting research
• critically evaluate underlying theories, concepts, assumptions, limitations and arguments in accounting
• apply critical thinking, problem solving and presentation skills to individual activities dealing with current accounting issues.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 100%

Contact hours

3 hours per week

Prerequisites

Permission required

Offered

Gippsland Second semester 2009 (Off-campus)

Synopsis

Introduction to portfolio management concepts, risk and diversification, efficient market hypothesis, portfolio theory and market behaviour, asset pricing models, the stock exchange, technical and fundamental analysis, bond pricing options, futures and commodities markets, management of portfolios, international diversification.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• critically evaluate financial market information to measure risk and return
• describe modern portfolio theory
• apply asset pricing models and valuation techniques to the valuation of assets
• apply critical thinking, problem solving and presentation skills to individual and/or group activities dealing with investments and portfolio analysis.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 30%
Examination (3 hours): 70%

Contact hours

3 hours per week

Prerequisites

AFW2631 or AFW3044

Prohibitions

AFF3121, AFW3121

Offered

Berwick Second semester 2009 (Day)
Gippsland First semester 2009 (Off-campus)
Gippsland Second semester 2009 (Day)
Gippsland Second semester 2009 (Off-campus)
Sunway First semester 2009 (Day)
Sunway Second semester 2009 (Day)
Singapore Second semester 2009 (Off-campus)
Peninsula Second semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

Financial accounting topics covered by this unit include: Australian accounting standards, institutional setting and the conceptual framework; accounting for leases; accounting for employee benefits; accounting for financial instruments; cash flow reporting; segment reporting; accounting for EPS; accounting for extractive industries; accounting for agriculture; financial reporting in the public sector; foreign currency translation; and social and environmental reporting.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• acquire advanced knowledge of the conceptual framework and disclosure requirements in accordance with the accounting standards and the statutory laws
• develop an improved understanding of how professional policies are formulated in preparation of accounting for various financial accounting issues with particular reference to current practice
• develop critical skills in written communication and problem analysis through the completion of comprehensive assignment exercise and /or essays
• develop an ability to work independently and to participate in group discussions with participants from diverse backgrounds.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 40%
Examination(3 hours): 60%

Contact hours

3 hours per week

Prerequisites

AFW2491

Prohibitions

AFC3120, AFF3491

Offered

Berwick Second semester 2009 (Day)
Sunway First semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

On completion of this subject students should be able to demonstrate an understanding of the conceptual foundations of modern portfolio theory, using pricing models and other techniques in the valuation of securities; appreciate the effect of market efficiency on the valuation process; measure portfolio risk and determine performance benchmarks; and be able to take an applied perspective on investment management and analysis in the Australian environment.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• critically evaluate financial market information to measure risk and return
• describe modern portfolio theory
• apply asset pricing models and valuation techniques to the valuation of assets
• apply critical thinking, problem solving and presentation skills to individual and/or group activities dealing with investments and portfolio management.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 30%
Examination (3 hours): 70%

Contact hours

3 hours per week

Prerequisites

AFW2631 or AFW3044

Prohibitions

AFF3121, AFW3046

Offered

Sunway First semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

The international monetary system, debt and country risk, the foreign exchange market, international financing strategies and techniques, the Euro-markets, and multinational banking.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• explain the parity principles and the concept of arbitrage in international financial markets
• explain how currency derivative contracts such as forwards, futures, options and swaps can be used to hedge in the foreign exchange markets
• apply critical thinking, problem solving and presentation skills to individual and/or group activities dealing with international banking and finance.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 40%
Examination (3 hours): 60%

Contact hours

3 hours per week

Prerequisites

AFF2401 or AFW2401

Prohibitions

AFF3331, AFX3871

Offered

Sunway Second semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

Treasury functions; risk assessment evaluation; strategy formulation and implementation; liquidity and cash management; audit and control.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• explain the role of treasury operations in an international or a local bank;
• describe how risk management processes work
• demonstrate the application of hedging techniques used in banks'' treasury operations
• apply critical thinking, problem solving and presentation skills to individual and/or group activities dealing with treasury management.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 40%
Examination (3 hours): 60%

Prerequisites

AFW2401

Prohibitions

AFF3651

Offered

South Africa First semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

Critically analyse and apply selected accounting reporting standards (IFRS) in the accounting of financial information of companies.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• critically analyse the objectives of financial statements, the specific information needs of equity investors, the general information needs of other users and describe and assess the meaning of fair presentation
• comment on the need for and assess the application of a conceptual framework and the standards for financial reporting
• discuss the reporting requirements as it relates to the statutory reporting requirements, and the reporting requirements of Generally Accepted Accounting Practice or financial reporting standards
• discuss the underlying assumptions on the basis of which financial statements are prepared
• discuss the qualitative characteristics of financial statements and assess their applicability to fair presentation and measurement issues to enhance the decision-usefulness of financial reporting
• assess the appropriate elements of financial statements and the presentation of the elements in the financial statements
• discuss recognition criteria and assess their application in financial statements
• criticise the measurement criteria, models and their incorporation and disclosure in the financial statements
• criticise the concepts of fair value accounting.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 30%
Examination (3 hours): 70%

Prerequisites

AFW2720

Prohibitions

AFW2042, AFW3004

Offered

South Africa Second semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

Familiarise students with the preparation and presentation of group annual financial statements of companies in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act, 1973, and the financial reporting standards.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• discuss the theory and background to group structures and preparing group financial statements
• prepare and assess group financial statements for wholly-owned and partly-owned subsidiaries, taking into account the effects of intercompany transactions, dividends, preferences shares, interim acquisitions and insolvent subsidiaries
• discuss and apply alternative forms of group reporting
• discuss the basic principles of equity accounting and joint ventures
• apply critical thinking, problem solving and presentation skills to individual and/or group activities dealing with group statements.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 30%
Final Examination (3 hours): 70%

Contact hours

One 2-hour lecture and one 1-hour tutorial per week

Prerequisites

AFW2720

Offered

South Africa Second semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

Theory and background to managerial decision making in respect of the following different types decision making techniques: cost volume profit analysis, learning curve theory, relevance approach to non-routine profit related decisions, decision making under circumstances of risk and uncertainty, cost planning of network projects, inventory models, standard costing, budgeting techniques, cost estimation and behaviour and linear programming.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• explain and discuss the role that management accounting information plays in organisations
• explain and apply advanced quantification techniques to provide information for management decision-making and give advice
• demonstrate proficiency in applying the instruments, techniques and procedures covered to theoretical and practical applications interpret the results and advice accordingly
• apply critical thinking, problem solving and presentation skills to individual and/or group activities dealing with management information.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 30%
Examination (3 hours): 70%

Contact hours

One 2-hour lecture and one 1-hour tutorial per week

Prerequisites

AFW2020

Offered

South Africa First semester 2009 (Day)
South Africa Second semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

The application of South African Companies Act and other legal requirements on the audit profession and the external auditor is dealt with extensively in this unit. The external auditor and corporate governance are also dealt with. One specific area of the audit is dealt with again: audit risk, and this is also considered for the audit of groups of companies. A big part of the semester is spent on computer auditing, the controls and control environment, as well as computer-assisted audit techniques (CAATs).

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• explain the requirements and sections of the Companies Act and the Auditing Professions Act on the external auditor's professional activities and the audit of companies, and to identify violations of the laws and to make relevant recommendations
• identify and explain the application of the requirements and sections of the Close Corporations Act on the professional accountant
• describe the best practice in corporate governance and how it is applied in the business world, and to assess simulated practical situations and make relevant recommendations
• assess audit risk and apply it on various simulated practical situations/in various audits
• identify and examine computer controls in the context of external auditing, and to plan and apply that knowledge in simulated practical situations and to make recommendations in that regard
• apply CAATs in simulated practical circumstances, mostly in an external audit;
• describe the use of automated audit working papers and
• identify the risks specific to the auditing of groups and describe the audit procedures relevant to the audit of group companies.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 30%
Examination (3 hours): 70%

Prerequisites

AFW2760

Prohibitions

AFW2041, AFW3941, AFW3942

Offered

South Africa First semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

This unit provides a detailed examination of selected topics in corporate finance. These topics include: capital market history, risk and return, cost of capital, raising capital, financial leverage and capital structure, dividend policy, short-term finance and planning, mergers and acquisitions, international corporate finance, leasing and valuations.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• explain and apply the key concepts that are relevant for each topic (capital market history, risk and return, cost of capital, raising capital, financial leverage and capital structure, dividend policy, short-term finance and planning, mergers and acquisitions, international corporate finance, leasing and valuations) and interpret results;
• apply critical thinking, problem solving and presentation skills to individual and/or group activities dealing with corporate finance;
• apply complex quantitative techniques to practical examples and case studies in corporate finance and give advice;
• demonstrate an understanding of how these topics relate to contemporary corporate activity.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 30%
Examination (3 hours): 70%

Prerequisites

AFW2780

Prohibitions

AFW3005

Offered

Sunway First semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

Lending environment; decision making and organisation of lending, lending policies and controls; behavioural aspects of decision making and decision-makers; retail, commercial and corporate lending; business expansions; off balance sheet lending; loan management and problem loans.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• apply appropriate analysis techniques to particular loan facilities
• analyse the risk return characteristics (and pricing) of a loan application
• examine the major types of lending products and gain the ability to match these products to customer needs
• investigate the behavioural aspects of decision making and decision makers
• describe statistical techniques used in decision making at the approval, monitoring and termination stages of lending.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 30%
Examination (3 hours): 70%

Contact hours

3 hours per week

Prerequisites

AFW2401 and AFW2631

Prohibitions

AFF3841

Offered

Not offered in 2009

Synopsis

This unit is designed to introduce the concept of risk as a business philosophy and to introduce the students to the Australian Risk Management Standard, AS/NZS 4360:1999.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• demonstrate an understanding of the scope, application and definition of risk
• explain the risk treatment requirements needed by business
• compare and contrast the risk management process with existing approaches to governance, compliance and control
• apply the risk approach to effective business control, by reference to AUS/NZ 4360:2004
• apply critical thinking, problem solving and presentation skills in individual and/or group activities dealing with risk.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 30%
Examination (3 hours): 70%

Offered

Caulfield First semester 2009 (Evening)

Synopsis

This unit is designed to emphasise the different approach to the finance function when risk identification and risk financing are taken as the drivers of value creation.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• explain the concept of risk financing
• consider the major sources of endogenous and exogenous risk
• compare risk across industrial sectors and forms of business enterprises
• apply risk financing techniques
• apply critical thinking, problem solving and presentation skills in individual and/or group activities dealing with risk financing.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 30%
Examination (3 hours): 70%

Prerequisites

AFX2021 or AFX3141

Offered

Caulfield First semester 2009 (Evening)
Caulfield Second semester 2009 (Evening)

Synopsis

This unit is designed to introduce the concept of risk transfer as an outcome of risk management decision-making. It introduces the concept and application of insurance and the principals underlying the insurance purchase. It will look at risk and its treatment, the insurance mechanism and further develop risk as a business philosophy.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• demonstrate an understanding of the risk transfer decision-making process and explain the concept of risk within an insurance framework
• explain the principles of risk allocation in non-insurance contracts
• analyse the core concepts underlying the main insurance industry sectors of life, accident, health, property and liability
• discuss and comment on the implications of the growing convergence of the broader financial services industry
• apply critical thinking, problem solving and presentation skills in individual and/or group activities dealing with risk transfer.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 30%
Examination (3 hours): 70%

Prerequisites

AFX2021 or AFX3141

Offered

Caulfield First semester 2009 (Evening)

Synopsis

This subject identifies the risks to be managed using a well-structured systematic process. Generic sources of risk will include inter alia: Commercial and legal relationships, economic circumstances, human behaviour, natural events, political circumstances, technology and technical issues, management activities and controls. Both qualitative and quantitative analysis will be carried out. Amongst the options for treating risk are:

1. avoidance,
2. reduction of the likelihood of the occurrence and/or reduction of the consequence,
3. risk transference,
4. risk retention.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• apply commonly used techniques to identify sources of risk
• distinguish minor and major risks and utilise methods to assist in the evaluation and mitigation of risk
• assess the probability of an event, its associated consequences and risk implications
• identify a range of options for treatment of risk and prepare and implement risk treatment plans
• apply critical thinking, problem solving and presentation skills in individual and/or group activities dealing with risk identification and mitigation.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 40%
Examination (3 hours): 60%

Contact hours

Caulfield, second semester

Prerequisites

AFX1230 or ETX2011

Prohibitions

AFX2021

Offered

Clayton Second semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

This unit considers characteristics of property investment, valuation of real estate assets, real estate market analysis, the role of equilibrium asset pricing models, real estate and portfolio theory, measurement of risk and return, indices and pricing models, the effect of leverage and taxation, real estate in mixed asset portfolios, listed and unlisted property trusts, property management and development projects.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• analyse investments in asset classes with particular emphasis on property
• critically examine the different types of property, characteristics of property markets, the role of professional investors and managers and the nature of investment vehicles employed
• explain property cycles and the role of property in investment portfolios
• evaluate property based on risk of cash flows
• apply critical thinking, problem solving and presentation skills in individual and/or group activities dealing with property investment.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 30%
Examination (3 hours): 70%

Contact hours

3 hours per week

Prerequisites

AFC2140 or AFF2631

Offered

Caulfield Summer semester A 2009 (On-campus block of classes)

Synopsis

This unit centres on both a conceptual and practical approach to International Accounting Issues with emphasis on international standard setting and compliance as viewed by regulatory and private sector preparers of accounts. Students gain a practical understanding of these issues in an international context through the overseas visitation program which forms an integral part of this unit.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• compare and contrast accounting standard setting in various countries and discuss the convergence of accounting standards through an international study program
• develop a practical understanding and appreciation of culture in the development of national accounting regulations
• evaluate academic and professional papers in international accounting
• apply critical thinking, problem solving and presentation skills in individual and/or group activities dealing with international accounting.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 50%
Examination (2 hours): 50%

Contact hours

Three 3-hour seminars over two weeks prior to departure; and participation in a series of up to ten seminars of approximately 3-hours conducted over a period of about 3 weeks at international commercial centres

Prerequisites

AFC2120, AFF2491, AFW2491 or permission required.

Prohibitions

AFX3871

Offered

Caulfield Summer semester A 2009 (On-campus block of classes)

Synopsis

The unit is designed to provide students with the conceptual foundations of the functions and institutions of the international financial system. To impart an understanding and appreciation of the current issues underlying the international area of finance, and to develop a practical understanding of the markets and financial techniques used by international banks and multinational organisations. To develop a practical understanding and appreciation of cultural differences within the area of international banking and finance through an overseas visitation program.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• compare and contrast the structure of banking and financial markets internationally through an international study program
• explain parity theories and their application to foreign exchange markets
• develop a practical understanding and appreciation of culture in the development of national banking and finance activities
• evaluate academic and professional papers in international banking and finance
• apply critical thinking, problem solving and presentation skills in individual and/or group activities dealing with international banking and finance.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 50%
Examination (2 hours): 50%

Contact hours

Eight 3-hour seminars over 3 weeks prior to departure; and over a period of approximately 3 weeks participation in a series of up to ten 3-hour seminars conducted at international commercial centres

Prerequisites

AFC2140, AFF2401, AFF2631, AFW2401 or AFW2631

Prohibitions

AFF3331, AFW3331, AFX3551

Offered

Caulfield First semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

Introduction to a broad range of research methodology and testing procedures used in accounting and finance. The primary focus is on the undertaking of research. The unit comprises an analysis of the science of research, an examination of the key elements of research in accounting and finance, data issues, ethical issues, hypothesis development, causal models, the use of parametric and non-parametric statistical tests, survey-based research and general research methodology.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• explain the major steps in the development of a research project in accounting or finance
• illustrate the key strengths and weaknesses in accounting and finance research designs and methods
• apply qualitative and quantitive data analysis techniques and interpret the output
• critically evaluate empirical research in accounting and finance
• apply critical thinking, problem solving and presentation skills in individual and/or group activities dealing with research methods.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 40%
Examination (3 hours): 60%

Contact hours

3 hours per week

Co-requisites

Students must be enrolled in course 0181 or 0171 to undertake this unit

Prohibitions

AFC4100

Offered

Caulfield First semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

Students will prepare a research proposal in an area of accounting and/or finance. Students will, with the assistance of a research mentor, select a research topic and prepare a proposal consisting of a literature review, theory and hypothesis development, an outline of the research methods to be applied and the data requirements

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• prepare a research proposal in accounting or finance
• write a literature review related to a selected topic in accounting or finance
• develop testable hypotheses
• identify the appropriate method and identify data requirements to test the hypotheses
• apply critical thinking, problem solving and presentation skills in individual and/or group activities dealing with a research proposal.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 100%

Contact hours

15 contact hours over 13 weeks

Co-requisites

AFX4000 and students must be enrolled in course 0171 or 0181 to undertake this unit

Offered

Caulfield Second semester 2009 (Day)
Clayton Second semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

Students should learn how to conduct a literature review; develop both research questions and hypotheses; formulate a research decision; gather and analyse data using appropriate procedures; write up research; and draw appropriate conclusions.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• implement a research proposal
• recognise practical problems of conducting scientific research and propose solutions
• write a comprehensive research paper
• develop the ability to conduct and manage a planned study
• apply critical thinking, problem solving and presentation skills in individual and/or group activities dealing with a research project.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 100%

Contact hours

3 hours per week

Prerequisites

AFX4000 and AFX4010

Co-requisites

Students must be enrolled in course 0181 or 0171 to undertake this unit

Offered

Caulfield Second semester 2009 (Day)
Clayton Second semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

