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DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2013/2014 -
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DRPS : Course Catalogue : School of Law : Law

Postgraduate Course: Comparative and International Corporate Governance (LAWS11306)

Course Outline
SchoolSchool of Law CollegeCollege of Humanities and Social Science
Course typeOnline Distance Learning AvailabilityAvailable to all students
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) Credits20
Home subject areaLaw Other subject areaNone
Course website http://www.law.ed.ac.uk/teaching/online_distance_learning/llm_degrees/llm_in_law/modules/comparative_and_international_corporate_governance Taught in Gaelic?No
Course descriptionThis module focuses on the theory, law and practice of the governance of corporations across different jurisdictions and at supra-national level. Corporate governance regulates the relationships between various corporate constituencies (directors, officers, majority and minority shareholders, employees, creditors) with a view to establishing an adequate system of controls that prevents any single corporate constituency from acquiring overriding power or influence. Because legal systems rank social priorities differently, several models of corporate governance have emerged worldwide.
Throughout this module students will acquire comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the main theoretical approaches to governance of companies. They will explore the mechanisms that different models of corporate governance adopt to mitigate the conflicts between different kinds of corporate constituencies, and the main sources of diversity of corporate governance systems. Students will use these theoretical tools critically to analyse the advantages and shortcomings of the main North American, European and Asian governance systems. Upon successful completion of this module, students will acquire a trans-national and inter-disciplinary understanding of the tensions among corporate constituencies and the policy strategies adopted by various jurisdictions to tackle them.

Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements Please contact the distance learning team at escript.support@ed.ac.uk
Additional Costs Students should have regular and reliable access to the Internet.
Information for Visiting Students
Pre-requisitesPlease contact the distance learning team at escript.support@ed.ac.uk
Displayed in Visiting Students Prospectus?No
Course Delivery Information
Delivery period: 2013/14 Semester 2, Available to all students (SV1) Learn enabled:  Yes Quota:  None
Web Timetable Web Timetable
Class Delivery Information This course is taught by distance learning.
Course Start Date 13/01/2014
Breakdown of Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) Total Hours: 200 ( Seminar/Tutorial Hours 40, Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4, Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours 156 )
Additional Notes
Breakdown of Assessment Methods (Further Info) Written Exam 0 %, Coursework 100 %, Practical Exam 0 %
No Exam Information
Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes
By the end of the module, students will be able to:
1. Understand the meaning and relevance of the main theories of corporate governance:
- understand the causes of the conflicts between managers, shareholders and other stakeholders, and the role of corporate governance in managing these conflicts;
- analyse the premises, substance and rationale of the shareholder primacy theory, the stakeholder primacy theory and the board primacy theory;
- compare and contrast the policy objectives that underpin the main corporate governance theories.

2. Demonstrate a comprehensive and critical understanding of main corporate governance systems worldwide:
- understand the particularities of the main national corporate governance models discussed throughout the course;
- analyse the emerging international standards in the area of corporate governance.

3. Demonstrate the development of key research, communication and personal effectiveness skills:
- the ability to synthesise and communicate information and ideas effectively;
- the ability to work independently, seeking relevant advice and support when necessary.
Assessment Information
One essay of up to 4,000 words (60%); one individual assignment (20%); contribution to weekly online discussions throughout the semester (20%). Requirements for all module assessment will be outlined to students within the individual modules at the start of each semester.
Special Arrangements
This course is taught by distance learning.
Additional Information
Academic description Not entered
Syllabus 1. Fundamental concepts of corporate governance
2. Drivers of corporate governance: law, politics and culture
3. Corporate governance codes: origins, perspectives, enforcement
4. The market for corporate control: the role of hostile takeovers
5. Shareholder activism and corporate governance
6. Employee involvement in corporate governance
7. Transparency, internal control and risk management mechanisms
8. Corporate social responsibility and socially responsible investment
9. EU-level corporate governance
10. Globalisation and corporate governance
Transferable skills Not entered
Reading list Not entered
Study Abroad Not entered
Study Pattern Not entered
KeywordsNot entered
Contacts
Course organiserMr Remus Valsan
Tel: (0131 6)50 2008
Email: Remus.Valsan@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMs Clare Polson
Tel: (0131 6)51 4411
Email: Clare.Polson@ed.ac.uk
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