Study of a select range of topics relating to banking and finance and may include market efficiency, behavioral finance, asset pricing theories, international banking and finance, options theory and productivity and performance in financial institutions, international trade, and foreign direct investments.

Each student in this course will write a research paper on an instructor-approved topic of their choice.

This class will be taught using selected academic manuscripts as models for the research paper which will be written by the students.

The grade in this course will be based on the research paper written during the course and participation during class discussions.

Alternatively, any student who gets published in the My Turn column of The Birmingham News, with the publication mentioning the Michael E Stephens College of Business at the Univeristy of Montevallo, will receive an A in the class. To submit to My Turn, mail your 600-word commentary to Editorial Page, P.O. Box 2553, Birmingham, AL 35202; e-mail them at oped@bhamnews.com; or send a fax to 325-3345. Please include your phone number with the submission.

All students are expected to attend all class meetings, to come to class on or before the time the class starts, and stay until the end of class. Absences will adversely affect your grade. If for a very good reason you show up late or need to leave early, please do so as quietly as possible. Should you miss a class, you are responsible for all material covered, including announcements and handouts

I do not bring my notes or other material to class after the class in which they are used. Any extra handouts are thrown away after class. If you miss a class, it is your responsibility to get notes, missed handouts, or other information from one of your classmates.

The course includes formal lectures, class participation and take home projects. The assigned readings should be completed prior to each class.

All papers, exams and any other written or printed materials collected by the professor become the property of the professor at the end of the semester. Unless otherwise requested, materials will be saved only until the first class of the following semester and then destroyed.

The University of Montevallo expects each and every student to maintain the highest principles of academic honesty and integrity. Violations of academic honesty represent a breach of the University’s expectations and will be regarded as a serious matter. All work in this class is expected to be your own efforts. Collaborating with other students on exams or assignments, other than group projects that may be assigned, is prohibited. This is not intended to discourage study groups, only to discourage an individual from taking credit for the work of the group. Please read the University’s policy on plagiarism and academic dishonesty published in the current Fledgling.

The University of Montevallo provides equal opportunity to qualified students.  If you have a disability (medical, physical, learning, psychological, etc.) and wish to request disability-related accommodations to complete course requirements, contact the Office of Services for Students with Disabilities (located in Main Hall, rear entrance; 665-6250).  Course requirements cannot be waived, but reasonable accommodations may be provided based on disability documentation and course objectives.  Accommodations cannot be made retroactively.

It is my goal to devote the time, effort, and resources necessary to properly instruct each student, and the class as a whole, in the course subject matter and general business theories.

Feel free to call or e-mail me with any questions or to schedule a meeting, regardless of my office hours.