Students conduct a critical review of the literature relevant to their study; derive appropriate hypotheses for testing; devise an empirical test of the hypotheses showing regard to practical problems of conducting research, ethical considerations, and principles of scientific method; conduct a planned study and manage any problems arising in the date collection; select and conduct an appropriate analysis of the data; and write a report on the project, showing due regard to relevant stylistic conventions.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• implement a research proposal
• recognise practical problems of conducting scientific research and propose solutions
• complete a research dissertation
• develop the ability to conduct and manage a planned study
• apply critical thinking, problem solving and presentation skills in individual and/or group activities dealing with a research dissertation.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 100%

Contact hours

24 hours per week

Prerequisites

AFX4000 and AFX4010

Co-requisites

Students must be enrolled in course 0181 or 0171 to undertake this unit

Offered

Clayton First semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

Topics include consumption-based asset pricing models , two beta ICAPM, intertemporal asset pricing models, modelling for mutual and hedging funds, credit risk models, modelling correlated defaults, term structure of default probability, credit derivatives, credit default swaps, collateralised debt obligations, asset value models.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• apply advanced knowledge and skills in the use of Excel and Visual Basic
• develop advanced skills in the design and implementation of efficient and robust financial models such as option pricing, portfolio and interest rate models
• apply critical thinking, problem solving and presentation skills to individual and/or group activities dealing with advanced modelling in finance.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 50%
Examination (3 hours): 50%

Contact hours

One 2-hour lecture and one 1-hour tutorial per week

Co-requisites

Students must be enrolled in course 0181 or 0171 to undertake this unit

Offered

Not offered in 2009

Synopsis

The objective of this unit is to provide students with a broad introduction to the contemporary themes in Accounting Information Systems research. The unit covers issues on research and practice in the following areas: frameworks and ontologies in information systems; decision making; process modelling; systems and data; and design and behavioural aspects in accounting information systems. Upon completion of this unit, students are expected to be able to critically evaluate design and behavioural aspects of accounting information systems research and practice. They should also be able to identify major research questions in accounting information systems.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• discuss ontologies and paradigms in information systems
• discuss decision making and principles of bounded rationality
• evaluate integrated information systems modelling tools for accounting processes
• critically evaluate empirical research and identify major research questions in accounting and business information systems
• apply critical thinking, problem solving and presentation skills to individual and/or group activities dealing with issues in accounting information systems.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 60%
Examination (3 hours): 40%

Contact hours

3 hours per week

Co-requisites

Students must be enrolled in course 0181 or 0171 to undertake this unit

Offered

Caulfield First semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

This unit considers both theoretical and professional issues relevant to the various participants to the audit process. The unit provides students with an overview of the nature of assurance and regulation of the audit profession, the economics of auditing, and the behavioural dimensions of auditing. Topics also include future directions for assurance services, fraud, internal control and corporate governance issues.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• discuss research paradigms in auditing and assurance research
• describe the range of methods of decision making in auditing
• critically evaluate empirical research and identify major research questions in auditing and assurance including audit quality, internal control, fraud and corporate governance
• apply critical thinking, problem solving and presentation skills in individual and/or group activities dealing with issues in auditing and assurance.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 50%
Examination (3 hours): 50%

Contact hours

One 3-hour session per week

Co-requisites

Students must be enrolled in course 0181 or 0171 to undertake this unit

Offered

Clayton First semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

The objective of this course is to develop critical economic reasoning and understanding of important empirical regularities in corporate finance. This unit builds on introductory corporate finance studies and analyses a variety of issues by introducing a study of recent empirical literature. There is a strong focus on research with a selective and critical examination of theoretical and empirical research in corporate finance. The advanced topics covered include market efficiency and event studies, security offerings, corporate takeovers, and capital structure, dividend policy, corporate governance and financial tunnelling.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• acquire knowledge of empirical findings in corporate finance
• develop an ability to conceptualise and analyse issues in corporate finance at a sound level of understanding and be in a position to make a significant contribution in setting firm financial policy
• critically evaluate underlying theories, concepts, assumptions, limitations and arguments in corporate financial theory
• develop analytical skills via understanding the intuition and logic behind recent academic research and the possible extension to the recent research.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 50%
Examination (3 hours): 50%

Contact hours

3 hours per week

Co-requisites

AFX4000

Offered

Clayton First semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

Topics are selected from the development of financial accounting theory, contracting theory and accounting policy choice (including debt contracts, political costs, management compensation and efficient contracting), corporate governance, behavioural research, the returns-earnings relation, the explanatory power of earnings, post-earnings announcement drift and other anomalies, information content of cash flows and accruals, earnings quality, market reaction to accounting regulation and value relevance of accounting information.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• discuss research paradigms in financial accounting
• discuss the economic consequences of accounting regulation
• distinguish between alternative perspectives of corporate governance and appreciate its interaction with contracting theory and financial accounting
• critically evaluate empirical research and identify major research questions in financial accounting
• apply critical thinking, problem solving and presentation skills in individual and/or group activities dealing with issues in financial accounting.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 100%

Contact hours

One 3-hour session per week

Co-requisites

Students must be enrolled in course 0181 or 0171 to undertake this unit

Offered

Caulfield First semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

This unit draws on the academic literature to provide a study of a range of topics relating to banking and finance. It presents a basis for students intending to undertake research into banking and related finance questions. Topics covered include theory of financial intermediation, risk management, efficiency assessment, competition modelling and bank regulation.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• discuss existing theory in the field of banking and its evolution
• critically assess the usefulness and limitations of this theory in the field of banking
• apply this theory to relevant current policy issues
• critically evaluate empirical research and identify major research questions in banking
• apply critical thinking, problem solving and presentation skills in individual and/or group activities dealing with issues in banking.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 40%
Examination (3 hours): 60%

Contact hours

3 hours per week

Co-requisites

Students must be enrolled in course 0181 or 0171 to undertake this unit

Offered

Clayton First semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

The major theoretical foundations of the management accounting discipline including the economics (agency), psychology (behavioural, etc.) and organisational (contingency) approaches are introduced. The unit shows how these disciplines have influenced the view of managers. Management accounting is presented as a professional discipline primarily concerned with influencing and facilitating decisions, and several accounting technologies are critically assessed. This unit focuses on technologies which are useful in the short and medium term including budgeting and incentive plans as well as those that take a long-term or strategic viewpoint.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• discuss research paradigms and core concepts related to organizational, economic, behavioural and sociological theories as they relate to management accounting research
• critically evaluate recent developments in strategic thinking and implications for management accounting
• critically evaluate empirical research to identify recent developments in management accounting practices from perspectives of both content and processes
• apply critical thinking, problem solving and presentation skills in individual and/or group activities dealing with issues in management accounting.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 100%

Contact hours

3 hours per week

Co-requisites

Students must be enrolled in course 0171 or 0181 to undertake this unit

Offered

Not offered in 2009

Synopsis

This unit provides students with an advanced applied perspective to a broad range of research methodology and testing procedures used in accounting and finance research. Students who have completed this unit should, at an advanced level, be able to collect qualitative and quantitative data using a variety of research techniques; to apply advanced statistical techniques to the analysis of quantitative data; to design non-probability and probability samples; to deal with advanced issues in cross-sectional, panel and time series data and to conduct research ethically.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• explain advanced research methods used in accounting and finance research
• perform advanced statistical and econometrics tests and procedures for data analysis
• identify topical research issues, research designs and advanced methods used in accounting and finance research
• develop critical skills of summarizing, analysing, reporting and presenting quantitative and/or qualitative data and research results
• apply critical thinking, problem solving and presentation skills in individual and/or group activities dealing with advanced research methods.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 30%
Examination (3 hours) 70%

Contact hours

Two 3-hour lectures per week for 6 weeks

Prerequisites

AFX4000

Co-requisites

Students must be enrolled in course 0181 or 0171 to undertake this unit

Offered

Caulfield Second semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

Topics include functions and objectives of banks; the risk return trade off; prudential supervision; asset management; loan pricing; liabilities and equity; off balance sheet banking; asset-liability management; measuring bank performance and managing financial crises for banks.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• describe the functions and objectives of financial intermediaries
• outline a framework for analysing the risks facing financial institutions in the context of their functions and objectives
• explain how bank management address these risks in the current banking environment, including dealing with risk return trade offs, prudential supervision, asset management, loan pricing, liabilities and equity, off balance sheet banking, asset-liability management, measuring bank performance and managing financial crises
• apply critical thinking, problem solving and presentation skills in individual and/or group activities dealing with bank management and risk analysis.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 50%
Examination (3 hours): 50%

Contact hours

3 hours per week

Co-requisites

Students must be enrolled in course 0181 or 0171 to undertake this unit

Offered

Not offered in 2009

Synopsis

Topics likely to be covered will be selected from theory and evidence on asset pricing models, capital structure, dividend policy, efficient markets, agency theory, takeovers and corporate restructuring, option pricing theory and applications, international finance and investment appraisal.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• describe current theories and models in corporate finance
• develop and apply requisite mathematics skills
• critically evaluate empirical research to identify recent developments in corporate finance
• apply critical thinking, problem solving and presentation skills in individual and/or group activities dealing with corporate financial theory.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 30%
Examination: (3 hours) 70%

Contact hours

Two 1.5-hour sessions per week

Prerequisites

AFC4060

Co-requisites

Students must be enrolled in course 0181 or 0171 to undertake this unit

Offered

Clayton Second semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

Topics selected from accounting-based valuation models, financial ratio analysis from a valuation perspective, empirical research based on accounting-based valuation, fundamental analysis research, risk and financial information, empirical research into share returns and financial information, analysts earnings forecasts and analysts investment recommendations and share returns, management earnings forecasts.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• describe accounting-based valuation methods and apply these methods to listed companies
• critically evaluate empirical research that utilises accounting-based valuation
• critically evaluate empirical research that investigates the role of analysts as information intermediaries in securities markets
• apply critical thinking, problem solving and presentation skills in individual and/or group activities dealing with the analysis of financial statements.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 50%
Examination (3 hours): 50%

Contact hours

Two 1.5-hour sessions per week

Co-requisites

Students must be enrolled in course 0181 or 0171 to undertake this unit

Offered

Not offered in 2009

Synopsis

Topics covered will be selected from: Markowitz portfolio theory, CAPM, the inter-temporal CAPM, Black-Scholes stock price and its implications, stochastic integration, stylised facts about stock and stock index returns -- results from econometric and econophysics research, risky asset models which reproduce the stylized facts, option pricing under such models, Itos formula, Ito processes, Ito calculus, accumulation under stochastic rates of interest and other applications in finance, extreme value theory in stock and insurance markets.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• explain advanced mathematical treatments of theoretical and analytical concepts in asset pricing and financial engineering
• critically analyse recent advances in mathematical and computational finance including wavelet analysis, artificial neural networks and copulas
• explain asset pricing theories and the use of scholastic processes
• critically evaluate empirical research that applies asset pricing theories
• apply critical thinking, problem solving and presentation skills in individual and/or group activities dealing with mathematical finance.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 50%
Examination (3 hours): 50%

Contact hours

Two 1.5 hour classes per week

Co-requisites

Students must be enrolled in course 0181 or 0171 to undertake this unit

Offered

Overseas First semester 2009 (Off-campus Day)
Overseas Second semester 2009 (Off-campus Day)

Synopsis

This unit is used by the Faculty to enrol students undertaking outbound exchange studies at a host institution. Students will not be able to enrol in this unit via WES. The faculty will manage the enrolment of students undertaking an outbound exchange program to ensure fees and credit are processed accurately.

Offered

Overseas First semester 2009 (Off-campus Day)
Overseas Second semester 2009 (Off-campus Day)

Synopsis

This unit is used by the Faculty to enrol students undertaking outbound exchange studies at a host institution. Students will not be able to enrol in this unit via WES. The faculty will manage the enrolment of students undertaking an outbound exchange program to ensure fees and credit are processed accurately.

Offered

Overseas First semester 2009 (Off-campus Day)
Overseas Second semester 2009 (Off-campus Day)

Synopsis

This unit is used by the Faculty to enrol students undertaking outbound exchange studies at a host institution. Students will not be able to enrol in this unit via WES. The faculty will manage the enrolment of students undertaking an outbound exchange program to ensure fees and credit are processed accurately.

Offered

Overseas First semester 2009 (Off-campus Day)
Overseas Second semester 2009 (Off-campus Day)

Synopsis

This unit is used by the Faculty to enrol students undertaking outbound exchange studies at a host institution. Students will not be able to enrol in this unit via WES. The faculty will manage the enrolment of students undertaking an outbound exchange program to ensure fees and credit are processed accurately.

Offered

Overseas First semester 2009 (Off-campus Day)
Overseas Second semester 2009 (Off-campus Day)

Synopsis

This unit is used by the Faculty to enrol students undertaking outbound exchange studies at a host institution. Students will not be able to enrol in this unit via WES. The faculty will manage the enrolment of students undertaking an outbound exchange program to ensure fees and credit are processed accurately.

Offered

Overseas First semester 2009 (Off-campus Day)
Overseas Second semester 2009 (Off-campus Day)

Synopsis

This unit is used by the Faculty to enrol students undertaking outbound exchange studies at a host institution. Students will not be able to enrol in this unit via WES. The faculty will manage the enrolment of students undertaking an outbound exchange program to ensure fees and credit are processed accurately.

Offered

Overseas First semester 2009 (Off-campus Day)
Overseas Second semester 2009 (Off-campus Day)

Synopsis

This unit is used by the Faculty to enrol students undertaking outbound exchange studies at a host institution. Students will not be able to enrol in this unit via WES. The faculty will manage the enrolment of students undertaking an outbound exchange program to ensure fees and credit are processed accurately.

Offered

Overseas First semester 2009 (Off-campus Day)
Overseas Second semester 2009 (Off-campus Day)

Synopsis

This unit is used by the Faculty to enrol students undertaking outbound exchange studies at a host institution. Students will not be able to enrol in this unit via WES. The faculty will manage the enrolment of students undertaking an outbound exchange program to ensure fees and credit are processed accurately.

Offered

Overseas First semester 2009 (Off-campus Day)
Overseas First semester 2009 (Off-campus Day)
Overseas Second semester 2009 (Off-campus Day)
Overseas Full year 2009 (Off-campus Day)

Synopsis

This unit is used by the Faculty to enrol students undertaking outbound exchange studies at a host institution. Students will not be able to enrol in this unit via WES. The faculty will manage the enrolment of students undertaking an outbound exchange program to ensure fees and credit are processed accurately.

Offered

Overseas First semester 2009 (Off-campus Day)
Overseas First semester 2009 (Off-campus Day)
Overseas Second semester 2009 (Off-campus Day)

Synopsis

This unit is used by the Faculty to enrol students undertaking outbound exchange studies at a host institution. Students will not be able to enrol in this unit via WES. The faculty will manage the enrolment of students undertaking an outbound exchange program to ensure fees and credit are processed accurately.

Offered

Overseas First semester 2009 (Off-campus Day)
Overseas Second semester 2009 (Off-campus Day)

Synopsis

This unit is used by the Faculty to enrol students undertaking outbound exchange studies at a host institution. Students will not be able to enrol in this unit via WES. The faculty will manage the enrolment of students undertaking an outbound exchange program to ensure fees and credit are processed accurately.

Offered

Overseas First semester 2009 (Off-campus Day)
Overseas Second semester 2009 (Off-campus Day)

Synopsis

This unit is used by the Faculty to enrol students undertaking outbound exchange studies at a host institution. Students will not be able to enrol in this unit via WES. The faculty will manage the enrolment of students undertaking an outbound exchange program to ensure fees and credit are processed accurately.

Offered

Overseas First semester 2009 (Off-campus Day)
Overseas Second semester 2009 (Off-campus Day)

Synopsis

This unit is used by the Faculty to enrol students undertaking outbound exchange studies at a host institution. Students will not be able to enrol in this unit via WES. The faculty will manage the enrolment of students undertaking an outbound exchange program to ensure fees and credit are processed accurately.

Offered

Overseas First semester 2009 (Off-campus Day)
Overseas Second semester 2009 (Off-campus Day)

Synopsis

This unit is used by the Faculty to enrol students undertaking outbound exchange studies at a host institution. Students will not be able to enrol in this unit via WES. The faculty will manage the enrolment of students undertaking an outbound exchange program to ensure fees and credit are processed accurately.

Offered

Overseas First semester 2009 (Off-campus Day)
Overseas Second semester 2009 (Off-campus Day)

Synopsis

This unit is used by the Faculty to enrol students undertaking outbound exchange studies at a host institution. Students will not be able to enrol in this unit via WES. The faculty will manage the enrolment of students undertaking an outbound exchange program to ensure fees and credit are processed accurately.

Offered

Overseas First semester 2009 (Off-campus Day)
Overseas Second semester 2009 (Off-campus Day)

Synopsis

This unit is used by the Faculty to enrol students undertaking outbound exchange studies at a host institution. Students will not be able to enrol in this unit via WES. The faculty will manage the enrolment of students undertaking an outbound exchange program to ensure fees and credit are processed accurately.

Offered

Overseas First semester 2009 (Off-campus Day)
Overseas Second semester 2009 (Off-campus Day)

Synopsis

This unit is used by the Faculty to enrol students undertaking outbound exchange studies at a host institution. Students will not be able to enrol in this unit via WES. The faculty will manage the enrolment of students undertaking an outbound exchange program to ensure fees and credit are processed accurately.

