GEORGE MASON
UNIVERSITY
INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE
SYLLABUS Fall 2001
D. Gianturco
Course ITRN 602
Phone: (703) 525-096
Fax: (703) 276-8851
E-mail:fwa@mindspring.com
International Financial Institutions and Globalization
Focuses on the activities and roles of financial institutions in the international financial system. This course examines basic concepts in international finance and international, regional and national financial markets. Key policy issues are discussed such as the environment, ethical questions, equity issues, national interests, the debt crisis, developing countries’ needs, and the differing concerns of borrowers, lenders and investors. A variety of financial instruments are examined and case studies of particular transactions are explored. This course provides a conceptual foundation for understanding of the sources of financing for international transactions.
The course will be conducted as a seminar, with a combination of lectures, guest speakers, discussions and case studies. Grades will be based upon the following: 1) mid-term examination – 33.3%, (2) class participation – 33.3%, (3) final examination – 33.3%. The mid-term and final examinations will be take home exams.
The textbook for the course is International Financial Institutions by Age F. Bakker. Longman Publishing Group, 1996. Students will be provided with free copies of international financial institutions’ annual reports, excerpts from studies, and other written materials pertaining to the subject matter of the course.
September 10 Activities and Role of the World Bank Group (IBRD, IDA, MIGA, IFC)
September 17 Activities and Role of International Monetary Fund (IMF) and National Monetary Authorities (Central Banks)
Guest Speaker-IMF
September 24 Activities and Role of Regional Development Banks (Inter-American, Asian, African, Europe Banks)
Guest Speaker – Inter – American Development Bank
October 1 Activities and Role of Concessional Lenders and Grant Agencies (USAID)
October 10 Activities and Role of Foreign Direct Investors and Portfolio Investors (Trends, Techniques and Issues)
October 15 Activities and Role of Export Credit Agencies and Investment Insurers (Eximbank, OPIC, etc.)
Guest Speaker - U.S. Eximbank
October 22 Activities and Role of Commercial Banks (Trends, Techniques and Issues)
Guest Speaker – Bankers Association for Finance and Trade
Mid-Term Exam Handed Out
October 29 Mechanics and Operation of Financial Markets (Currency, Loan and Stock Markets)
Guest Speaker – A.G. Edwards, Inc.
Mid-Term Exam Due
November 5 Types of Financial Instruments (Debt, Equity, and Currency Instruments)
November 12 Country Risk Analysis (Political and Economic Factors)
November 19 Corporate and Project Risk Analysis (Financial, Technical and Credit Analysis)
Guest Speaker – First Washington Associates, Ltd.
November 26 International Debt Issues (Environmental Concerns, Debt and Development, Payment Problems, Aid and Trade, etc.)
December 3 Regional International Finance Concerns (Central and Eastern Europe, Former Soviet Union, China, Southeast Asia, Africa, Middle East, Latin America)
Final Exam Handed Out