LAW5357 - Corporate governance and directors' duties - 2019

This unit will explore a range of recent trends and issues in corporate governance from an international perspective. Key areas discussed in this unit include:- the link between corporate scandals and corporate law reform; comparative corporate governance; institutional investor activism and shareholder stewardship; takeovers and the regulation of executive pay. In addition, the unit will examine the fundamental role occupied by the board of directors in modern corporate governance, including the rise of independent directors and the duties of directors and officers in Australia and elsewhere. It will also consider recent Australian corporate governance developments, such as the 2019 Banking Royal Commission (Hayne Commission).

On completion of this unit students will be able to:

• Gain a critical understanding of recent developments in corporate governance and directors’ duties, both in Australia and internationally.
• Investigate, analyse and synthesise complex information, problems, concepts and theories in relation to corporate governance and directors' duties.
• Conduct group research in relation to recent developments in corporate governance and directors' duties based on knowledge of appropriate research principle and methods.
• Use cognitive, technical and creative skills to generate and evaluate at an abstract level complex ideas and concepts relevant to corporate governance and corporate law reform.

10% general class participation
10% specialised group work presentation
20% in class quiz
60% takehome exam

24 contact hours per semester (either intensive, semi-intensive or semester long, depending on the Faculty resources, timetabling and requirements)