Offered

Overseas First semester 2009 (Off-campus Day)
Overseas Second semester 2009 (Off-campus Day)

Synopsis

This unit is used by the Faculty to enrol students undertaking outbound exchange studies at a host institution. Students will not be able to enrol in this unit via WES. The faculty will manage the enrolment of students undertaking an outbound exchange program to ensure fees and credit are processed accurately.

Offered

Berwick Summer semester A 2009 (Day)
Gippsland First semester 2009 (Day)
Gippsland Second semester 2009 (Day)
Gippsland Summer semester A 2009 (Day)
Gippsland Summer semester B 2009 (Day)
Sunway First semester 2009 (Day)
Sunway Second semester 2009 (Day)
Sunway Summer semester A 2009 (Day)
Peninsula First semester 2009 (Day)
Peninsula Second semester 2009 (Day)
Peninsula Summer semester A 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

Students will undertake approved projects for an employer, which will contribute to the organisation and facilitate the development of work place skills and application of knowledge to a practical situation.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• apply conceptual and theoretical knowledge to practical work situations
• use word processing and other software packages as appropriate to the work situation
• communicate effectively and appropriately with subordinates, peers, and superiors both verbally and in writing
• work effectively as part of a team
• participate in team discussions
• write effective internal reports for management
• Present issues and findings to subordinates, peers and superiors using appropriate software
• undertake applied research projects in the areas of Accounting, Economics, Management, Marketing, or any area of Business.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 100%

Prerequisites

Enrolment in this unit is not available via WES. Course Director approval is required prior to enrolment and approval will be dependent upon completion of 96 credit points (including appropriate units for the area of work placement) with an overall average of 65% for all units undertaken.

Leader(s): Dr Jennifer O'Reilly

Offered

Berwick Summer semester A 2009 (Day)
Berwick Summer semester B 2009 (Day)
Peninsula Summer semester A 2009 (Day)
Peninsula Summer semester B 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

The objective of the internship is to give students first-hand experience in working in a business setting in a context relevant to their likely graduate employment, and to integrate theory with practice.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• apply conceptual and theoretical knowledge to practical work situations
• communicate effectively and appropriately with subordinates, peers and superiors both verbally and in writing
• demonstrate an understanding of the nuances and practicalities of working within an organisation
• present issues and findings to subordinates, peers and superiors using appropriate software
• undertake applied research projects in an area of business and write an effective report for management assessment
• formulate and update a personal career strategic plan.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 100%

Contact hours

12 hours of structured learning activity pre placement provided by Employment and Career Development

Prerequisites

Enrolment in this unit is not available via WES. Unit leader approval is required prior to enrolment and approval will be dependent upon completion of 96 credit points (including appropriate units for the area of work placement) and locating a suitable internship setting.

Prohibitions

MKX3631, BEW3100

Leader(s): Ms Robyn Dyt

Offered

Gippsland First semester 2009 (Day)
Gippsland Second semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

This unit provides students with an opportunity to undertake work in an organisational environment broadly related to their field of academic study. Students will undertake approved projects for an employer, which will contribute to the overall goals of the organisation. The unit will require students to apply theoretical and conceptual knowledge to practical workplace situations as well as develop self-awareness, personal and professional competencies necessary for a high level of employability.

Assessment

Completion of workplace objectives: 30%
assignment on placement (7000 words): 70%

Contact hours

The project will be conducted in an industry and does not require class contact

Prerequisites

Enrolment in this unit is not available via WES. Course Director approval is required prior to enrolment and approval will be dependent upon completion of 96 credit points (including appropriate units for the area of work placement) with an overall average of 65% for all units undertaken.

Leader(s): Dr Vaughan Reimers

Offered

Gippsland Second semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

A capstone major project, demonstrating the skills and knowledge acquired by the student during the course. It can be a practical on-the-job study or an in-depth study of a sports event management issue through research. It will involve the submission of a major written report and a class presentation.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 100%

Contact hours

No formal classes

Prerequisites

MGW2150, MKX3200 and MKW2420

Co-requisites

Students must be enrolled in course 3926 to undertake this unit

Leader(s): Dr Glen Croy

Offered

Berwick Full year 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

A capstone major project, demonstrating the skills and knowledge acquired by the student during the course. It can be a practical on-the-job study or an in-depth study of a business related issue through research. It will involve the submission of a major written report and a class presentation.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• acquire skills in written and oral communication negotiation, teamwork and change management
• develop the capacity for critical thought and analysis, problem solving, inquiry and research, taking into account professional ethics and moral and social responsibility
• develop the capacity for leadership, entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation
• develop the capacity to integrate and synthesise knowledge from different disciplines to achieve innovative solutions to business problems.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 100%

Prerequisites

Completion of 96 credit points of study

Prohibitions

BEW3100, BEW3200

Leader(s): Malaysia: Mr Thomas O'Daniel

Offered

Not offered in 2009

Synopsis

The nature of projects, their management, and their costs and benefits. Applications of systems analysis and design to the process of change. Fundamentals of change management practices. Other issues include the tools of project management (Pert charts, critical path analysis, computation of the float, contingency factors, Gantt charts, and task monitoring); software management; cost benefit analysis including rate of return and risk analysis; implementation of projects; the nature, sociology and psychology of change; change management and radical business process re-engineering.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 50%
Examination (3 hours): 50%

Contact hours

Two 1-hour lectures and one 1-hour tutorial per week

Prerequisites

MKW1601 and GCO2601

Leader(s): Professor Ron Davison

Offered

Berwick First semester 2009 (Day)
Gippsland First semester 2009 (Day)
Sunway First semester 2009 (Day)
Sunway Second semester 2009 (Day)
Peninsula First semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

On completion of this subject students will be able to formulate a research proposal, develop hypotheses, identify appropriate research methodologies and prepare a research thesis. Topics include: the philosophy of qualitative/interpretive and quantitative research; qualitative/interpretive and quantitative research designs; quasi-experiments and experiments in the field; interview-based research designs; ethnography/participant observation and case study research design; documentation and observation research design; context/textual data analysis; ethical issues in research; research report writing.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 100%

Leader(s): Professor Ron Davison

Offered

Sunway Second semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

An in-depth introduction to quantitative research methods. This subject is one of two that together supply the research methodology skills and knowledge necessary for students to complete an independent research project at the honours level. It provides a comprehensive coverage of quantitative research methodologies. Topics include: survey studies/correlational field studies; forms of regression; analysis of variances; discriminant analysis; factor analysis; non-parametric statistics.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 40%
Examination (3 hours): 60%

Prohibitions

ETW2111, ETX2111, ETX2121

Offered

Berwick First semester 2009 (Day)
Berwick Second semester 2009 (Day)
Gippsland First semester 2009 (Day)
Sunway First semester 2009 (Day)
Sunway Second semester 2009 (Day)
Peninsula First semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

Under the guidance of an academic supervisor, this subject allows a student to independently gain in-depth discipline knowledge in a selected area of business and commerce as a foundation to the completion of an honours project. The student will complete a prescribed list of readings, undertake further independent literature studies, and complete other learning activities and assessments considered appropriate for the selected field of study.

Assessment

Assessment will be through a combination of assignments, examinations, and written reports appropriate to the selected area of study and associated activities.

Offered

Berwick First semester 2009 (Day)
Berwick Second semester 2009 (Day)
Gippsland First semester 2009 (Day)
Sunway First semester 2009 (Day)
Sunway Second semester 2009 (Day)
Peninsula First semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

Under the guidance of an academic supervisor, this subject allows a student to independently gain in-depth discipline knowledge in a selected area of business and commerce as a foundation to the completion of an honours research project. The student will complete a prescribed list of readings, undertake further independent literature studies, and complete other learning activities and assessments considered appropriate for the selected field of study.

Assessment

Assignments, examinations and written reports appropriate to the selected area of study and associated activities

Prerequisites

Students must be enrolled in course 3169 to undertake this unit

Offered

Berwick First semester 2009 (Day)
Berwick Second semester 2009 (Day)
Gippsland Second semester 2009 (Day)
Sunway First semester 2009 (Day)
Sunway Second semester 2009 (Day)
Peninsula Second semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

Students work under the guidance of a supervisor to plan, carry out, and report on an original research project that addresses a significant issues in business; this research project is likely to have substantial practical outcomes or implications; as well, it is hoped that students and supervisors will publish the work in an appropriate journal.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 100%

Prerequisites

BEW4000

Offered

Berwick Full year 2009 (Day)
Berwick Second semester to First semester 2009 (Day)
Sunway Full year 2009 (Day)
Sunway Second semester to First semester 2009 (Day)
Peninsula Full year 2009 (Day)
Peninsula Second semester to First semester 2009 (Day)
South Africa Full year 2009 (Day)
South Africa Second semester to First semester 2009 (Day)

Leader(s): Mr Roger Gamble

Offered

Clayton First semester 2009 (Day)
Clayton Second semester 2009 (Day)
Prato Winter semester 2009 (On-campus block of classes)

Synopsis

An introduction to legal studies and to the legal system of Australia with special emphasis on commercial aspects. The laws of negligence as it affects business and the professional is introduced, and aspects of the law of contract, consumer law, agency, partnership, trusts and an introduction to companies of relevance to commerce.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• identify the essential features of the Australian legal and political system and compare and contrast the two principal law-making institutions--the courts and the parliaments--and the laws they make
• describe and analyse some of the legal concepts that underpin commercial activity in Australia and describe the different conceptual bases of legal liability
• describe and analyse key areas of normative commercial law such as contract law, tort law, agency law and business organisations
• conduct basic legal research using basic primary and secondary sources
• critically analyse a hypothetical legal problem and clearly and coherently advise a hypothetical client on the relevant legal issues that are raised in that problem and support the advice by reference to primary sources.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 40%
Examination (3 hours): 60%

Contact hours

Two 1-hour lectures and one 1-hour tutorial per week

Prohibitions

BTF1010, BTW1200, LAW2100

Leader(s): Mr Andrew Field

Offered

Clayton First semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

The law affecting Australian enterprises engaged in international business. Topics include international trade conventions; import and export procedures; carriage of goods by sea and air; bills of lading and the Hague-Visby rules; finance of international trade; payment and documentary credits; the use of negotiable instruments in international trade; international commercial arbitration and marine insurance.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• examine international trade law scenarios
• identify legal problems and risks which arise in those scenarios in relation to the global trading system, contracts, carriage of goods, payments and dispute resolution
• describe the relevant law which may apply to those problems
• analyse and apply the law to those problems and predict possible legal outcomes.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 30%
Examination (3 hours, open-book): 70%

Contact hours

3 hours per week

Prerequisites

BTC1110 or BTC2110 or equivalent

Prohibitions

BTF3201, BTW3201

Leader(s): Mr Abe Herzberg

Offered

Clayton First semester 2009 (Day)
Clayton Second semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

Topics include the Corporations Act 2001 scheme; the role and functions of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission; the concept of limited liability; the effect of registration; the corporate constitution; the company's relationship with outsiders; share and loan capital; regulation of public fund raising; duties of directors; rights of shareholders and minority shareholder protection; forms of corporate insolvency administrations, particularly as they affect creditors, officers and shareholders.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• identify the important elements in the internal and external regulation of companies and how they may be used
• analyse hypothetical case studies and formulate a legal argument by the application of statute and case law
• critically evaluate the effectiveness of aspects of corporate law in the context of the changing needs of the community.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 30%
Examination (3.5 hours -- includes 0.5 hours for reading and note taking): 70%

Contact hours

Two 1-hour lectures and one 1-hour tutorial per week

Prerequisites

BTC1110 or BTC2110 or equivalent

Prohibitions

BTW2220, BTF2220, LAW4171

Leader(s): Dr Anthony Forsyth

Offered

Clayton Second semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

The unit introduces students to contemporary developments in labour law, employment law, discrimination law and occupational health and safety law. It aims to develop knowledge and skills and understanding of the practical application of these areas of the law in Australian workplaces.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• describe and analyse a wide range of legal issues affecting the workplace (outlined below)
• apply legal principles to a range of hypothetical scenarios, in order to demonstrate practical understanding of legal issues at the workplace (building on strategic problem solving skills from business law)
• evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the principles underpinning workplace law
• critically assess the law's role and impact on the employment relationship
• critically evaluate current issues in the media involving legal regulation of the workplace.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 40%
Examination (3 hours, open-book): 60%

Contact hours

3 hours per week

Prerequisites

BTC1110

Leader(s): Mr Wayne Gumley

Offered

Clayton First semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

This unit examines the evolution of regulatory strategies for environmental protection in response to systemic crises such as climate change and natural resource depletion, from traditional 'command and control' approaches to more recent behavioural and market based strategies, with particular focus upon the increasing recognition of the principles of ecologically sustainable development by courts and legislators.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• understand and explain the international law principles of ecologically sustainable development
• understand and explain the extent of integration of those principles into Australian environmental regulation, at both national and state government levels, and their recognition in Australian common law
• identify and analyse emerging trends in regulation for sustainability with particular focus upon the risks and opportunities those trends may present for Australian business enterprises
• use appropriate industry based case studies to demonstrate a sound understanding of the risks and opportunities presented by sustainability regulation.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 50%
Examination: 50%

Contact hours

39 hours over 13 weeks

Leader(s): Associate Professor Paul Latimer

Offered

Clayton First semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

This unit involves a study of the legal framework regulating the securities and futures industries, which derives from the interaction of statute law, case law, ASIC releases, ASX and SFE rules. It focuses on the regulation of financial services intermediaries by statute, case law and administration by ASIC, the ASX and the SFE. Topics include market regulation by ASIC, the ASX and the SFE, liability for misstatements and non-disclosure about financial products, licensing of dealers and investment advisers, the relationship of broker and client, conduct of securities and futures business.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• define the purposes and scope of the regulation of financial markets
• analyse the co-regulatory roles of ASIC and ASX
• describe the effect of misleading or deceptive conduct in financial markets
• evaluate the impact of co-regulation on the financial services industry
• critically analyse the regulation of market manipulation and insider trading.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 30%
Examination (3 hours): 70%

Contact hours

3 hours per week

Prerequisites

BTC1110

Prohibitions

BTF3091

Leader(s): Mr Ken Devos (Semester 1), Mr Anthony Van Der Westhuysen (Semester 2)

Offered

Clayton First semester 2009 (Day)
Clayton Second semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

An introduction to Australian taxation. Topics include assessable income; capital gains; GST; FBT; allowable deductions including repairs, deductions and substantiation; taxation of companies and their shareholders; administrative provisions including objections, appeals and self-assessment; and anti-avoidance provisions.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• analyse and apply the appropriate taxation law for various income and capital receipts in given fact situations
• analyse and apply the appropriate taxation law for both general and specific deductions in given fact situations
• calculate the taxable value of various fringe benefits
• define and apply the principles of the imputation system at both the shareholder and company level
• describe the major elements of both the GST and Tax Administration systems.

Assessment

Clayton campus -- Within semester assessment: 30%
Examination (3 hours, open-book): 70%
Prato -- Within semester assessment: 30%
Examination (3 hours, open-book): 70%

Contact hours

Clayton - 3 hours per week

Prato - block mode

Prerequisites

BTC1110

Prohibitions

BTF3931, BTW3221

Leader(s): Dr Janine Pascoe

Offered

Clayton Second semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

Aspects of the legal environment that affect financial decisions, transactions and relationships. Topics covered are chosen from the laws regulating the financing implications of different forms of business organisation; financial institutions and the financial institutions/customer relationship; cheques; electronic transactions; other negotiable instruments; the laws regulating business finance and security; consumer credit; guarantees and bankruptcy.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• explain the legal and regulatory framework applicable to the banking and finance sector
• analyse and apply the legal concepts underlying banking and financial transactions
• analyse and apply the legal principles relating to the rights and obligations of those invlved in banking and finance
• have developed a legal perspective to assist in decision-making in areas involving banking and finance
• to provide the legal background for the resolution of business problems involving banking and finance.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 25%
Examination (3 hours plus 30 minutes reading and noting, open-book): 75%

Contact hours

Two 1-hour lectures and one 1-hour tutorial per week

Prerequisites

BTC1110 or BTC2110 and BTC2210 or BTC2213

Leader(s): Dr Janine Pascoe

Offered

Clayton First semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

The legal framework which operates in relation to marketing decisions and practice. The impact of common law, legislation and self-regulating codes of practice in the market place. Particular topics include intellectual property rights, product development and promotion, product safety and quality, the regulation of unfair and anti-competitive conduct, franchising and electronic marketing and the law.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• identify and analyse the consumer protection laws and apply those laws to a range of marketing and advertising strategies
• identify and analyse the laws protecting intellectual property and apply those laws to the development and marketing of new products and ideas
• identify, analyse and apply the laws regulating a range of competition practices including pricing and distribution
• develop an ability to research and critically evaluate developments in marketing law.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 30%
Examination (3.5 hours, open-book): 70%

Contact hours

3 hours contact per week

Prerequisites

BTC1110

Prohibitions

BTF3181, BTW3281, MKC3300

Leader(s): Mr Anthony van der Westhuysen

Offered

Clayton Second semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

Taxation of business income and abnormal receipts. Business tax reform including the Goods and Services Tax and Ralph Committee reforms. Tax planning issues on acquisition and disposal of a business. Remuneration planning, retirement and estate planning.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• describe the taxation issues associated with specific regimes including the Alienation of Personal Services Income Regime, the Simplified Tax System and the PAYG Systems
• analyse the tax frameworks that apply when conducting a business through Companies, Trusts Partnerships or Sole Proprietors
• analyse business transactions in the context of the Goods and Services Tax
• apply the appropriate taxation rules that govern purchases and sales of a business.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 30%
Examination (3 hours, open-book): 70%

