Course Syllabus
Contact Information
Course Prerequisites
Prerequisite: graduate standing and FIN 5112: Investments and FIN 5322: Risk Management.
Course Materials
The Economics of Money, Banking, & Financial Markets, by Mischkin, 13th Edition.
- Unbound hard copy: ISBN 9780136894353
- eBook: ISBN 9780136893882
These are available at VitalSource. Enter one of the above ISBNs at their website.
Grades
Breakdown
| Activity | Description | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Midterm #1 | Midterm will consist of 62 multiple-choice questions. The questions will mostly be of a conceptual nature, with a few mathematical problems. | 20% |
| Midterm #2 | Midterm will consist of 62 multiple-choice questions. The questions will mostly be of a conceptual nature, with a few mathematical problems. | 20% |
| Assignments | Weekly assignments assessing understanding of each module's content. | 5% |
| Weekly Discussion Questions | Weekly posts offering elaboration or seeking clarification on each module's content. | 5% |
| Final | Final will consist of 62 multiple-choice questions. The questions will mostly be of a conceptual nature, with a few mathematical problems. | 20% |
| Research Project |
The research project will explore the effects of the money supply and interest rates on their bank’s revenue, expenses and profits. |
30% |
| Total | 100% |
There are no extra credit or bonus opportunities in this course.
Your letter grade for the course will be computed in a manner that is consistent with the Finance division's grading policy. Letter grades will be assigned according to the following schedule:
| Percentage | Letter Grade |
|---|---|
| 90–100% | A |
| 80–89% | B |
| 70–79% | C |
| 60–69% | D |
| Below 60% | F |
Please note that I round down. For example, 79.9% is a C.
It is possible that I may add points to one or more of your graded items, based on the distribution of scores for the class. Do not count on these 'curve' points because they might not happen! The above schedule gives you the scores to aim for.
Course Components
Reading
Assigned reading is an important component of the course and should be completed before the weekly Live Session. Each week you will have 1 or 2 chapters assigned from the textbook and listed in each module.
Pre-Recorded Lectures
The pre-recorded lectures in each module clarify and elaborate on concepts presented in the week's assigned readings. The lectures should be watched before the weekly Live Session; notes and questions taken from the lectures will help you engage in the weekly discussion boards and Live Session discussions.
Assignments
The purpose of the weekly assignments is to assess your understanding of the course material and to develop critical thinking skills. Homework assignments will be administered weekly and are to be completed and submitted individually.
Weekly Discussion Questions
Discussion boards provide a great opportunity to build community in an online environment. Each week, you are to post a question or comment in which you offer elaboration or seek clarification on the module's topic. I will address a portion of these, at least, during our Live Session for group discussion. While you are not required to respond to your peers on the discussion boards, you are welcome to respond to each other to sustain on-topic conversation outside of each week's meeting.
Note: Earning points for your discussion post is conditional upon your attendance at the associated week's Live Session.
Exams
Midterms will be multiple-choice, 62 questions each. The questions will mostly be of a conceptual nature, with a few mathematical problems. You may use a calculator or Microsoft Excel. You will have 90 minutes to complete the exams once you start, and will have a one-week window to take each of the first 2 exams, and a 4–day window to take the final exam.
The final exam will be multiple-choice, 62 questions. You will have 90 minutes to complete the exam once you start, and will have a 5 day window to take each exam.
Bank Research Project
Live Sessions
Join the weekly Live Session and take advantage of the opportunity to participate in in-class activities and lectures, ask questions, and interact with fellow students in real-time. If you have a scheduling conflict that prohibits you from attending the Live Session on Mondays at 7:00 p.m. (Central), you have the opportunity to view the recording of our virtual meeting. The Live Session recording will be posted on that week's Live Session page within 48 hours after the virtual meeting.
If you miss a Monday night Live Session, you will not get credit for the discussion questions that week unless you watch the recording of of the virtual meeting, write a 2-page summary of the missed Live Session, and email it to the me by 11:59 p.m. (Central) Friday of that week.
Note: You may only use this option for a maximum of 2 Live Sessions during the semester.
Course Policies
Communication
The best way to contact me is via email at James.H.Rauch-1@ou.edu. When emailing me, please tell me which class and section you are in. Please email me directly. The messaging facility on Canvas is problematic.
Late Policy
Late work will be accepted only in the event the student has a University excuse.
Honor Code
All students enrolled in this class are expected to abide by all aspects of OU's Honor Code. The two basic tenets of this Code are:
- Students will behave honorably, ethically, and responsibly in all academic matters both inside the classroom and in outside work related to their courses.
- Students who are aware of academic misconduct in any form will report the violation to the instructor or other school representative. Students who are aware of academic misconduct and who fail to report the violation are considered to be guilty of academic misconduct themselves.
For more details on the Honor Code, please check OU's Academic Integrity page or ask the instructor.
University Academic Policies and Student Support
Access the University Academic Policies Document.
Course Summary:
| Date | Details | Due |
|---|---|---|