University of Essex

BE432-6-SP-CO:
Financial Crashes and Consequences

The details

Year: 2023/24

Department: Essex Business School

Campus: Colchester Campus

Term: Spring

Level: Undergraduate: Level 6

Status: Current

Start date: Monday 15 January 2024

End date: Friday 22 March 2024

Credits: 15

Last updated: 18 July 2023

Requisites for this module

Pre-requisites: (none)

Co-requisites: (none)

Pre and / or co-requisites: (none)

Prohibited modules: (none)

Key module (requisite for): (none)

Key module for

(none)

Module description

This module is designed to encourage engagement with a variety of topics covering the causes and consequences of financial crashes.

This module introduces the theoretical financial concepts within which crashes are analysed and understood. It then develops understanding of a variety other analytical frameworks such as law, history, economics and sociology through which financial crashes can be conceptualised. These understandings are developed through a range of media including not only traditional textbooks and journals but also film and documentary. Consequently, the module offers an insight into a range of current business considerations, management dilemmas, legal and ethical predicaments, and public governance issues relating to the current business environment.

Overall, the module provides an introduction to the state of the present economy and a critical examination of the consequences for business rooted in series of real world case studies.

Module aims

The aim of this module is:

To enable understanding of the financial crises that created the current business environment and to critically examine the implications.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of this module, students will be expected to be able to:

Understand the role of financial crises in the historical evolution of the current business environment.

Critically assess the political, economic, socio-cultural, technological and legal dimensions of financial crises.

Understand a range of contemporary issues and challenges facing business organizations as a result of financial crises.

Skills for Your Professional Life (Transferable Skills)

After completing this module you should have:

Enhanced written communication skills through the preparation of coursework assignments.

Improved oral communication skills through class discussions and presentations.

Improved research skills through researching in preparation for coursework.

Enhanced teamwork-collaboration skills through in-class group exercises.

Developed digital and technical fluency skills through the use of tablets, laptops and smartphones in preparation for lectures and classes, preparation of assignments, and participation in lectures/classes using the EVS.

Module information

No additional information available.

Learning and teaching methods

This module will be delivered via:

Nine 2-hour lectures comprising formal teaching, interactive activities and group discussions.

Bibliography

Reinhart, C.M. and Rogoff, K.S. (2009) This time is different: eight centuries of financial folly. Princeton: Princeton University Press. Available at: https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/universityofessex-ebooks/detail.action?docID=5406261.
Aliber, R.Z., Kindleberger, C.P. and McCauley, R.N. (2023b) Manias, panics, and crashes: a history of financial crises. Eighth edition. Cham, Switzerland: Palgrave Macmillan. Available at: https://link-springer-com.uniessexlib.idm.oclc.org/book/10.1007/978-3-031-16008-0.
Kay, J.A. (2015a) Other people’s money: masters of the universe or servants of the people? London: Profile Books. Available at: https://app.kortext.com/Shibboleth.sso/Login?entityID=https://idp0.essex.ac.uk/shibboleth&target=https://app.kortext.com/borrow/349433.
Quinn, W. and Turner, J.D. (2020) ‘Bubbles in history’, Business History, pp. 1–20. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1080/00076791.2020.1844668.
Galbraith, J.K. (1994) A short history of financial euphoria. New York, N.Y.: Whittle Books in association with Penguin Books. Available at: https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/universityofessex-ebooks/detail.action?docID=6096841.
Earl, P.E., Peng, T.-C. and Potts, J. (2007) ‘Decision-rule cascades and the dynamics of speculative bubbles’, Journal of Economic Psychology, 28(3), pp. 351–364. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joep.2006.08.001.
Booth, W.C. et al. (2016) The craft of research. Fourth edition. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press. Available at: https://app.kortext.com/Shibboleth.sso/Login?entityID=https://idp0.essex.ac.uk/shibboleth&target=https://app.kortext.com/borrow/238182.
Galbraith, J.K. (1973) The great crash 1929. 3rd ed. [S.l: s.n.].
Aliber, R.Z., Kindleberger, C.P. and McCauley, R.N. (2023b) Manias, panics, and crashes: a history of financial crises. Eighth edition. Cham, Switzerland: Palgrave Macmillan. Available at: https://link-springer-com.uniessexlib.idm.oclc.org/book/10.1007/978-3-031-16008-0.
Teeter, P. and Sandberg, J. (2017) ‘Cracking the enigma of asset bubbles with narratives’, Strategic Organization, 15(1), pp. 91–99. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1177/1476127016629880.
Acharya, V.V. and Richardson, M. (2009) ‘Causes of the Financial Crisis’, Critical Review, 21(2/3), pp. 195–210. Available at: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/08913810902952903.
Ferguson, N. (2001) The cash nexus: money and power in the modern world, 1700-2000. London: Allen Lane. Available at: https://app.kortext.com/Shibboleth.sso/Login?entityID=https://idp0.essex.ac.uk/shibboleth&target=https://app.kortext.com/borrow/2456956.
Roberts, R. and McCraw, T. (2007) ‘Thomas McCraw on Schumpeter, Innovation, and Creative Destruction.’ Econlib. Available at: https://www.econtalk.org/mccraw-on-schumpeter-innovation-and-creative-destruction/.
Alm, R. and Cox, W.M. (no date) Creative Destruction. Econlib. Available at: https://www.econlib.org/library/Enc/CreativeDestruction.html#lfHendersonCEE2-036_table_017.
Sandel, M.J. (2013) What money can’t buy: the moral limits of markets. London: Penguin. Available at: https://app.kortext.com/Shibboleth.sso/Login?entityID=https://idp0.essex.ac.uk/shibboleth&target=https://app.kortext.com/borrow/614947.
MacKenzie, D.A. (no date) An engine, not a camera: how financial models shape markets. Cambridge, Mass: MIT Press. Available at: https://doi-org.uniessexlib.idm.oclc.org/10.7551/mitpress/9780262134606.001.0001.

The above list is indicative of the essential reading for the course.
The library makes provision for all reading list items, with digital provision where possible, and these resources are shared between students.
Further reading can be obtained from this module's reading list.

Assessment items, weightings and deadlines

Coursework / exam	Description	Deadline	Coursework weighting

Additional coursework information

This module is assessed by 100% coursework, a single 3,000 word essay examining the causes, key events and consequences of financial crashes.

Exam format definitions

Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary, for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.

Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.

Overall assessment

Coursework	Exam
100%	0%

Reassessment

Coursework	Exam
100%	0%

Module supervisor and teaching staff

Supervisor: Dr Hardy Thomas, email: hardt@essex.ac.uk.

Teaching staff: Dr Hardy Thomas

Contact details: ebsugcol@essex.ac.uk

Availability

Available to incoming Essex Abroad / Exchange students: No

Available to Outside Option: Yes

Available to Audit: No

External examiner

Name: Dr Hf Guo

Institution: University of Durham

Academic role: Assistant Professor in Finance

Resources

Teaching materials: Available via Moodle

Lecture recording: No lecture recording information available for this module.

Further information

Department website: Essex Business School

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The full Procedures, Rules and Regulations of the University governing how it operates are set out in the Charter, Statutes and Ordinances and in the University Regulations, Policy and Procedures.

Module Directory

BE432-6-SP-CO:Financial Crashes and Consequences