Contact hours

3 hours per week

Prerequisites

BTC3150

Prohibitions

BTF3951, BTW3242

Leader(s): Dr Janine Pascoe

Offered

Clayton Second semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

Aspects of the legal environment that affect financial decisions, transactions and relationships. Topics covered are chosen from the laws regulating the financing implications of different forms of business organisation; financial institutions and the financial institutions/customer relationship; cheques; electronic transactions; other negotiable instruments; the laws regulating business finance and security; consumer credit; guarantees and bankruptcy.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• understand the legal and regulatory framework applicable to the banking and finance sector
• analyse and apply the legal concepts underlying banking and financial transactions
• analyse and apply the legal principles relating to the rights and obligations of those involved in banking and finance
• have developed a legal perspective to assist in decision-making in areas involving banking and finance
• to provide the legal background for the resolution of business problems involving banking and finance.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 25%
Examination (3.5 hours, open-book): 75%

Contact hours

Two 1-hour lectures and one 1-hour tutorial per week

Prerequisites

BTC1110 or BTC2110 or equivalent and BTC2210 or BTC2213 or equivalent

Prohibitions

BTC3200

Leader(s): Dr Janine Pascoe

Offered

Clayton First semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

The legal framework which operates in relation to marketing decisions and practice. The impact of common law, legislation and self-regulating codes of practice in the market place. Particular topics include intellectual property rights, product development and promotion, product safety and quality, the regulation of unfair and anti-competitive conduct, franchising and electronic marketing and the law.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• identify and analyse the consumer protection laws and apply those laws to a range of marketing and advertising strategies
• identify and analyse the laws protecting intellectual property and apply those laws to the development and marketing of new products and ideas
• identify, analyse and apply the laws regulating a range of competition practices including pricing and distribution
• Develop an ability to research and critically evaluate developments in marketing law.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 30%
Final examination (3.5 hours, open-book): 70%

Contact hours

Two 1-hour lectures and one 1-hour tutorial per week

Prerequisites

BTC1110 or BTC2110 or equivalent

Prohibitions

BTC3300

Leader(s): Mr Tony van der Westhuysen

Offered

Clayton Second semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

Taxation of business income and abnormal receipts. Business tax reform including the Goods and Services Tax and Ralph Committee reforms. Tax planning issues on acquisition and disposal of a business. Remuneration planning, retirement and estate planning.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• describe the taxation issues associated with specific regimes including the Alienation of Personal Services Income Regime, the Simplified Tax System and the PAYG Systems
• analyse the tax frameworks that apply when conducting a business through Companies, Trusts Partnerships or Sole Proprietors
• analyse business transactions in the context of the Goods and Services Tax
• apply the appropriate taxation rules that govern purchases and sales of a business.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 30%
Examination (3 hours, open-book): 70%

Prerequisites

BTC3150

Prohibitions

BTC3350

Leader(s): Ms Shelley Marshall

Offered

Caulfield First semester 2009 (Day)
Caulfield First semester 2009 (Evening)
Caulfield Second semester 2009 (Day)
Prato Winter semester 2009 (On-campus block of classes)

Synopsis

Liability for defective products; liability for misleading advice or information; contract law; agency law; partnership law; introduction to company law; company officers' duties.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• examine common commercial law scenarios relating to: the supply of defective goods and services; contract disputes; misrepresentations; agency relationships; partnership law; and company law
• identify legal problems and risks which arise in those scenarios
• describe the laws relevant to those scenarios
• analyse and apply the laws to predict possible legal outcomes.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 40%
Examination (2 hours and 30 minutes): 60%

Contact hours

3 hours per week

Prerequisites

Students enrolled in course code 0816 must be granted permission to undertake this unit.

Prohibitions

BTC1110, BTW1200

Leader(s): Ms Antoinette Sernia

Offered

Caulfield First semester 2009 (Day)
Caulfield First semester 2009 (Evening)
Caulfield Second semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

Topics include the separate legal entity status of companies and the concept of limited liability; the effect of registration; the corporate constitution; the company's relationship with outsiders; corporate management incorporating extensive consideration of directors' duties; share capital; regulation of public fund raising; members' remedies incorporating statutory remedies and common law rights of action; members' meetings; forms of corporate insolvency administrations; trusts, incorporating the role of trustees and the rights of beneficiaries.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• demonstrate an understanding of the significance and functions of corporations, and trusts, as legal structures that facilitate the carrying on of business
• identify, explain and apply legislation and case law to the internal and external regulation of corporations, and the operations of trusts
• develop skills in legal problem solving and analyse legal problems relating to corporations and trusts.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 30%
Examination (3 hours, open-book): 70%

Contact hours

3 hours per week

Prerequisites

BTF1010

Prohibitions

BTC2210, BTW2220

Leader(s): Dr Gerald Acquaah-Gaisie

Offered

Caulfield Second semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

An overview of conduct that constitutes criminality in the business world. It draws together from the various areas of business law and taxation provisions governing inappropriate conduct within corporate entities which have the potential to attract criminal and/or other serious sanctions. It discusses the mechanisms for detecting and penalising such offences and the possible penalties.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• describe the nature and causes of corporate crime
• identify various types of corporate criminality
• identify the laws that govern corporate criminality
• describe the penalties for the various types of corporate criminality
• formulate and implement a compliance program to minimise criminal and/or other misconduct in a given corporation.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 30%
Examination (3 hours, open-book): 70%

Contact hours

One 2-hour lecture and one 1-hour tutorial per week

Prerequisites

BTF1010 or equivalent

Prohibitions

BTW2223

Leader(s): Mr Rhett Martin

Offered

Caulfield First semester 2009 (Day)
Caulfield Second semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

The bank-customer relationship; types of account; current issues in banking law; negotiable instruments including cheques and bills of exchange; the duties and responsibilities of the paying bank and collecting bank; negotiable and allied instruments in international trade; electronic funds transfer.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• describe the key elements of the banker customer relationship
• critically analyse the main features of negotiable instruments and their uses
• define the various types of letters of credit and evaluate their effectiveness in international transactions
• describe the structure of the payments system in Australia with specific reference to the use of electronic payments and credit cards
• evaluate key current developments within the banking system in Australia based on knowledge gained within the course.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 30%
Examination (3 hours, open-book): 70%

Contact hours

3 hours per week

Prerequisites

BTF1010

Leader(s): Ms Anne O'Rourke

Offered

Caulfield First semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

Legal implications of staff-management decisions. Individual employer-employee relationship; contract of employment; wages-work bargain; recruitment law; discrimination law; termination law including unfair dismissals; mutuality of legal rights and obligations; health and safety law in the workplace; vicarious liability; industrial action and constitutional considerations.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• extend their knowledge and comprehension of the legal framework governing workplace relations in Australia
• evaluate the principles underlying employment laws and assess the law's impact on the employment relationship
• demonstrate a working knowledge of employment law issues through the application of legal principles to a range of hypothetical scenarios
• identify and analyse current issues involving legal regulation of the workplace.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 40%
Examination (3 hours, open-book): 60%

Contact hours

3 hours per week

Prerequisites

BTF1010

Prohibitions

BTW2241, BTW3241

Leader(s): Associate Professor Paul Latimer

Offered

Caulfield First semester 2009 (Evening)

Synopsis

This unit involves a study of the legal framework regulating the securities and futures industries which derives from the interaction of statute law, case law, ASIC releases, ASX and SFE rules. It focuses on the regulation of financial services, intermediaries by statute, case law and administration by ASIC, ASX and SFE. Topics include market regulation by ASIC, the ASX and the SFE, liability for misstatements and non-disclosure about financial products, licensing of dealers and investment advisers, the relationship of broker and client, conduct of securities and futures business.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• define the purposes and scope of the regulation of financial markets
• analyse the co-regulatory roles of ASIC and ASX
• describe the effect of misleading or deceptive conduct in financial market
• evaluate the impact of co-regulation on the financial services industry
• critically analyse the regulation of market manipulation and insider trading.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 30%
Examination (3 hours, open-book): 70%

Contact hours

3 hours per week

Prerequisites

Students must have passed 24 points to undertake this unit.

Prohibitions

BTC3130

Leader(s): Mr Wayne Gumley

Offered

Caulfield First semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

An introduction to environmental law in Australia with special emphasis on its application to business and development projects. Covering

1. sources of environmental law including property rights, common law liability, government responsibilities, international obligations;
2. specific regulatory schemes for management of land, water, air pollution, industrial waste, product standards and taxation concessions;
3. non-coercive strategies and other recent developments, green taxes, emission trading and voluntary agreements.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• identify and apply the various sources of environmental and planning law in Australia and to explain the role of various government agencies
• analyse the impact of selected environmental laws upon various types of business enterprises and development projects
• recommend and explain appropriate strategies to enable businesses and developers to minimise penalties for violation of environmental laws
• analyse emerging trends in environmental law.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 50%
Examination (3 hours, open-book): 50%

Contact hours

3 hours per week. A full day field trip is generally held early in the semester.

Leader(s): Mr Mark Bender

Offered

Caulfield Second semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

The legal framework which operates in relation to marketing decisions and practice. Topics discussed include unfair trading practices, intellectual property rights (patents, trade marks, copyright and designs), anti-competitive conduct and new marketing practices. The unit places the laws controlling unfair and anti-competitive practices within the wider economic context.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• identify and analyse the consumer protection laws and apply those laws to a range of marketing and advertising strategies
• identify and analyse the laws protecting intellectual property and apply those laws to the development and marketing of new products and ideas
• identify, analyse and apply the laws regulating a range of competition practices including pricing and distribution
• critically evaluate a contemporary marketing law development and write a research paper on the topic.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 30%
Examination (3 hours, open-book): 70%

Prerequisites

BTF1010 or PMM1010

Prohibitions

BTC3300, BTW3281, MCK3300

Leader(s): Professor Chris Arup

Offered

Caulfield Second semester 2009 (Day)
Prato Winter semester 2009 (On-campus block of classes)

Synopsis

The law affecting Australian enterprises engaged in international business. Topics include international trade conventions; import and export procedures; carriage of goods by sea and air; bills of lading and the Hague-Visby rules; finance of international trade; payment and documentary credits; the use of negotiable instruments in international trade; international commercial arbitration and marine insurance.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• define the purpose and scope of the international legal framework in which trade between nations takes place
• be able to recognise and understand the form and nature of documents used in international trade including contracts of sale, shipping documentation, invoices, insurance policies, bills of exchange, documentary collections and letters of credit
• be able to identify and understand legal issues in an international trade context
• be able to apply the laws relating to international contracts of sale, international carriage of goods and finance of international trade in a variety of situations
• be able to write a coherent piece of advice discussing the legal issues arising in an international trade dispute.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 30%
Examination (3 hours, open-book): 70%

Contact hours

3 hours per week

Prerequisites

BTF1010 or equivalent

Prohibitions

BTC2190, BTW3201

Leader(s): Mr Brendan Sweeney

Offered

Caulfield First semester 2009 (Day)
Caulfield Second semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

This unit offers students an option to complete a unit by way of a research project. The project requires a student to undertake guided research on a topic taken from a business law and taxation unit. Students must complete a paper of between 5000 to 8000 words.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• identify a development in the contemporary commercial environment that presents business law or taxation issues
• research, analyse and evaluate those issues
• construct a framework to discuss the results
• prepare a research paper.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 100%

Contact hours

12 hours per week private research

Prerequisites

Student must have passed 72 credit points from the Faculty of Business and Economics to undertake this unit.

Leader(s): Mrs Mei-Ling Barkoczy

Offered

Caulfield First semester 2009 (Day)
Caulfield Second semester 2009 (Day)
Caulfield Second semester 2009 (Evening)

Synopsis

Assessable income and exempt income; deductions; special classes of taxpayers including trusts, partnerships and companies; objections and appeals; capital gains tax; fringe benefits tax; superannuation; eligible termination payments; tax collection; goods and services tax.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• identify and explain the constitutional and administrative framework within which the federal taxation system operates
• calculate income tax and goods and services tax liabilities
• identify and analyse fundamental tax concepts such as the distinction between income and capital
• apply legislative provisions and judicial principles to practical taxation problems and provide supporting evaluations through the application of statutory and case law principles.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 30%
Examination (3 hours, open-book): 70%

Contact hours

3 hours per week

Prerequisites

BTF1010

Prohibitions

BTC3150, BTW3221

Leader(s): Mr Tony van der Westhuysen

Offered

Caulfield Second semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

Taxation of business income and abnormal receipts. Business tax reform including the Goods and Service Tax and Ralph Committee reforms. Tax planning issues on acquisition and disposal of a business. Remuneration planning, retirement and estate planning.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• describe the taxation issues associated with specific regimes including the Alienation of Personal Services Income Regime, the Simplified Tax System and the PAYG Systems
• analyse the tax frameworks that apply when conducting a business through Companies, Trusts Partnerships or Sole Proprietors
• analyse business transactions in the context of the Goods and Services Tax
• apply the appropriate taxation rules that govern purchases and sales of a business.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 30%
Examination (3 hours, open-book): 70%

Prerequisites

BTF2931 or BTF3931

Prohibitions

BTC3350, BTW3242

Leader(s): Dr Bill Orow

Offered

Not offered in 2009

Synopsis

This unit provides an analysis of the law relating to the concepts of income and deductions, with a focus on the development of common law principles.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• analyse the nature and scope of the concepts of income at common law
• explain the rights and entitlements of taxpayers to deductions
• identify developments, statutory and judicial, pertaining to the notion of income
• identify developments, statutory and judicial, pertaining to the entitlement of taxpayers to deductions
• apply the manner and methods employed in the application of such principles to practical situations.

Assessment

Within semester assessment (optional): 30%
Examination (3 hours, open-book/take-home): 70% or 100%

Contact hours

3 hours per week on-campus and/or intensive mode over summer (both 39 hours in total)

Prerequisites

BTX9651

Prohibitions

BTF5200

Leader(s): Dr Bill Orow

Offered

Not offered in 2009

Synopsis

This unit provides a comprehensive and in-depth analysis of the legal principles that govern the taxation of trusts and partnerships and their application to specific commercial transactions.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• understand the manner in which the taxation system applies to trusts and partnerships
• develop a sound knowledge of the statutory and case law as well as administrative rulings of the Australian Taxation Office that relate to the taxation of trusts and partnerships
• apply the relevant principles to specific trust and partnership arrangements or transactions involving trusts and partnerships
• conduct relevant research of possible new developments in the law relating to the taxation of trusts and partnerships.

Assessment

Within semester assessment (optional): 30%
Examination (3 hours, open-book/take-home): 70% or 100%

Contact hours

3 hours per week on-campus and/or intensive mode over summer (both 39 hours in total)

Prerequisites

BTX9651

Prohibitions

BTF5210

Leader(s): Dr Bill Orow

Offered

Caulfield Summer semester B 2009 (On-campus block of classes)

Synopsis

An analysis of the law relating to the taxation of companies and shareholders, taxation of dividends, imputation, losses, debt and equity rules, consolidation of corporate groups, liquidations, capital reductions, share buy backs and international aspects of corporate taxation.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• identify and analyse taxation issues which arise in relation to companies and shareholders under the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 (Cth)
• conduct research into, and give an informed view on the likely development of the law relating to, the taxation of companies and shareholders.

Assessment

Within semester assessment (optional): 30%
Examination (3 hours, open-book/take-home): 70% or 100%

Contact hours

3 hours per week on-campus and/or intensive mode over summer (both 39 hours in total)

Prerequisites

BTX9651

Prohibitions

BTF5520

Leader(s): Dr Bill Orow

Offered

Not offered in 2009

Synopsis

Topics include CGT assets, CGT events, calculation of net capital gains and losses, rollovers, application of the CGT regime to trusts, companies, shareholders, partnerships, and international aspects of the CGT regime.

Objectives

Upon completion of this unit, students should be able to: understand the manner in which the taxation system brings into account gains of a capital nature; develop a sound knowledge of the statutory and case law as well as administrative rulings of the Australian Taxation Office that relate to the taxation of capital gains; apply the relevant principles to specific commercial transactions whether in the form of business or investment that general capital gains; and conduct relevant research of possible new developments in the law relating to the taxation of capital gains. More specifically, students would develop a sound understanding of the nature and operation of CGT events that operate subject to taxation capital gains, the manner in which capital gains are calculated and the availability of rollovers and other concessions.

Assessment

Within semester assessment (optional): 30%
Examination (3 hours, open-book/take-home): 70% or 100%

Contact hours

3 hours per week on-campus and/or intensive mode over summer (both 39 hours in total)

Prerequisites

BTX9651

Prohibitions

BTF5230

Leader(s): Ken Devos

Offered

Caulfield First semester 2009 (Evening)

Synopsis

This unit provides a detailed analysis of the taxation of employees and contractors in Australia. Topics include: employer/employee relationship; independent contractors, PAYG collection system; payroll tax and other levies, employee deductions; fringe benefits; superannuation, share schemes and remuneration planning.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• explain the taxation implications of income received by employees and independent contractors in the workplace
• describe the administrative aspects of the income tax system
• explain the tax implications of superannuation and employee share schemes provided by employers
• calculate the tax position of employees and independent contractors in the workplace who receive fringe benefits and other types of remuneration.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 30%
Examination (3 hours, open-book/take-home): 70% or 100%

Contact hours

3 hours per week on-campus and/or intensive mode over summer (both 39 hours in total)

Prerequisites

BTF3931

Prohibitions

BTF5240

Leader(s): Dr Bill Orow

Offered

Caulfield Second semester 2009 (Evening)

Synopsis

This unit examines the operation of anti-avoidance rules such as Part IVA, dividend and trust stripping rules, capital and dividend streaming rules and taxation issues that relate to and arise from business taxation planning including the use of various business entities and managing the timing and character of receipts and payments.

