COURSE NUMBER: MBA237.4

 

COURSE TITLE: International Finance

 

UNITS OF CREDIT: 2.0

 

INSTRUCTOR: Atif Mian

 

E-MAIL ADDRESS: atif@haas.berkeley.edu

 

CLASS WEB PAGE LOCATION:  http://bspace.berkeley.edu  

 

MEETING DAY(S)/TIME: Wednesdays 4:00 – 6:00PM

 

PREREQUISITE(S): MBA203

 

CLASS FORMAT: Cases and Lectures

 

REQUIRED READINGS: Cases, Course Reader and Text Book. Text Book Information: The Theory and Practice of International Financial Management by Reid Click and Josh Coval, ISBN 0-13-020457-9, Prentice Hall, 2002

 

BASIS FOR FINAL GRADE: Midterm, Class Participation, Case Grades, and Final Case.

 

ABSTRACT OF COURSE'S CONTENT AND OBJECTIVES:

This course addresses issues relating to valuation, risk management, financing and contractual design for firms operating in international markets.  It has a significant exposure to emerging markets as well. We analyze how risk and cash-flows should be evaluated in environments with varying levels of risk such as currency fluctuation, sovereign default, weak property rights etc. We discuss how certain types of risk can be eliminated or managed through the appropriate design of financial contracts, and how institutional differences across countries shape the structure and efficacy of private equity contracts. Other topics covered include firm policy and international tax regimes, microfinance, and valuing social return. The course ends with a discussion on the impact of global financial crises on firm financial policy.

 

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH:

Atif Mian holds a bachelors degree in Mathematics and Ph.D. in Economics from MIT. He has previously taught at the University of Chicago, Booth School of Business. His research studies links between financial markets and the macro economy. Professor Mian's work has emphasized the role played by political, governance, and organizational constraints in shaping the effectiveness and scope of financial markets. His more recent work centers on understanding issues such as the origins of the global financial crisis, the political economy of government intervention in financial markets, and the link between asset prices, household borrowing, and consumption. Professor Mian's research has appeared in top Economics and Finance journals, including American Economic Review, Quarterly Journal of Economics, Journal of Finance, Review of Financial Studies and Journal of Financial Economics. Professor Mian’s work has been profiled by leading media outlets such The Economist and The Wall Street Journal.