Course requirements
Master degree in Law. This course is part of the Advanced Master Law and Finance.
More information: https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/education/study-programmes/master/law-and-finance
Course information
This course will introduce students to the general principles of corporate governance and the role that corporate governance plays in the financial sector. It thus combines and builds on much of the material covered in other courses within the Law & Finance programme.
Corporate governance is a topic of considerable interest to a large and expanding section of the community. Good governance is a vital part of any corporation, both within and beyond the financial sector. Equally, weak corporate governance can have severe repercussions. This is particularly true within the financial sector, where failures in governance and risk management can have an effect on the entire financial system and broader economy.
Building on the ideas of good corporate governance, students will be introduced to corporate social responsibility and ethics. In the context of the financial sector, ethics is particularly relevant, given the outcry on moral standards in finance following the Great Financial Crisis as well as other large scandals, such as LIBOR-rigging, various mis-selling scandals, and cases of facilitating money laundering.
The course aims to provide students with the tools to create their own view on corporate governance practices and on ethics. During the course students will have the opportunity to compare the approach of different jurisdictions on corporate governance, in general and in the financial sector.
Course learning objectives
This course aims to introduce students to the role that corporate governance plays in the financial sector and discuss the general principles of corporate governance.
Students are able to discuss, critically assess, and reach their own independent view the key elements of corporate governance, both in general and in the financial sector specifically;
Students are able to present the corporate governance approach of their own jurisdiction, either alone or in a team.
Students are able to discuss, critically assess, and reach their own independent view on ethical issues within the financial sector;
Students are able to host a discussion forum on selected topics of corporate governance.
Mode of instruction
Lectures & Seminars
Number of (2 hour) lectures & seminars: 10
Names of lecturers: Ebbe Rogge M.Sc. M.A. LL.M. Ph.D.
Required preparation by students: reading of prescribed materials, preparation of case studies and any other assignments.
Examination method
Oral presentation: 30%
Final exam: 70%
The final grade, on the scale from 1 (poor) to 10 (outstanding), for the course is established by determining the weighted average of the oral presentation and final exam and rounded to full grades. Grade 6 (5.5 rounded) is a pass.
Oral presentation:
Students are required to deliver a 15 minute presentation on an assigned topic which is part of the relevant subject discussed during the course. The oral presentation cannot be retaken. The presentation needs to be submitted through Brightspace in suitable format. Depending on the number of students this setup, format etc. may vary in order to facilitate the discussions during the seminars.
Final exam:
The final exam will cover all the material delivered during the lectures and the seminars. It will be a written or a take-home exam.
Further information about the oral presentation and the exam will be communicated to students through Brightspace at the start of the course.
Brightspace
The Course Booklet, Lecture Slides, as well as most of the required & recommended reading material will available to be downloaded from Brightspace.
Course materials
Reader:
For this course, required and recommended reading will be contained in the Course Booklet, as well as the Lecture Slides. The Course Booklet, Lecture Slides, as well as most of the required & recommended reading material will available to be downloaded from Brightspace.
Contact
Course Coordinator:
Ebbe Rogge M.Sc. M.A. LL.M. Ph.D.
Email address: e.rogge@law.leidenuniv.nl
Programme Coordinator:
Ms. Orsolya Kalsbeek-Bagdi
Email address: lawandfinance@law.leidenuniv.nl
Disclaimer: This course has been updated to the best of our knowledge at the current time of publishing. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the fluctuating changes in lock down regulations all information contained within this course description are subject to change up to 1 September 2021.
Due to the uncertainty of the Covid-19 virus after 1 September 2021, changes to the course description can only be made in the event of strict necessity and only in the circumstances where the interests of the students are not impinged. Should there be a need for any change during the duration of the course, this will be informed to all students on a timely basis and will not be to the prejudice of students. Modifications after 1 September 2021 may only be done with the approval and consent of the Faculty Board.