Objectives

The learning objectives of this unit are to:

• examine tax planning principles and methods including uses of alternative business structures and managing receipts and payments
• examine the concepts and principles (both statutory and common law) employed to deal with tax avoidance
• explain the risks associated with the potential application of the general and specific anti-avoidance rules.

Assessment

Within semester assessment (optional): 30%
Examination (3 hours, open-book): 70% or 100%.

Contact hours

3 hours per week on-campus and/or intensive mode over summer (both 39 hours in total).

Prerequisites

BTF3931

Prohibitions

BTF5260

Leader(s): Dr Bill Orow

Offered

Caulfield First semester 2009 (Evening)

Synopsis

This unit examines the assessment process and the legal avenues available to taxpayers to challenge an assessment. Within that continuum, this unit will examine the self-assessment process, ruling system, Commissioners' access powers, duties of confidentiality and disclosure, taxpayers' rights to information and the objection and appeal process.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• develop a sound knowledge and understanding of the statutory, case law and administrative rulings that relate to the administration of the Australian taxation system
• conduct relevant research of possible new developments in the law relating to tax administration
• examine the assessment process and the legal avenues available to taxpayers to challenge an assessment
• examine the self-assessment system, ruling system (private and public), Commissioners' access powers, duties of confidentiality and disclosure, taxpayers rights to information and the objection and appeal process.

Assessment

Within semester assessment (optional): 30%
Examination (3 hours, open-book/take-home): 70% or 100%

Contact hours

3 hours per week on-campus and/or intensive mode over summer (both 39 hours in total)

Prerequisites

BTX9651

Prohibitions

BTF5260

Leader(s): Dr Bill Orow

Offered

Caulfield Second semester 2009 (Evening)

Synopsis

This unit provides an analysis of the taxation and regulatory regime relating to superannuation and retirement benefits.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• explain the superannuation system and regulatory regime in Australia
• explain taxation of superannuation benefits upon contribution and distribution
• identify planning issues and approaches to maximize superannuation and retirement benefits
• identify and evaluate developments and proposals for reform
• apply principles and methods.

Assessment

Within semester assessment (optional): 30%
Examination (3 hours, open-book/take-home): 70% or 100%

Contact hours

3 hours per week on-campus and/or intensive mode over summer (both 39 hours in total)

Prerequisites

BTX9651

Prohibitions

BTF5270

Leader(s): Dr Bill Orow

Offered

Caulfield Summer semester A 2009 (On-campus block of classes)

Synopsis

This unit examines the operation of the general residence and source rules, double taxation agreements, thin capitalisation rules, controlled foreign companies, Foreign Investment Funds, transfer of trusts, and a range of exemptions.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• understand the manner in which the taxation system applies to cross border arrangements and transactions
• develop a sound knowledge of the statutory and case law as well as administrative rulings of the Australian Taxation Office that relate to the taxation of international transactions and arrangements
• apply the relevant principles to specific transactions and arrangements involving foreign nationals
• conduct relevant research of possible new developments in the law relating to the taxation of international transactions
• examine the operation of the general residence and source rules, double taxation agreements, thin capitalisation rules, controlled foreign companies and a range of exemptions.

Assessment

Within semester assessment (optional): 30%
Examination (3 hours, open-book/take-home): 70% or 100%

Contact hours

3 hours per week on-campus and/or intensive mode over summer (both 39 hours in total)

Prerequisites

BTX9651

Prohibitions

BTF5280

Leader(s): Mr Tony van der Westhuysen

Offered

Not offered in 2009

Synopsis

This unit provides a detailed analysis of the various taxes that impact business transactions.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are:

• understand the constitutional and tax policy principles underlying business transactions taxes in Australia
• develop a sound knowledge of the statutory and case law as well as administrative rulings of the Australian Taxation Office and State Revenue Office that relate to these taxes, particularly the Goods and Services Tax (GST)
• apply the relevant principles to a range of specific business transactions involving liability for GST and other indirect taxes
• conduct relevant research of possible new developments in the law relating to GST and other indirect taxes.

Assessment

Within semester assessment (optional): 30%
Examination (3 hours, open-book/take-home): 70% or 100%

Contact hours

3 hours per week on-campus and/or intensive mode over summer (both 39 hours in total)

Prerequisites

BTF3931 or equivalent

Prohibitions

BTC3350, BTC4335, BTF5290

Leader(s): Dr Bill Orow

Offered

Caulfield First semester 2009 (Day)
Caulfield Second semester 2009 (Day)
Caulfield Full year 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

Under supervision, students are expected to undertake and report on an approved research project that addresses a contemporary and/or a significant issue in the field of taxation. Enrolment in BTF4310 Research project requires a student to submit a research proposal and have a supervisor appointed by the Course Director.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• conduct critical and analytical research at an advanced level in the field of taxation law
• present findings in writing in a manner that is logical and coherent.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 100%

Contact hours

12 hours per week private research and consultation with supervisor

Prerequisites

Permission required

Leader(s): Mr Michael McNamara (Berwick, Gippsland, Peninsula); Ms Elsa Singam, Ms Vanitha Karean (Malaysia)

Offered

Berwick First semester 2009 (Day)
Berwick Second semester 2009 (Day)
Gippsland First semester 2009 (Off-campus)
Gippsland Second semester 2009 (Day)
Gippsland Second semester 2009 (Off-campus)
Sunway First semester 2009 (Day)
Sunway Second semester 2009 (Day)
Singapore Second semester 2009 (Off-campus)
Peninsula First semester 2009 (Day)
Peninsula Second semester 2009 (Day)
Prato Winter semester 2009 (On-campus block of classes)

Synopsis

An introduction to legal studies and to the legal system of Australia with special emphasis on business aspects. The topics covered include: introduction to the Australian legal system; the tort of negligence with an emphasis on negligent misstatement; the law of contract; business structures, with particular emphasis on partnerships and corporations and the law of agency.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• examine and describe the structure of the Australian legal system
• examine and apply the law of negligence, with particular emphasis on the law of negligent misstatement
• examine and apply the law of contract, with particular emphasis on the formation and contents of contracts, matters affecting the validity of a contract, and remedies for breach of contract
• examine and apply the law of agency, with particular emphasis on its application to partnerships and corporations
• examine and analyse common business structures, with particular emphasis on partnerships and corporations.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 30%
Examination (open-book): 70%

Contact hours

One 2-hour lecture and one 1-hour tutorial per week

Prohibitions

BTC1110, BTF1010, BTW1201

Leader(s): Ms Nazreen Shaik-Peremanov

Offered

South Africa Second semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

An introduction to the South African legal system, its history, structure, sources of law and interpretation of statutes. Particular emphasis is placed on the law as it affects business. This includes the banking law on paying instruments and modes of payment. The laws of delict, contract and agency as they affect business are examined. The basic principles of the law of partnerships, companies and other bodies corporate are also introduced. Specific contracts, such as purchases and sales, leases, insurance and credit agreements are dealt with. This unit includes an introduction to various specific aspects of commercial law, including labour law, the law of unjust enrichment, the laws of trust, insolvency and administration of estates.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• describe and define the South African Legal system, its history, structure and sources of law
• explain the basic rules of statutory interpretation
• identify, discuss and analyse the application of the law of delict, contract, agency and unjustified enrichment to a range of situations in business
• identify, discuss and analyse the application of the law relating to modes of payment to a range of situations in business
• distinguish and interpret particular nominated contracts, and analyse and discuss the application of the rules of these nominated contracts to a range of situations in business and
• list, describe and explain various sundry aspects of commercial law that provide the necessary background for accountants and auditors in the business environment.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 30%
Examination (3 hours): 70%

Contact hours

One 2-hour lecture and one 1-hour tutorial per week

Leader(s): Mr Adrian Pilley

Offered

South Africa First semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

An introduction to the principles of the taxation of individuals, including an examination of: the basic calculation of income tax; the calculation of gross income; exempt income; allowable deductions; the calculation of net normal tax payable; salaried persons - receipts; fringe benefits; salaried persons -- specific deductions; Standard Income Tax on Employees (SITE); retirement benefits and investment income and royalties; capital gains tax. The basic principles relating to the taxation of farmers is also examined.

Objectives

The learning objectives of this unit are to:

• develop an understanding of the South African taxation system as it impacts on individuals
• develop the capacity to calculate the tax payable by individuals.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 30%
Examination: 70%

Contact hours

One 2-hour lecture and one 1-hour tutorial per week

Prerequisites

BTW1201

Leader(s): Mr Adrian Pilley

Offered

South Africa Second semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

An introduction to the principles of the taxation of businesses, including an examination of: value-added tax (VAT); capital allowances; business income and expenses; sole traders; partnerships; companies and close corporations; credit agreements and township developers; trust income; capital gains tax; donations tax and administrative procedures.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• develop an understanding of the South African taxation system as it impacts on businesses
• develop the capacity to calculate the tax payable by businesses
• develop an understanding of how the tax system differentiates between categories of businesses, such as sole traders, partnerships, companies, close corporations and trusts.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 30%
Examination (3 hours, open-book): 70%

Contact hours

One 2-hour lecture and one 1-hour tutorial per week

Prerequisites

BTW1201 and BTW2121

Leader(s): Mr Michael McNamara

Offered

Not offered in 2009

Synopsis

An examination is made of the basic principles of contract law which will then be applied to typical contracts found in the tourism industry. Other areas examined include booking conditions and tour brochures, misleading advertising and deceptive conduct, consumer complaints, the Travel Compensation Fund, travel and business insurance, responsibilities of travel agents and tour operators under the Travel Agents Act and the European Union Directive, employment law, and business practices.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• analyse and apply the formation and contents of contracts within tourism operations
• analyse and apply liability for negligence within tourism operations
• analyse and apply laws about consumer protection, insurance and employment, within tourism operations
• analyse and apply laws about tour and travel agency within tourism operations
• analyse and apply laws about planning and environmental issues to the development of tourism businesses
• critically evaluate the legal issues for the development and operation of a tourism business, and write a research paper on the topic.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 30%
Examination (3 hours, open-book): 70%

Contact hours

3 hours per week

Leader(s): Ms Nazreen Shaik-Peremanov

Offered

South Africa First semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

An examination of business entities law at an advanced level, with emphasis on the law of partnership, company law, the law of close corporations and the law of business trusts. An examination will also be made of the law relating to specific contracts, eg: contracts of purchase, sale and lease, property transactions and credit agreements. The law pertaining to suretyship, mortgage and pledge will be examined as will the law of agency.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• critically examine business entities law with particular emphasis on the law of partnership
• develop an understanding of the key issues in company law regarding contracts of purchase, sale and lease and property transactions
• examine and apply the laws pertaining to suretyship, mortgage and the law of agency.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 30 %
Examination: 70%

Contact hours

One 2-hour lecture and one 1-hour tutorial per week

Prerequisites

BTW1201

Leader(s): Ms Shanthy Rachagan

Offered

Sunway Second semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

The unit will focus on the law relating to corporate governance in Malaysia. It will begin with the need for good corporate governance in Malaysia and the factors that are involved in ensuring good corporate governance. It will focus on directors' duties and the need for the board to be independent of majority shareholders and their nominated directors and on the role that auditors and shareholders play in ensuring good corporate governance practices. The unit will also include the disclosure obligations of companies and how these rules are currently enforced. In all instances the essential elements of the law is examined, as are the implications of each law on business practice.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• define the concept of companies as legal entities
• explain the significance of companies as entities for carrying on business in Malaysia
• identify and critically evaluate how Malaysian legislation and relevant case law affects the internal and external regulation of companies
• Demonstrate an awareness of corporate legal theory and law reform.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 20%
Examination (3 hours): 80%

Contact hours

One 2-hour lecture and one 1-hour tutorial per week

Prerequisites

BTW1200

Prohibitions

BTC2213, BTC2210, BTW2220, BTF2220, LAW4171

Leader(s): Dr Ashraf Kazi, Ms Jennifer O'Reilly

Offered

Berwick Second semester 2009 (Day)
Gippsland Second semester 2009 (Day)
Gippsland Second semester 2009 (Off-campus)
Singapore Second semester 2009 (Off-campus)
Peninsula First semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

Topics include the Corporations Law scheme; the role and functions of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission; the concept of limited liability; the effect of registration; the corporate constitution; the company's relationship with outsiders; share and loan capital; regulation of public fund raising; duties of directors, officers and promoters; rights of members and minority shareholder protection; forms of corporate insolvency administrations, particularly as they affect creditors, officers and shareholders; trusts, trustees, beneficiaries and third parties.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• identify the important elements in the internal and external regulation of companies and how they may be used
• explain the nature of trusts, the way they operate, and the rights and obligations of people involved in or dealing with trusts
• analyse hypothetical case studies and formulate a legal argument by the application of statute and case law
• critically evaluate the effectiveness of aspects of corporate law in the context of the changing needs of the community.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 30%
Examination: 70%

Contact hours

One 2-hour lecture and one 1-hour tutorial per week

Prerequisites

BTW1200 or equivalent

Prohibitions

BTC2210, BTC2213, BTW2213, BTF2220, LAW4171

Leader(s): Dr Gerald Acquaah-Gaisie

Offered

Gippsland Second semester 2009 (Off-campus)

Synopsis

An overview of conduct that constitutes criminality in the business world. It draws together from the various areas of business law and taxation provisions governing inappropriate conduct within corporate entities, which have the potential to attract criminal and/or other serious sanctions. It discusses the mechanisms for detecting and penalising such offences and the possible penalties.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• describe the nature and causes of corporate crime
• identify various types of corporate criminality
• identify the laws that govern corporate criminality
• describe the penalties for the various types of corporate criminality
• formulate and implement a compliance program to minimise criminal and/or other misconduct in a given corporation.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 30%
Examination (3 hours, open-book): 70%

Contact hours

One 2-hour lecture and one 1-hour tutorial per week

Prerequisites

BTW1200 or equivalent

Prohibitions

BTF2223

Leader(s): Dr Vanitha Karean

Offered

Sunway First semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

The unit introduces students to the legal framework within which individual employment relations operate in Malaysia and Australia. Topics include important workplace relations issues like the rights and duties underpinning the contract of employment, unfair dismissal, constructive dismissal, discrimination and occupational health and safety law. Selected International Labour Organisation Conventions are analysed in relation to aspects of current employment protection law and policy.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• describe the legal framework that regulates the relationship between employer and employee in Malaysia and Australia
• define and analyse the scope of the contract of employment
• evaluate the nature of rights and duties within the employment relationship
• discuss the various types of workplace dismissals
• explain the role and influence of the International Labour Organisation.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 30%
Examination (3 hours, open-book): 70%

Contact hours

3 hours per week

Prerequisites

BTW1200 or equivalent

Prohibitions

BTC2720, BTF2991, BTW3241

Leader(s): Ms Elsa Satkunasingam

Offered

Sunway First semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

The Unit will focus on the law relating to corporate governance in Malaysia. It will begin with the need for good corporate governance in Malaysia and the factors that are involved in ensuring good corporate governance. It will focus on directors duties and the need for the board to be independent of majority shareholders and their nominated directors and on the role that auditors and shareholders play in ensuring good corporate governance practices. The Unit will also include the disclosure obligations of companies and how these rules are currently enforced. In all instances the essential elements of the law is examined, as are the implications of each law on business practice.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• identify the political, economic and social factors that contribute towards corporate governance in public listed and government linked companies in Malaysia
• describe and analyse the role that directors, auditors, creditors and shareholders as well as the public play in achieving high corporate governance standards
• demonstrate awareness of latest developments upholding good corporate governance in foreign jurisdictions
• critically analyse the impact if these latest developments are implemented in Malaysia.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 30%
Examination (3 hours, open-book) 70%

Contact hours

One 2 hour lecture and one 1-hour tutorial per week

Prerequisites

BTW1200

Leader(s): Ms Haemala Thanasegaran

Offered

Sunway First semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

The topics are similar to those covered by the equivalent Australian income tax law unit BTC3150, but lectures and tutorials will concentrate on the legislation and case law which applies in Malaysia. Topics include background to the Malaysian legal and taxation systems; income for businesses, individuals, companies, partnerships and trusts; deductions; capital allowances (the Malaysian equivalent of depreciation); personal reliefs; tax incentives; the limited capital gains tax; tax administration and tax avoidance.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• describe the taxation concept of income
• critically assess the major income and deduction components comprising taxable income
• identify the main taxable entitles and calculate how they are taxed
• analyse and apply the main administrative aspects of income tax law
• demonstrate an awareness of current income tax developments in Malaysia.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 20%
Examination (3 hours, open-book): 80%

Prohibitions

BTC3153

Leader(s): Mr Andrew Field; Ms Haemala Thanasegaran (Malaysia)

Offered

Gippsland Second semester 2009 (Off-campus)
Sunway Second semester 2009 (Day)
Peninsula Second semester 2009 (Day)
Prato Winter semester 2009 (On-campus block of classes)

