IC105-Ethics in Investment Management

Module Provider: ICMA Centre
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:4
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2020/1

Email: i.oikonomou@icmacentre.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

Ethics in Investment Management offers a series of lectures that explore the main ethical conflicts encountered by investment professionals as they invest other people’s money. It will examine the causes and consequences of both ethical and unethical behaviour, giving students the chance to see how individuals’ decisions affect trading partners, clients and the market as a whole. Some of the topics covered in this module feature in the CFA ethics syllabus, but this module should not be seen as an alternative to the specialist training for the CFA exams. 

Also, this module helps students learn key employability skills that will support them throughout their studies and in the workplace. 

Aims:

To introduce students to the ethical difficulties encountered by investment professionals as they invest other people’s money. 

Career aims: During this module, students will 

• Explore what makes a good team 


• Identify the key steps in time management and managing personal productivity


• Learn key negotiation concepts 


• Practise presentation skills 

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the course students will appreciate the ethical standards imposed by professional bodies and financial regulators. They will be able to identify the ethical dimension involved in the decision-making process, and be able to discuss the conflicts between economic efficiency and ethical behaviour. 

Employability related outcomes: 

• Teamwork – ability to articulate what makes a good team 


• Time m anagement – ability to prioritise, use time management tools and identify techniques for increased personal productivity


• Negotiation – ability to reach a negotiated outcome with others 


• Presentation – ability to plan and deliver compelling presentations 

Additional outcomes:

Students will gain experience in handling case studies and in debating with their peers. They will also gain significant exposure to the CFA’s Standards of Practice Handbook which contains the CFA Institute’s Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct. 

Additionally, the cohort of students will form a closer bond with each other and learn that they can achieve more through collaboration and that they should support each other throughout their entire programme. 

Outline content:

Lectures include: 

• Introduction to ethics 


• Ethical theories 


• Ethical decision making, investment recommendations and the finance professional 


• Duties to employers, codes of ethics and the case of whistleblowing 


• Fiduciary duties and the investment chain


• Socially responsible investment 


• Market integrity and market abuse 


• Remuneration and risk-taking in banking 


• Behavioural ethics 

Careers workshops designed to develop students’ team working, organisation, negotiation and presentation skills, all of which enhance employability. 

1. Team building exercises and reflective tasks that encourage students to reflect on what makes a good team and what roles they typically play in a team 


2. Group ta sks that mirror the sorts of activities that are set at assessment centres, developing the team building from workshop one and introducing some important time management and personal effectiveness concepts 


3. Negotiation tasks, teaching students negotiation skills


4. Presentation workshop, developing students presentation skills 

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

Lectures will be used to introduce and illustrate the theory and concepts discussed in the course. Seminars will allow the students to discuss specific cases, which further illustrate the ethical problems faced in financial markets.

Additionally, interactive workshops where students will participate in experiential learning, followed by some input from the facilitator and be signposted to further resources should they wish to continue to develop their knowledg e in these areas. 

Summative assessment- Examinations:

One 2 hour exam 

The exam covers the topics of the lectures and student will have to answer two out of four questions. The questions are open-ended questions. 

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

One written essay assignment and one video presentation (project output)

Essay (25% of the final mark)

Essay of approximately 2500 words to be submitted during Week 29. 

The essay is based on the material covered in the lecture and will shed light on an aspect of ethical conduct in the investment management industry. In the essay, students shall demonstrate an in-depth knowledge and high level of understanding of the subject matter as well as independent research of relevant literature. 

Project output (10% of final mark) 

Individual 5 min video presentation (10% of the final mark) where students articulate what they have learned and what they plan to do next to develop themselves for each of the employability –related assessable learning outcomes.

Formative assessment methods:

Self and peer evaluation of performance in each workshop 

Penalties for late submission:

Penalties for late submission on this module are in accordance with the University policy. 

Assessment requirements for a pass:

A minimum mark of 35% is required for a University pass.

Reassessment arrangements:

Re-sit examination to be taken in August/September

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

Last updated: 9 September 2020