Sustainable Finance Project
| Module title | Sustainable Finance Project |
|---|---|
| Module code | BEAM101 |
| Academic year | 2024/5 |
| Credits | 30 |
| Module staff | Professor Angela Christidis (Lecturer) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 6 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 30 |
|---|
Module description
Sustainable finance integrates environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria into financial decisions. This module will introduce students to the latest development of theory and practice in sustainable and responsible finance. Students will develop an understanding of the principles underlying sustainable and responsible decision-making in finance, their theoretical underpinning, and the guidelines on how to apply them in business and investment practice. This course will be delivered in an intensive block over two weeks. Content is delivered by experts in their field and there will be an opportunity to share, reflect, and engage with other practitioners in the workshops. At the end of the course, students will complete a sustainable finance project and develop an action plan that promotes sustainable finance in their environment.
Module aims - intentions of the module
- To introduce students to cutting edge theory and practice in sustainable and responsible finance.
- To develop in-depth insight into the strategic implications of environmental and sustainability challenges for financial systems.
- To enhance student employability through engaging students in the latest development in sustainable and responsible finance and their implications for business and investment practice.
- To develop a critical orientation towards the subject matter and an understanding of how the principles are applied in practice.
- To equip the students with practical application and technical knowledge to work towards CFA Certificate in ESG Investing (optional).
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. critically evaluate sustainable and responsible finance concepts, theories and techniques
- 2. develop an understanding of the broader sustainability context and global initiatives
- 3. evaluate theory-practice links between ESG and financial decisions
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 4. critically appraise contemporary issues and trends in sustainable finance and the implications of sustainability for financial tools and techniques and investment opportunities
- 5. explore the current and future impacts of climate change on environment, economy, society, and the financial services sector
- 6. develop the skills to create sustainable finance strategies and lead integration into traditional financial management practices
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 7. demonstrate self-motivated inquiry within the subject area and effective use of learning resources
- 8. present strategic analyses in written form based on case materials and empirical research
Syllabus plan
The syllabus list is indicative.
- Environmental, social and governance (ESG) and finance in practice
- Responsible business and firm value
- Sustainable and responsible investments (SRI)
- Climate finance and impact investing
- ESG analysis, valuation and integration
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 44 | 256 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning & Teaching activities | 44 | Interactive workshop / study sessions (One 8-hour session plus nine 4-hour sessions) |
| Guided Independent Study | 256 | Private study with remote support |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Study Sessions | 1 x 8 hours plus 9 x 4 hours | 1-8 | Verbal, ELE |
| Online MCQ tests and applied exercises | Weekly (1-hour) | 1-8 | Feedback and comments on ELE |
| Engagement with online discussion forum in relation to relevant areas | Online discussion contributions | 1-8 | Online discussion feedback from peers and lecturer |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 50 | 50 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MCQ test | 50 | 1.5 hour | 1-8 | Correct answers |
| Coursework | 50 | 4,000-word individual contemporary research project | 1-8 | Written Feedback |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| MCQ test | MCQ test (1.5-hour) | 1-8 | 3 months after original submission date |
| Coursework | Revise and re-submit coursework 100% (4,000 words | 1-8 | 3 months after original submission date |
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Basic reading:
- Bril, H. Kell, G. and Rasche, A. (2021). Sustainable Investing: A Path to a New Horizon. New York: Routledge.
- Edmans, A. (2020). Grow the pie: How great companies deliver both purpose and profit. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
- Sherwood, M. W. and Pollard, J. (2019). Responsible Investing: An Introduction to Environmental, Social, and Governance Investments. Oxon, England; New York, New York: Routledge.
- Thompson, S. (2021). Green and sustainable finance: principles and practice. London, England; New York, New York: Kogan Page Limited.
| Credit value | 30 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 15 |
| Module pre-requisites | BEAM047 or BEAM072 |
| Module co-requisites | none |
| NQF level (module) | 7 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 06/09/2022 |
| Last revision date | 25/01/2023 |