Synopsis

The law affecting Australian enterprises engaged in international business. Topics include international trade conventions; import and export procedures; the sale of goods; carriage of goods by sea and air; bills of lading and the Hague-Visby rules; finance of international trade; payment and documentary credits; the use of negotiable instruments in international trade; international commercial arbitration and marine insurance.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• examine and analyse the international legal framework in which trade between nations take place
• identify and analyse the legal issues in an international trade context
• identify, analyse and apply the laws to solve legal problems that arise from international commercial transactions
• identify and analyse the laws relating to international contracts of sale, finance of international trading transactions, international carriage of goods, insurance in international trade and dispute resolution in international trade
• identify and analyse the form and nature of documents used in international trade including contracts of sale, shipping documentation, invoices, insurance policies, bills of exchange, documentary collections and letter of credits.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 50%
Examination (3 hours, open-book): 50%

Contact hours

First semester, Peninsula

Prerequisites

BTW1200 or equivalent

Prohibitions

BTC2190, BTF3201

Leader(s): Mr Daniel Khoury (Semester 1); Mr Jonathan Teoh (Semester 2)

Offered

Berwick First semester 2009 (Day)
Gippsland First semester 2009 (Day)
Gippsland First semester 2009 (Off-campus)
Singapore First semester 2009 (Off-campus)
Peninsula Second semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

This unit provides an introduction to Australian income tax law and practice. Topics include: Australian tax jurisdictional issues, assessable income from personal exertion, property and business, capital gains tax and fringe benefits tax, exempt income, deductions, both general and specific, accounting for trading stock, taxation of partnership, company and trust income, GST, tax avoidance and evasion.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• describe the constitutional and administrative framework in which the federal taxation system operates
• describe fundamental tax concepts, such as the concepts of income, capital, deductible expenses, residence of the taxpayer, source of income and derivation of income
• critically analyse the fundamental distinctions between
  1. receipts of income and capital and
  2. deductible and non-deductible outgoings
• describe the special treatment given to different types of taxpayers, such as companies, trusts, partnerships and non-residents
• analyse, and apply, legislative provisions and court decisions relating to taxation matters.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 30%
Examination (3 hours, open-book): 70%

Contact hours

One 2-hour lecture and one 1-hour tutorial per week

Prerequisites

BTW1200

Prohibitions

BTC3150, BTF3931

Leader(s): Dr Ashraf Kazi

Offered

Gippsland First semester 2009 (Off-campus)

Synopsis

Aspects of ultra vires, natural justice, jurisdictional error, delegated legislation, Administrative Decisions (Judicial Review) Act, administrative appeals tribunal, freedom of information legislation, remedies and orders relevant to business and commerce, ASIC and ATO examples where possible.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• identify the important elements in Administrative Law and how they may be used
• analyse hypothetical case studies and formulate a legal argument by the application of statute and case law
• critically evaluate the effectiveness of aspects of Administrative law in the context of the changing needs of the community.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 30%
Examination (3 hours): 70%

Contact hours

One 2-hour lecture and one 1-hour tutorial per week

Prerequisites

BTW1200 or equivalent

Leader(s): Ms Anne O'Rourke

Offered

Gippsland First semester 2009 (Off-campus)
Peninsula First semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

Legal implications of staff management decisions, individual employer-employee relationship, contract of employment, termination law including unfair dismissals, health and safety law in the workplace, vicarious liability agreements, awards and industrial action, constitutional considerations and discrimination law.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• extend their knowledge and comprehension of the legal framework governing workplace relations in Australia
• evaluate the principles underlying employment laws and assess the law's impact on the employment relationship
• demonstrate a working knowledge of employment law issues through the application of legal principles to a range of hypothetical scenarios
• identify and analyse current issues involving legal regulation of the workplace.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 40%
Examination (3 hours, open-book): 60%

Contact hours

3 hours per week

Prerequisites

BTW1200 or equivalent

Prohibitions

BTF2991, BTW2241

Leader(s): Mr Anthony van der Westhuysen

Offered

Gippsland Second semester 2009 (Off-campus)

Synopsis

Taxation of business income and abnormal receipts. Business tax reform including the Goods and Service Tax and Ralph Committee reforms. Tax planning issues on acquisition and disposal of a business.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• describe the taxation issues associated with specific regimes including the Alienation of Personal Services Income Regime, the Simplified Tax System and the PAYG Systems
• analyse the tax frameworks that apply when conducting a business through Companies, Trusts Partnerships or Sole Proprietors
• analyse business transactions in the context of the Goods and Services Tax
• apply the appropriate taxation rules that govern purchases and sales of a business.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 30%
Examination (3 hours, open-book): 70%

Contact hours

One 2-hour lecture and one 1-hour tutorial per week

Prerequisites

BTW3221 or equivalent

Prohibitions

BTC3350, BTF3951

Leader(s): Mr Rhett Martin; Ms Shanthy Rachagan (Malaysia)

Offered

Sunway First semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

Aspects of the legal environment that affects financial decisions, transactions and relationships. Topics covered are chosen from the laws regulating the financing implications of different forms of business organisation; financial institutions; cheques, banking and the banker-customer relationship; electronic funds transfer; other negotiable instruments; the laws regulating business finance and security; hire-purchase and consumer credit; guarantees; bankruptcy and insolvency law, and debt recovery.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• examine the core legal principles underlying the banker customer contract
• discuss the legal nature and uses of cheques
• define the legal issues in taking security for a loan with reference to mortgages and company charges
• examine key aspects of corporate and personal insolvency and its consequences
• evaluate and apply this knowledge to real world, practical examples.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 30%
Examination (3 hours, open-book): 70%

Contact hours

One 2-hour lecture and one 1-hour tutorial per week

Prerequisites

BTW1200 or equivalent

Prohibitions

BTC3200, BTC4320

Leader(s): Mr Paul Sugden

Offered

Berwick Second semester 2009 (Day)
Sunway Second semester 2009 (Day)
Peninsula First semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

This unit involves a study of the legal framework which operates in relation to marketing decisions and practice. It examines the impact of common law, legislation and self-regulating codes of practice in the market place. Particular topics covered include intellectual property rights, product development and promotion, product safety and quality, the regulation of unfair and anti-competitive conduct and electronic marketing and the law.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• analyse, and apply the laws protecting intellectual property to the development and marketing of a range of new products and ideas
• analyse and apply the consumer protection laws to a range of marketing and advertising strategies
• analyse and apply the laws regulating a range of marketing practices including pricing and distribution
• formulate the legal protection of a product or idea using the intellectual property, marketing and consumer protection laws.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 30%
Examination (3.5 hours): 70%

Contact hours

Two 1-hour lectures and one 1-hour tutorial

Prohibitions

BTC3300, BTF3181, MKC3300

Leader(s): Ms Jeanne Nel and Ms Nazreen Shaik-Peremanov

Offered

South Africa First semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

An introduction to the principles of estate duty and planning. An examination of the administration of deceased estates and insolvent estates including the following: Principles of testate and intestate succession, role of the Master of the High Court, executor's role and the executor's account, application for sequestration and acts of insolvency, consequences of sequestration, role of the trustee, trustee's accounts, preferential creditors, encumbered assets, contribution, claim withdrawal, composition, insolvent deceased estates and partnerships, grounds for and methods of winding-up companies and close corporations, judicial management and rehabilitation.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• apply principles of testate and intestate succession
• develop an understanding of the role of the Master of the High Court and the executors role over the executors account
• examine the laws applicable to encumbered assets, claim withdrawal and grounds for and methods of winding-up companies.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 30%
Examination (3 hours, open-book): 70%

Contact hours

One 2-hour lecture and one 1-hour tutorial per week

Prerequisites

BTW1201

Leader(s): Ms Nazreen Shaik-Peremanov

Offered

South Africa First semester 2009 (Day)
South Africa Second semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

An examination of the Law of Negotiable Instruments, which will include an analysis of the concept of negotiability and the law relating to cheques and bills of exchange. Then will follow an examination of the Law of Insurance; the Law of Insolvency; Labour Law, including that which pertains to individual contracts of employment and collective bargaining; Alternative Dispute Resolution available to businesses seeking to settle disputes by means other than litigation; and the Law pertaining to money laundering and asset forfeiture. In all instances the essential elements of the law is examined, as are the implications of each law on business practice.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• examine the law of negotiable instruments
• analyse the Laws governing insolvency and labour law, including that which pertains to individual or collective contracts of employment
• examine alternative dispute resolution available to businesses by means other than litigation.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 30%
Examination (3 hours, open-book): 70%

Contact hours

One 2-hour lecture and one 1-hour tutorial per week

Prerequisites

BTW1201

Leader(s): Mr Paul Sugden; Ms Vanitha Karean (Malaysia)

Offered

Gippsland First semester 2009 (Day)
Gippsland First semester 2009 (Off-campus)

Synopsis

The ease and manner in which information can now be transmitted, accessed and transacted around the world instantaneously by the interconnection of computers (the Internet); legal methods by which the law has attempted to regulate this 'flow' of information and its use in business and commerce will be explored. Contract law (in particular international and computer contracts), intellectual property (including copyright law) and privacy issues.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• identify and analyse the international agreements establishing the internet
• analyse and apply the laws affecting Internet business transactions to a range of commercial situations
• compare and contrast the forms of regulation used by governments to regulate conduct on the internet
• identify, analyse and apply the laws providing protection to the Internet itself as a computer program.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 30%
Examination (3 hours, open-book): 70%

Prerequisites

BTW1200

Prohibitions

BTC3640, BTF3641, LAW7213

Leader(s): Mr Wayne Gumley

Offered

Caulfield Second semester 2009 (Day)
Caulfield Summer semester B 2009 (On-campus block of classes)

Synopsis

Considering the nature and extent of environmental problems facing business in a global and resource constrained economy, and how the legal system encourages a transition to ecologically sustainable development. Topics include common law environmental rights and responsibilities, the role of government regulation and the role of corporations with particular emphasis upon legal mechanism to promote corporate environmental responsibility.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• identify and apply the various sources of environmental and planning law in Australia and to explain the role of relevant government agencies
• analyse and explain the application of environmental laws to corporations carrying out a range of business and development activities
• recommend and explain appropriate regulatory strategies to encourage corporate environmental responsibility in Australian and offshore business activities
• analyse and explain emerging trends in environmental law.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 50%
Examination (2 hours): 50%

Contact hours

3 hours per week

Prohibitions

BTX5100

Leader(s): Dr Bill Orow

Offered

Caulfield Full year 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

Under supervision students are expected to undertake and report on an approved research project that addresses a significant issue in taxation or business law; this research proposal is likely to have substantial practical outcomes or implications; as well, it is hoped that students and supervisors will publish the work in an appropriate peer-refereed journal.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• submit a research proposal and have a supervisor appointed by the Course Director
• undertake an approved research project
• the project must address a contemporary and/or a significant issue in the field of taxation
• where appropriate, undertake comparative research and provide a report on findings.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 100%

Co-requisites

Students must be enrolled in course BBus(Hons) (Taxation) to undertake this unit

Prohibitions

BTF4900

Leader(s): Ms Cathy Fletcher

Offered

Clayton First semester 2009 (Day)
Clayton Second semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

The nature and scope of economics; different economic systems; economic policy analysis and evaluation; main bodies of economic thought; examples of household, business and government economic decision problems; consumer choice, product demand and factor supply; enterprise choice, product supply and factor demand; market analyses of contemporary issues; competitive market long run equilibrium; market power; market failure and concerns for efficiency and equity; government involvement in the Australian economy.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 40%
Examination (2 hours): 60%

Contact hours

3 hours per week

Leader(s): Ms Cathy Fletcher

Offered

Clayton First semester 2009 (Day)
Clayton Second semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

The scope of macroeconomics and its microeconomic underpinnings; aggregation problems; partial equilibrium and general equilibrium analysis; the circular flow of income as a general equilibrium model; the mutual dependence of financial flows and flows of goods and services; sectoral composition of aggregate demand; business and investment behaviour; government spending and taxation; external balance and determination of current and capital accounts; labour market and aggregate supply; money, credit, and the conduct of monetary policy; inflation and unemployment; macroeconomic effects of deregulation in Australia.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 40%
Examination (2 hours): 60%

Contact hours

3 hours per week

Prerequisites

ECC1000 is recommended

Prohibitions

ECF1200, ECW1102

Leader(s): Dr Dyuti Banerjee and Dr Elias Khalil

Offered

Clayton First semester 2009 (Day)
Clayton Second semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

Theory of consumer choice, including applications to income-leisure choice and intertemporal consumption; isoquant theory of production; allocative efficiency and competition and monopoly; models of monopolistic competition and oligopoly; input pricing; microeconomic policies to address problems of market failure.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 30%
Examination (2 hours): 70%

Contact hours

3 hours per week

Prerequisites

ECC1000 or permission

Leader(s): Dr Steph Miller and Dr Michael White

Offered

Clayton First semester 2009 (Day)
Clayton Second semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

Keynesian macroeconomics; the open-economy, IS-LM framework and the aggregate demand-aggregate supply framework as a basis for more advanced macroeconomic analysis; principles of monetary and fiscal policy and problems of implementation; alternative theories of aggregate supply; new classical macroeconomics and the implications of imperfect information; new Keynesian macroeconomics and the implications of labour market rigidities; explaining and correcting inflation and unemployment.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 20%
Examination (2 hours): 80%

Contact hours

Two 1-hour lectures and one 1-hour tutorial per week

Prerequisites

ECC1100

Prohibitions

ECC9010, ETC2110

Leader(s): Dr Larry Cook

Offered

Clayton First semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

Issues include economic growth and inflation in a global context; international comparisons of policy and performance; objectives of monetary policy and central bank independence; forecasting and practical problems in policy making; financial markets and economic indicators.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 25%
Examination (2 hours): 75%

Contact hours

3 hours per week

Prerequisites

ECC1000 and ECC1100

Leader(s): Dr Edwyna Harris

Offered

Clayton Second semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

Application of microeconomic theory to environmental problems; the relationship between the economy and the environment; markets and governments as alternative signalling and incentive mechanisms; limitations of market and government coordination of natural resource use. Policy options for solid wastes and recycling, local and global pollution problems, protection of biodiversity, management of stocks of fish and other 'commons' resources. Valuation of unpriced environmental goods and cost-benefit analysis of environmental changes.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 40%
Examination (2 hours): 60%

Contact hours

3 hours per week

Prerequisites

ECC1000 or equivalent

Leader(s): Associate Professor Vai-Lam Mui

Offered

Clayton Second semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

Issues include the microeconomics of firm, the microeconomics of the welfare state, and the microeconomics of transitional economies such as China. Microeconomic difficulties in the public sector.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 30%
Examination (2 hours): 70%

Contact hours

3 hours per week

Prerequisites

ECC1000 or equivalent

Leader(s): Professor Brett Inder

Offered

Clayton First semester 2009 (Day)
Clayton Second semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

This unit introduces students to the empirical analysis of relationships between economic variables. The approach is based on linear regression theory and emphasises hands on data analysis. Topics studied will include properties of least squares estimators, hypothesis testing, the choice of appropriate functional form, the use of dummy variables, issues around modelling survey data and the problems of serial correlation, heteroscedasticity and multicollinearity.

Objectives

The learning objectives of this unit are to:

• understand and derive the properties of ordinary least squares in summation and matrix notation
• interpret, evaluate and apply inferential methods to multiple linear regression
• understand the use and implications of data scaling, functional form and dummy variables in regression modelling
• identify the presence of heteroscedasticity, adjust OLS standard errors and perform feasible GLS in regression models
• understand issues related to modelling with time-series data.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 40%
Examination (2 hours): 60%

Prerequisites

ETC1000

Prohibitions

ETC2400, ETC2410, ECT3440

Offered

Clayton Second semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

This unit introduces mathematical techniques that are invaluable tools for econometrics, economics, finance, and business. Topics covered include: matrix algebra; linear simultaneous systems; Eigen values and singular value decompositions; optimisation, including the Lagrange multiplier method; partial differentiation; multiple integration; difference and differential equations. Some emphasis will be given to the use of computer programs for performing matrix calculations and symbolic manipulation.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 40%
Examination (2 hours): 60%

Contact hours

Two 1-hour lectures and one 2-hour tutorial per week

Prerequisites

Students must have passed ETC1000 before undertaking this unit

Prohibitions

ETC2440

Leader(s): Dr Ross Booth

Offered

Clayton Second semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

This unit will cover: demand for sport, sports revenues, the economics of sports broadcasting, the pricing of sports events; why professional team sports leagues form, whether clubs are profit-maximisers or win-maximisers, remedies for competitive imbalance such as player drafts, salary caps and revenue sharing, the role of player associations in professional sport; government subsidies in sport, the economic impact of sports events, stadium financing; case studies of professional team sports leagues in Australia, North America and Europe; globalisation in professional sport, future directions in sport.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• examine the so-called 'peculiar' characteristics of sports markets and the policy conclusions that follow
• analyse the role economic incentives play in determining the behaviour of controlling bodies, leagues, clubs, players, fans, sponsors, the media and government
• compare and contrast the key features of various sports markets in Australia and overseas
• use the economic analysis learnt to develop appropriate policies to address economic problems in the sports industry.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 50%
Examination (2 hours): 50%

Contact hours

3 hours per week

Prerequisites

ECC1000

Prohibitions

ECF2450, ECW2450

Leader(s): Associate Professor Elias Khalil

Offered

Clayton Second semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

A basic pillar of economic theory is that behaviour is governed by the response to incentives (what psychologists term 'extrinsic motivation'). But 'intrinsic motivation' plays a great role. People conceive incentives differently depending on the context. The unit elaborates on the interface of incentives and psychological factors such as bounded rationality, self-deception, weakness of will, and regret, to understand the complexity of human motivation. The unit also focuses on how organisations harness human motivation in the face of asymmetry of information (which usually undermines cooperation) and bounded rationality.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• investigate the interplay of psychological variables with economic incentives
• investigate the different meaning of rationality
• investigate how rationality, and its multi-level meaning, relate to the emotions
• investigate why the rational choice approach is useful even when people behave

• investigate how could self-deception and self-rationalisation be possible if people are basically rational.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 50%
Examination (2 hours): 50%

Contact hours

3 hours per week

Prerequisites

ECC1000

Prohibitions

MGC2600

Leader(s): Dr Bruce Hollingsworth

Offered

Clayton First semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

The nature of the commodity health care and the production of health; traditional alternative theories of demand; economics of insurance and information; behaviour of health care providers including physicians and hospitals; regulation to meet social objectives including equity and justice; hospital payment systems; the role of regulation, licensure and the professions; international comparison of health system design; the technique of using economic evaluation in health care to set priorities.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• gain an understanding of the nature of health as a produced commodity and the implications for resource allocation in health care
• identify the sources of market failure in health and health insurance and the issues involved in health system design
• apply the concepts of agency and incomplete contracts for the analysis of problems in the demand and supply of health care and the organisation of health care funding
• apply the concepts of efficiency and equity in health and to design and negotiate ways in which the funding of health care can impact on these objectives
• use the concept of net benefits to evaluate a health care intervention and present the results in both oral and written form.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 35%
Examination (2 hours): 65%

Contact hours

3 hours per week

Prerequisites

ECC1000

Leader(s): Dr Simon Angus

Offered

Clayton First semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

This unit examines the process of globalisation and its effect on the living conditions of the world's population. Methodologies and toolsets that economics distinctively provides to address these issues will be the common approach of investigation. The unit begins by building an institutional methodology which is then applied to the different economic systems that have been prominent players in the 20th century and continue on in the 21st. Those systems include capitalism (and its variants), socialism and communism. From this platform, globalisation in the pre-WWII years is studied, as both a process and as an institution itself in reference to the secular growth in specialisation, division of labour and trade. Third, the unit asks why some economic systems (and their environments) have prospered, whilst others have declined by turning its attention to disparate experiences of globalisation such as prosperity, poverty, environmental degradation.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• to introduce economic analysis as a key tool in understanding global movements of

• to use this analysis to identify the underlying causes of economic prosperity, poverty

• to distinguish between key economic systems of the modern era
• to critically analyse the sources of globalisation at the beginning of the 20th century and in the modern era
• to equip students with the economic tools to assess current ideas that aim to alleviate global poverty and secure environmental sustainability.

