Form C4 / Heriot-Watt University - Course Descriptor
1.  Course Code / C31CG / 2.  Course Title / Corporate Governance: Theory and Research / 3.  SCQF Level / 11 / 4.  Credits / 15
5.  School / Management and Languages / 6.  Course Coordinator / Dr Edward Jones
7. Delivery: Location & Semester / EdinP
Sem 1 / SBC
Sem…. / Orkney
Sem……….. / Dubai P
Sem 1 / IDL
Sem…. / Collaborative Partner
Name…………………….....Sem..…... / Approved Learning Partner
Name …………………………………Sem………..
8.  Pre-requisites
9.  Linked Courses (specify if synoptic)
10.  Excluded Courses
11.  Replacement Courses / Code:
Date Of Replacement: / 12.  Degrees for which this is a core course / MSc. in Finance, MSc. Finance and Management
(and an elective course for: MSc in Investment Management and MSc. in International Accounting and Finance)
13.  The course may be delivered to: / UG only / PG only P / UG & PG / 14.  Available as an Elective? / Yes
15.  Aims
To develop and understanding of issues relating to corporate governance and the financial research methods used to approach them.
16.  Syllabus
Principal-Agent Theory
Stakeholder Theory
Methodology for studying Corporate Governance
Internal Corporate Governance Mechanisms
Board of Directors
Executive Compensation
The Market for Corporate Control
17.  Learning Outcomes (HWU Core Skills: Employability and Professional Career Readiness)
Subject Mastery
/ Understanding, Knowledge and Cognitive Skills / Scholarship, Enquiry and Research (Research-Informed Learning)
The learner will be able to evaluate and critically analyze academic research and enable informed judgment on the current market practice in the following areas:
·  theoretical underpinnings of corporate governance
·  event study methodology
·  effects of different corporate governance mechanisms on managerial behavior and shareholder wealth
cross-country differences in corporate governance practices

Personal Abilities

/ Industrial, Commercial & Professional Practice / Autonomy, Accountability & Working with Others / Communication, Numeracy & ICT
The learner will be able to:
·  Be aware of the different sources of information, its relevance and value and its credibility, and how it can be used in the area of finance.
·  Be aware of and able to critically evaluate the academic debate over the design of corporate governance mechanisms from the point of view of different stakeholders.
18.  Assessment Methods / 19.  Re-assessment Methods
Method / Duration of Exam
(if applicable) / Weighting (%) / Synoptic courses? / Method / Duration of Exam
(if applicable) / Diet(s)
Exam / 2 hours / 70% / no / Exam / 2 hours
Coursework / 30%
20.  Date and Version
Date of Proposal / February 2012 / Date of Approval by School Committee / Date of Implementation / Version Number / 2

1 / 2