Assessment

Within semester assessment : 50%
Examination (2 hours): 50%

Contact hours

3 hours per week

Leader(s): Dr Michael White

Offered

Not offered in 2009

Synopsis

The role of economic institutions and the process of institutional change, including the role of interest groups in promoting such change. An overview of Australian economic development sketches the changing environment within which such institutions operate. Key institutions, and changes in institutional structures over time, in selected sectors of the Australian economy, including the agricultural and manufacturing sectors, the labour market and the financial sector, as well as the institutions central to competition and trade policy.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 50%
Examination (2 hours): 50%

Contact hours

3 hours per week

Prerequisites

ECC1000 and ECC1100

Leader(s): Professor Ranjan Ray

Offered

Clayton Second semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

An introduction to development economics. The application of trade, growth, and property rights theory to the economic development of China in relation to her institutional evolution and government policy. A comparison of Malaysia and Indonesia with respect to their economic characteristics, economic development policies and strategies, and development results during the post-war period.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 40%
Examination (2.5 hours): 60%

Contact hours

3 hours per week

Prerequisites

ECC1000 and ECC1100

Prohibitions

ECW2890

Offered

Clayton First semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

This unit presents econometric models and techniques that are widely used in modern applied econometrics. Emphasis is placed on models that address the special problems that arise when analysing microeconomic data, that is, data at the level of individual consumers, households and firms. The topics covered include modelling discrete dependent variables, modelling data sets that have both a cross-section and a time-series dimension and conducting inference in models in which the dependent variable is jointly determined with one or more of the regressors. The models taught in this unit are widely used in empirical work in economics, finance and marketing.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• conduct statistical inference in statistical models with a binary dependent variable
• conduct statistical inference in statistical models with one or more endogenous explanatory variables
• conduct statistical inference in a system of simultaneous equations
• conduct statistical inference on data that has both a time series and a cross section dimension.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 40%
Examination (2 hours): 60%

Contact hours

Two 1-hour lectures and one 2-hour tutorial

Prerequisites

ETC2400 or ETC2410

Prohibitions

ECC4341, ETC3410, ETC4341

Offered

Not offered in 2009

Synopsis

The struggle during and after World War II to recreate a multilateral system of international trade and payments (IMF, World Bank, GATT). The nature of the 'long boom' (1945 to early 1970s) and the breakdown of the 'Bretton Woods system' in the early 1970s. Themes include the globalisation of production; the relative decline of the US and the rise of Japan; and the growth of regional trade blocs.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 50%
Examination (2 hours): 50%

Contact hours

3 hours per week

Prerequisites

ECC1000 and ECC1100

Prohibitions

ECC4357

Leader(s): Professor Peter Forsyth and Dr Edwyna Harris

Offered

Clayton First semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

This unit gives students an understanding of the economic dimensions of climate change. It does this by examining how climate change directly will impact on economies, and by examining how climate change mitigation policies, such as emissions trading schemes will impact on economies. It discusses and evaluates Australia's approaches to climate change mitigation. Finally, the subject explores the problems in securing international agreement for action to address climate change.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• provide students with an understanding of the possible impacts of climate change on economies
• analyse the economic costs of climate change, and how industries can adapt to climate change at minimum cost
• provide students with an understanding of how economic instruments such as carbon taxes and emissions trading schemes can mitigate climate change
• analyse how key industries such as electricity and transport can respond to climate

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 30%
Examination (2 hours): 70%

Contact hours

3 hours per week

Prerequisites

ECC1000
It is recommended that students complete ECC1100

Co-requisites

It is recommended that students complete ECC1100

Prohibitions

ECC4364

Leader(s): Mr Mark Picton

Offered

Clayton First semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

The theory and applications of applied general equilibrium modelling. Introduction to associated issues in data compilation and computing. The study uses elementary calculus and matrix algebra.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 20%
Examination (3 hours): 80%

Contact hours

3 contact per week

Prerequisites

ECC2000 and ECC2010 or equivalent; or permission

Prohibitions

ECC4365

Leader(s): Dr Larry Cook

Offered

Clayton First semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

Economics of financial assets, markets, intermediaries, regulation and innovation; money aggregates; behaviour of interest rates; loan funds analysis; risk and term structure of interest rates; adverse selection and moral hazard; independence of central banks; determinants of the money supply and the conduct of monetary policy in Australia; theories of money demand; money supply and economic activity; Keynesian-monetarist debate; transmission mechanisms of monetary policy; money and inflation; monetary implications of budget deficits; volatility in foreign exchange markets; the international financial system; capital controls; role of the IMF; international monetary policy strategy.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 25%
Examination (2 hours): 75%

Contact hours

3 hours per week

Prerequisites

ECC2000 and ECC2010 or equivalent

Prohibitions

ECC4366

Leader(s): Professor Pushkar Maitra

Offered

Clayton First semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

This unit provides an analytical framework for studying economic problems of developing countries. We will examine how standard economic theories apply in the presence of market failures and weak formal institutions that characterise developing countries. The key focus is on general problems facing developing countries rather than any specific country or region. It examines specific issues and policy problems that are currently faced by developing nations, including issues such as inequality, poverty, population growth, rural-urban migration, human capital accumulation, gender bias, markets in developing countries, credit constraints and risk and insurance.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 30%
Examination (2 hours): 70%

Contact hours

3 hours per week

Prerequisites

ECC2000

Prohibitions

ECC4367

Leader(s): Professor Dietrich Fausten

Offered

Clayton Second semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

Investigation of economic interaction between countries in the context of international exchanges of commodities and assets. Topics include the balance of payments, nominal and real exchange rate determination, international capital movements, foreign debt, structural reform and adjustment policies in the open economy, the gains from international trade, inter-industry trade, tariff policies.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 20%
Examination (2 hours): 80%

Contact hours

3 hours per week

Prerequisites

ECC2000 and ECC2010 or equivalent

Prohibitions

ECC4369

Leader(s): Dr Dyuti Banerjee

Offered

Clayton First semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

Contrasting theoretical models of the labour market, with emphasis on the neo-classical model, wage efficiency model and internal labour markets; analysis of the role of trade unions in the labour market; theory of discrimination in the labour market; contrasting theoretical views of the Phillips curve; application of this analysis to a discussion of issues with an emphasis on contemporary issues such as labour market flexibility, discrimination and unemployment.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 35%
Examination (2 hours): 65%

Contact hours

3 hours per week

Prerequisites

ECC2000 and ECC2010 or equivalent

Prohibitions

ECC4371

Leader(s): Associate Professor Elias Khalil

Offered

Clayton Second semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

The work of Richard Cantillon, David Hume, Adam Smith, David Ricardo, Thomas Malthus and Karl Marx with special reference to the economics of value, distribution and accumulation. The work of W S Jevons, Alfred Marshall and J M Keynes with special reference to economic policies proposed by those writers.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 50%
Examination (2 hours): 50%

Contact hours

3 hours per week

Prerequisites

ECC2000 and ECC2010

Prohibitions

ECC4380

Leader(s): Professor Ranjan Ray

Offered

Clayton Second semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

The relationship between the public and private sectors is explored from the perspective of both public finance and political economy. Theories of public expenditure and revenue generation are introduced to assess the proper scope of the public sector. Additionally, theories of public choice are presented to examine the effectiveness and decision-making process of the public sector.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 40%
Examination (2 hours): 60%

Contact hours

3 hours per week

Prerequisites

ECC2000

Prohibitions

ECC4381

Leader(s): Dr Paola Labrecciosa

Offered

Clayton First semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

Economic policy as it affects business, particularly in relation to its dealings with consumers, and with emphasis on Australian industry and regulation; analysis of policies with respect to prices, monopolies, oligopolies and mergers, exclusive dealing, consumer protection and licensing, corporatisation, privatisation and deregulation; criteria for efficient industry and efficient industry policy; methods for the practical analysis of the performance of industries.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 30%
Examination (2 hours): 70%

Contact hours

3 hours per week

Prerequisites

ECC1000 and ECC1100

Prohibitions

ECC4383

Leader(s): Dr Dyuti Banerjee

Offered

Clayton Second semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

The unit will cover, in mathematical terms, many of the areas treated more intuitively in first-year microeconomics, eg: consumer demand, the theory of the firm, equilibrium and Pareto optimum. However, a significant portion of the lectures will deal with topics not covered earlier, such as non-linear programming, game theory, and dynamic optimisation.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 30%
Examination (3 hours): 70%

Contact hours

3 hours per week

Prerequisites

ECC2000 or equivalent

Prohibitions

ECC4384

Leader(s): Associate Professor Vai-Lam Mui

Offered

Not offered in 2009

Synopsis

This is an unweighted unit. An honours grade qualifies a student to proceed to fourth-year honours.

Assessment

Based on the student's performance in all third-year subjects

Prerequisites

Available only to students eligible to take honours in the Department of Economics (economics stream)

Co-requisites

ECC3855 and normally five other third-year economics units

Leader(s): Dr Simon Angus

Offered

Not offered in 2009

Synopsis

The aim of this unit is to enable students to understand some of the complexities of interdisciplinary policy problems, particularly in the areas of sustainable development, and to enable them to design and undertake integrated modelling exercises for themselves. A complex systems science perspective will be adopted, introducing Agent-Based Modelling (ABM) as a flexible and powerful tool for exploring solutions to complex real-world problems. The ABM approach will be demonstrated and critically assessed through several interdisciplinary, integrated economy/sustainability models. Additionally, a flexible ABM modelling platform (NetLogo) will be introduced and demonstrated.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are for students to:

• understand some of the complexities of interdisciplinary policy problems, particularly in the areas of sustainable development
• comprehend and critically assess the complex systems perspective
• critically evaluate agent-based models and their outputs
• develop and analyse an agent-based model of an integrated modelling problem
• undertake verification, validation, evaluation and assessment of integrated modelling outputs
• apply integrated modelling approaches to real-world interdisciplinary economic problems.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 60%
Examination (2 hours): 40%

Contact hours

39 contact hours

Prerequisites

Students must have passed ETC1000 before undertaking this unit

Co-requisites

It is recommended that students study ECC2800 Prosperity, poverty and sustainability in a globalised world

Leader(s): Professor Peter Forsyth

Offered

Clayton First semester 2009 (Day)
Australia (Other) First semester 2009 (Off-campus block of classes)

Synopsis

This unit gives students an understanding of the economic dimensions of climate change. It does this by examining how climate change directly will impact on economies, and by examining how climate change mitigation policies, such as emissions trading schemes will impact on economies. It discusses and evaluates Australia's approaches to climate change mitigation. Finally, the subject explores the problems in securing international agreement for action to address climate change.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• provide students with an understanding of the possible impacts of climate change on economies
• analyse the economic costs of climate change, and how industries can adapt to climate change at minimum cost
• provide students with an understanding of how economic instruments such as carbon taxes and emissions trading schemes can mitigate climate change
• analyse how key industries such as electricity and transport can respond to climate

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 30%
Examination (2 hours): 70%

Contact hours

3 hours per week

Prerequisites

ECC1000

Co-requisites

ECC1100

Leader(s): Dr Mark Picton

Offered

Clayton First semester 2009 (Day)
Australia (Other) First semester 2009 (Off-campus block of classes)

Synopsis

The theory and applications of applied general equilibrium modelling. Introduction to associated issues in data compilation and computing. The study uses elementary calculus and matrix algebra.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 20%
Examination (3 hours): 80%

Contact hours

Two 1.5-hour lecture/tutorials per week

Prerequisites

ECC2000 and ECC2010 or equivalent; or permission

Prohibitions

ECC3650

Leader(s): Dr Larry Cook

Offered

Clayton First semester 2009 (Day)
Australia (Other) First semester 2009 (Off-campus block of classes)

Synopsis

Economics of financial assets, markets, intermediaries, regulation and innovation; money aggregates; behaviour of interest rates; loan funds analysis; risk and term structure of interest rates; adverse selection and moral hazard; independence of central banks; determinants of the money supply and the conduct of monetary policy in Australia; theories of money demand; money supply and economic activity; Keynesian-monetarist debate; transmission mechanisms of monetary policy; money and inflation; monetary implications of budget deficits; volatility in foreign exchange markets; the international financial system; capital controls; role of the IMF; international monetary policy strategy.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 25%
Examination (2 hours): 75%

Contact hours

Two 1.5-hour lecture/tutorials per week

Prerequisites

ECC2000 and ECC2010 or equivalent

Prohibitions

ECC3660

Leader(s): Professor Pushkar Maitra

Offered

Clayton First semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

This unit provides an analytical framework for studying economic problems of developing countries. We will examine how standard economic theories apply in the presence of market failures and weak formal institutions that characterise developing countries. The key focus is on general problems facing developing countries rather than any specific country or region. It examines specific issues and policy problems that are currently faced by developing nations, including issues such as inequality, poverty, population growth, rural-urban migration, human capital accumulation, gender bias, markets in developing countries, credit constraints and risk and insurance.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 30%
Examination (2 hours): 70%

Contact hours

3 hours per week

Prerequisites

ECC2000

Prohibitions

ECC3670

Leader(s): Dr Daniel Mulino

Offered

Clayton Second semester 2009 (Day)
Australia (Other) Second semester 2009 (Off-campus block of classes)

Synopsis

Investigation of economic interaction between countries in the context of international exchanges of commodities and assets. Topics include the balance of payments, nominal and real exchange rate determination, international capital movements, foreign debt, structural reform and adjustment policies in the open economy, the gains from international trade, inter-industry trade, tariff policies.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 20%
Examination (2 hours): 80%

Contact hours

3 hours per week

Prerequisites

ECC2000 and ECC2010 or equivalent

Prohibitions

ECC3690

Leader(s): Dr Dyuti Banerjee

Offered

Clayton First semester 2009 (Day)
Australia (Other) First semester 2009 (Off-campus block of classes)

Synopsis

Contrasting theoretical models of the labour market, with emphasis on the neo-classical model, wage efficiency model and internal labour markets; analysis of the role of trade unions in the labour market; theory of discrimination in the labour market; contrasting theoretical views of the Phillips curve; application of this analysis to a discussion of issues with an emphasis on contemporary issues such as labour market flexibility, discrimination and unemployment.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 35%
Examination (2 hours): 65%

Contact hours

3 hours per week

Co-requisites

Students must be enrolled in course 0181, 0024 or 0171to undertake this unit

Prohibitions

ECC3710

Leader(s): Dr Michael White

Offered

Clayton Second semester 2009 (Day)
Australia (Other) Second semester 2009 (Off-campus block of classes)

Synopsis

The work of Richard Cantillon, David Hume, Adam Smith, David Ricardo, Thomas Malthus and Karl Marx with special reference to the economics of value, distribution and accumulation. The work of W S Jevons, Alfred Marshall and J M Keynes with special reference to economic policies proposed by those writers.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 50%
Examination (2 hours): 50%

Contact hours

3 hours per week

Prerequisites

Any two second-year economics units

Prohibitions

ECC3800

Leader(s): Dr Matthew Dobra

Offered

Clayton Second semester 2009 (Day)
Australia (Other) Second semester 2009 (Off-campus block of classes)

Synopsis

The relationship between the public and private sectors is explored from the perspective of both public finance and political economy. Theories of public expenditure and revenue generation are introduced to assess the proper scope of the public sector. Additionally, theories of public choice are presented to examine the effectiveness and decision-making process of the public sector.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 40%
Examination (2 hours): 60%

Contact hours

3 hours per week

Prerequisites

ECC2000

Prohibitions

ECC3810

Leader(s): Professor Peter Forsyth

Offered

Clayton First semester 2009 (Day)
Australia (Other) First semester 2009 (Off-campus block of classes)

Synopsis

Economic policy as it affects business, particularly in relation to its dealings with consumers, and with emphasis on Australian industry and regulation; analysis of policies with respect to prices, monopolies, oligopolies and mergers, exclusive dealing, consumer protection and licensing, corporatisation, privatisation and deregulation; criteria for efficient industry and efficient industry policy; methods for the practical analysis of the performance of industries.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 30%
Examination (2 hours): 70%

Contact hours

3 hours per week

Prerequisites

ECC1000 and ECC1100

Prohibitions

ECC3830

Leader(s): Associate Professor Christis Tombazos

Offered

Clayton Second semester 2009 (Day)
Australia (Other) Second semester 2009 (Off-campus block of classes)

Synopsis

The unit will cover, in mathematical terms, many of the areas treated more intuitively in first-year microeconomics, eg: consumer demand, the theory of the firm, equilibrium and Pareto optimum. However, a significant portion of the lectures will deal with topics not covered earlier, such as non-linear programming, game theory, and dynamic optimisation.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 30%
Examination (3 hours): 70%

Contact hours

3 hours per week

Prerequisites

ECC2000 or equivalent

Prohibitions

ECC3840

Leader(s): Associate Professor Christis Tombazos

Offered

Clayton First semester 2009 (Day)
Australia (Other) First semester 2009 (Off-campus block of classes)

Synopsis

Topics include consumer preference theory; choice; demand; technology; profit maximisation and duality; competitive general equilibrium in the context of decreasing, increasing and constant returns; two-part tariffs; expected utility; adverse selection; and moral hazard.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 30%
Examination (3 hours): 70%

Contact hours

3 hours per week

Prohibitions

ECX5465

Leader(s): Dr Steph Miller

Offered

Clayton First semester 2009 (Day)
Australia (Other) First semester 2009 (Off-campus block of classes)

Synopsis

Contemporary macroeconomics and recent policy debates, including market clearing and long-run equilibrium; classical dichotomy; money in the global economy; aggregate demand and price rigidity, microfoundations of macroeconomics, disequilibrium models; stock-flow interactions; wealth effects; rational expectations; policy ineffectiveness and Ricardian equivalence; money and credit; exchange rate regimes; new Keynesian macroeconomics; comovements of macro variables and macroeconomic forecasting.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 30%
Examination (3 hours): 70%

Contact hours

3 hours per week

Prohibitions

ECX5466

Leader(s): Professor Pushkar Maitra

Offered

Clayton First semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

Characteristics and experience of developing countries; theories of economic growth and development; domestic and external sources of financial and human resources for development; the roles of international trade, investment, technology manufacturing and government in the development process.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 40%
Examination (3 hours): 60%

Contact hours

3 hours per week

Prerequisites

ECC3670

Leader(s): Associate Professor Christis Tombazos

Offered

Clayton Second semester 2009 (Day)
Australia (Other) Second semester 2009 (Off-campus block of classes)

Synopsis

Topics include the gains and costs of trading internationally; static and dynamic welfare effects of protection; the political economy of international trade policy; optimum policies in the presence of market power, uncertainty, and other market imperfections; trade policy instruments; strategies for trade liberalisation including regional trade agreements.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 30%
Examination (3 hours): 70%

Contact hours

3 hours per week

Prerequisites

ECC4650 and ECC3690

Leader(s): Professor Peter Forsyth

Offered

Australia (Other) First semester 2009 (Off-campus Evening)

Synopsis

Outline of the Australian and overseas approaches to competition policy; the economic background to the Trade Practices Act; market definition issues; evaluation of restrictive trade practices and mergers or alliances; structural reform of industries, access and monopoly regulation.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 30%
Examination (3 hours): 70%

Contact hours

3 hours per week

Prohibitions

ECX5470

Leader(s): Dr Mike White

Offered

Australia (Other) Second semester 2009 (Off-campus block of classes)

Synopsis

Topics include Keynes' aggregate demand and supply analysis and critique of automatic adjustment in the economy; the significance of an endogenous money supply for inflation; credit, speculation and financial instability; the national saving debate; investment and income distribution; the Phillips Curve and hysteresis.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 40%
Examination (3 hours): 60%

Contact hours

3 hours per week

Leader(s): Professor Russell Smyth

Offered

Australia (Other) First semester 2009 (Off-campus block of classes)

Synopsis

The unit applies the method of economics to the analysis of the law itself - to the structure of the common law, legal processes, legal institutions and statutory regulation, and to the impact of law on the behaviour of individuals and groups and the functioning of the economy. Topics include: is there a role for law and economics in studying the law, economics of crime and capital punishment, punitive damages, interest group theories of judicial independence and the determinants of judicial influence and prestige.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 30%
Examination (3 hours): 70%

Contact hours

3 hours per week

Co-requisites

Students must be enrolled in course code 0181, 0024 or 0171 to undertake this unit

Prohibitions

ECX5472

Leader(s): Dr Steph Miller

Offered

Clayton Second semester 2009 (Day)
Australia (Other) Second semester 2009 (Off-campus block of classes)

Synopsis

Theories of hedging and speculation; determination of spot and futures prices, and intertemporal allocation; market efficiency; expectations, including adaptive expectations and rational expectations.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 100%

Contact hours

3 hours per week

Prerequisites

ECC4650 or equivalent

Prohibitions

ECX5475

Leader(s): Professor Peter Forsyth

Offered

Australia (Other) First semester 2009 (Off-campus block of classes)

Synopsis

Topics include development and application of microeconomic theory for the economic evaluation of (public) sector investment projects and policies; investment analysis and criteria, discounting techniques; Pareto potential improvement criterion, shadow pricing, social discount rates, distribution issues, secondary benefits, risk and uncertainty, cost-effectiveness.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 40%
Examination (3 hours): 60%

Contact hours

3 hours per week

Prerequisites

ECC4650 or equivalent

Prohibitions

ECX5479

Leader(s): Dr Birendra Rai

Offered

Clayton Second semester 2009 (Day)
Australia (Other) Second semester 2009 (Off-campus block of classes)

Synopsis

Models of decision making in the collective setting, utilising a number of tools, some of which will be familiar microeconomic ones. Economic approaches to collective decision environments, including 'new welfare economics', the 'Chicago' and 'Virginia' schools. Whenever possible, Australian policies will be examined in light of theory.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 30%
Examination (3 hours): 70%

Contact hours

3 hours per week

Prerequisites

ECC3810

Leader(s): Professor Yew-Kwang Ng

Offered

Clayton First semester 2009 (Day)
Australia (Other) First semester 2009 (Off-campus block of classes)

Synopsis

A study of theories in welfare economics, including conditions for Pareto optimality, welfare criteria, social choice, consumer surpluses, second versus third best, externalities and public goods as well as problems of applying these theories to such areas as public utility pricing, optimal taxation, road congestion, environmental protection, and public spending.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 40%
Examination (3 hours): 60%

Contact hours

3 hours per week

Leader(s): Dr Dyuti Banerjee

Offered

Clayton Second semester 2009 (Day)
Australia (Other) Second semester 2009 (Off-campus block of classes)

Synopsis

Theories of the firm, contract, property rights structure, market structure, hierarchy, bargaining, principal-agent relationship, research and development, advertising, and entry, exit, and pricing strategy. The equilibrium implications of the internal organisation of a firm and the organisational structure of the market in relation to strategic interactions between agents, information problems and related incentive mechanisms. Basic game theory and concepts of game equilibrium applied to the analysis of opportunistic behaviour and related transactions costs.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 30%
Examination (3 hours): 70%

Contact hours

3 hours per week

Prerequisites

ECC2830

Prohibitions

ECC5484

Leader(s): Associate Professor He-Ling Shi

Offered

Clayton Full year 2009 (Day)
Clayton Second semester to First semester 2009 (Day)
Australia (Other) Full year 2009 (Off-campus block of classes)
Australia (Other) Second semester to First semester 2009 (Off-campus block of classes)

Synopsis

Topics for seminar presentation are selected in consultation with the coordinator. A list of possible topics will be distributed but students are encouraged to propose subjects of interest to them, based in their own discipline. Students present one paper, act as formal discussant on another, and are expected to engage in discussion of others.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 100%

Contact hours

One 1.5-hour seminar per week

Prerequisites

Admission to fourth year honours, Graduate Diploma in Economics or preliminary masters in the Departments of Economics, Econometrics or Accounting and Finance

Leader(s): Professor Jeff Richardson and Ms Jenny Watts

Offered

Clayton First semester 2009 (Day)
Australia (Other) First semester 2009 (Off-campus block of classes)

Synopsis

A survey of theoretical issues in the economics of health systems and the major health policy issues confronting Australia. Emphasis is given to theories which differ from economic orthodoxy. Topics include market characteristics; market failure and regulation; equity and issues of social justice; demand analysis and human capital; the production of health and health care; theories of price formation; hospital models and hospital payment; optimal health insurance; and alternatives to Medicare.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 40%
Examination (3 hours): 60%

Contact hours

3 hours per week

Leader(s): Mr Anthony Harris

Offered

Australia (Other) Second semester 2009 (Off-campus block of classes)

Synopsis

Principles and techniques used in the economic evaluation of health services. Topics include effectiveness, efficiency and economic evaluation; cost benefit analysis; cost effectiveness and cost utility analysis; multi-attribute utility analysis; measuring utility; psychometric measurement theory; ethical issues in resource allocation; decision criteria; time discounting; costing.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 40%
Examination (3 hours): 60%

Contact hours

3 hours per week

Prerequisites

ECC4650

Leader(s): Dr George Rivers

Offered

Caulfield First semester 2009 (Day)
Caulfield First semester 2009 (Evening)
Caulfield Second semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

Economics as an area of knowledge. Economics in a business degree. Understanding economic policy. An analysis of markets: supply and demand; consumer behaviour; firm behaviour; cost of production and profit maximisation; behaviour of firms in different market structures; evaluation of market capitalist economic systems, economic efficiency, market failure, government failure; current economic policies, competition policy, privatisation and the funding of education.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 50%, Examination (2 hours): 50%

Contact hours

3 hours per week

Prohibitions

ECC1000, ECW1101, PMM2020

Leader(s): Dr James Ang

Offered

Caulfield First semester 2009 (Day)
Caulfield Second semester 2009 (Day)
Caulfield Second semester 2009 (Evening)

Synopsis

This unit uses aggregate demand and supply analysis as a tool for identifying and explaining the business cycle, output growth employment, inflation and the current account deficit. The investigation will illustrate the impact of the macroeconomy on decisions by firms and other economic agents in the economy and the effect of fiscal and monetary policies on business outcomes. Key strategic variables affecting decision making in the macro business environment are interest rates, inflation and the Australian dollar.

Objectives

The learning objectives of this unit are to:

• understand and evaluate the importance of factors that determine aggregate output, employment, interest rates, the average price level and the exchange rate
• appreciate the influence of these factors on decision making in government, business and international trade.

Assessment

On-campus -- Within semester assessment: 30%
Examination (2 hours): 70%
Distance -- Within semester assessment: 20%
Examination (2 hours): 80%

Contact hours

3 hours per week

Prohibitions

ECC1100, ECW1102

Leader(s): Dr Siang Ng

Offered

Caulfield First semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

Economic factors that are of major interest to bankers and others operating in the finance industry. The role of money in influencing economic activities. Implementation and operation of monetary policy, the relationship of exchange rates to monetary policy, the major factors determining movements in interest rates and exchange rates in both the intermediate and long terms, and important issues in monetary theory (the study of the effect of money on the economy) will be examined. The role of interest rates in the working of the macro business environment.

Assessment

Distance -- Within semester assessment: 30%
Examination (2 hours): 70%.
On-campus -- Within semester assessment: 30%
Examination (2 hours): 70%

Contact hours

3 hours per week

Prerequisites

ECF1100 and ECF1200

Leader(s): Dr Ross Booth

Offered

Caulfield Second semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

This unit will cover: demand for sport, sports revenues, the economics of sports broadcasting, the pricing of sports events; why professional team sports leagues form, whether clubs are profit maximisers or win-maximisers, remedies for competitive imbalance such as player drafts, salary caps and revenue sharing, the role of player associations in professional sport; government subsidies in sport, the economic impact of sports events, stadium financing; case studies of professional team sports leagues in Australia, North America and Europe; globalisation in professional sport, future directions in sport.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• examine the so-called 'peculiar' characteristics of sports markets and the policy conclusions that follow
• analyse the role economic incentives play in determining the behaviour of controlling bodies, leagues, clubs, players, fans, sponsors, the media and government
• compare and contrast the key features of various sports markets in Australia and overseas
• apply the skills learnt to solve problems faced by sports businesses

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 50%
Examination (2 hours): 50%

Contact hours

3 hours per week

Prerequisites

ECF1100

Prohibitions

ECC2450, ECW2450

Leader(s): Dr Mita Bhattacharya

Offered

Caulfield First semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

International finance; the balance of payments accounts; the effect of macroeconomic policies on trade balance; foreign exchange markets -- spot, forward, futures and options markets; the determination of exchange rates; parity conditions; hedging and speculating in foreign exchange markets and exposure, foreign investment; euromarket; aspects of short-term and medium-term financing and international monetary system.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 30%
Examination (2 hours): 70%

Contact hours

3 hours per week

Prerequisites

ECF1200

Prohibitions

ECW2721

Leader(s): Dr Rebecca Valenzuela

Offered

Caulfield First semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

This unit introduces economic principles underlying consumer choice and market demand; describing consumer preferences, indifference curves and budget constraints, with particular emphasis on the role of prices as conveyors of information. It introduces economic tools and concepts for the analyses of consumption choices over time, under uncertainty and/or with risk, and in markets with asymmetric information. Other topics include work-leisure choice, wage changes and the supply of labour, and the provision of public goods and environmental goods. An examination of observed economic and social outcomes from the point of view of various normative criteria completes the coverage.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 40%
Examination (2 hours): 60%

Contact hours

3 hours per week

Prerequisites

ECF1100

Leader(s): Dr Birendra Rai

Offered

Caulfield First semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

Students will deepen their knowledge of the differing views of the firm. Topics include: the firm within a capitalist economic system; the macroeconomic constraints on the firm; the market structural constraints on the firm; differing perspectives of the firm - the conventional economic, technological view, the accounting, management and marketing views, the recent transaction costs and new classical view; how these different areas explain current issues such as downsizing and electronic commerce.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 40%
Examination (2 hours): 60%

Contact hours

3 hours per week

Prerequisites

ECF1100

Prohibitions

PMM2020

Leader(s): Mrs Judith Tennant

Offered

Berwick First semester 2009 (Day)
Berwick Second semester 2009 (Day)
Gippsland First semester 2009 (Day)
Gippsland First semester 2009 (Off-campus)
Gippsland Second semester 2009 (Day)
Gippsland Second semester 2009 (Off-campus)
Sunway First semester 2009 (Day)
Sunway Second semester 2009 (Day)
Singapore First semester 2009 (Off-campus)
Peninsula First semester 2009 (Day)
Peninsula Second semester 2009 (Day)
South Africa First semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

An introduction to the study of economics; consumer behaviour; demand and supply and the operation of markets; market efficiency and welfare; welfare effects of international trade; public sector economics; the behaviour of firms and the organisation of an industry; market structures -- perfect competition and monopoly; economies of the labour market.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 30%
Examination (3 hours): 70%

Contact hours

3 hours per week

Leader(s): Dr Jaai Parasnis

Offered

Berwick Second semester 2009 (Day)
Gippsland Second semester 2009 (Day)
Gippsland Second semester 2009 (Off-campus)
Sunway First semester 2009 (Day)
Sunway Second semester 2009 (Day)
Peninsula Second semester 2009 (Day)
South Africa Second semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

An introduction to the study of economics from a macroeconomic perspective including the following areas of study: trade in a global village, GDP as National Income and Aggregate Expenditure, savings and investment, unemployment, money and the Australian monetary system, aggregate demand and supply in the short and long run, monetary and fiscal policy including the related debates and in particular Australia as an open economy.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 30%
Examination (3 hours): 70%

Contact hours

3 hours per week

Leader(s): Dr Jaai Parasnis

Offered

Berwick First semester 2009 (Day)
Gippsland First semester 2009 (Day)
Gippsland First semester 2009 (Off-campus)
Sunway First semester 2009 (Day)
South Africa First semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

Topics include the supply of and the demand for labour, education and training, the operation of labour markets, including the role of institutions in the labour market, wage relativities, disadvantaged groups in the labour market, and the role of trade unions. Also included is a study of the macroeconomic implications of wage changes and a consideration of wages policy. Special attention is given to the current labour market conditions.

Objectives

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

• understand the operation of labour markets by drawing on basic economic principle
• think critically about the implications of labour market activity for society
• recognise the issues involved in labour market activities through a consideration of issues such as unemployment and labour market disadvantage
• apply analytical skills developed through an analysis of continuing change in the labour market and labour market policy.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 30%
Examination (3 hours): 70%

Contact hours

3 hours per week

Prerequisites

ECW1101