5ECON005W
(2022-2023)
Financial Portfolio
The financial portfolio accounts for 60% of your assessment. Students are expected to individually complete two out of six. In each task, you will need to demonstrate your understanding of the modules learning outcomes and reflect on your learning experience.
Demonstrating your understanding of the modules
This means that demonstrating an understanding of concepts of financial markets by using case studies, examples, equations and graphs to explain the problem. Analysis also involves considering alterative view points (theories or concepts or angles) in order to explain the wider implications on people, businesses and the wider economy. Finally, analysis also involves showing evidence of researching facts and supporting your explanation with evidence.
Reflecting on your learning experience.
This means using the knowledge gained about financial markets to show how you can make financial decisions or give an opinion supported by evidence from personal experience to show the connection between concepts.
Task (60%)
Submission Date: 1pm on Thursday 13th April, 2023 (Week 12)
Table 1 presents 6 tasks. Each task is associated with a specific learning outcome in this module and is linked to specific lecture or specific lectures. You are required to complete any two out of the six tasks.
Word limit for each task: 1000 words.
Total word count: 2,000 words
Table 1: Question 1 to Question 6 (Choose any two to answer)
| Question | Lecture | Learning Outcome | Problem |
| 1 | Week 1&2 | Explain the conceptual framework for comparing the financial systems of different economies. | You have learnt that the basic function of financial system is to channel funds from savers to borrowers. In your opinion, how have businesses been supported through indirect finance? How will studying Money, Banking and Financial Markets increase your knowledge of the sources of funds for businesses. |
| 2 | 1&2 | Distinguish between different types of financial system identifying components and appreciating the significance of financial developments. | You have learnt about the financial system and its components. How has this increased your understanding of how financial intermediaries increase efficiency in the economy? Do you think the recent pandemic increase the problem of adverse selection, moral hazard or both? |
| 3 | 2&3 | Apply analytical frameworks and use relevant economic principles to describe the role and operation of money markets, financial markets and institutions. | Real estate prices in the UK have been rising[1]. Use your understanding of the bond market and money market to explain the effect on bond prices and interest rates. As a student of money, banking and financial markets, would you advise your friend to apply for a mortgage to buy a house now? |
| 4 | 5&6 | Disaggregate and assemble data to critically evaluate financial systems, including their structure, organisation, and limitations | You have learnt about the Stock Market. Collect share price data over the last 3 months on any of UK supermarkets i.e. Tesco, Sainsbury, ASDA or Morrisons. Check out the news for two supermarkets. Do you think the share prices of your chosen supermarket are affected by rising inflation?. What does your understanding of stock markets imply about the link between inflation and how share prices are valued? |
| 5 | 8&9 | Disaggregate and assemble data to critically evaluate financial systems, including their structure, organisation, and limitations | You have learnt about the role of Central Banks. In your opinion, do you think that the independence of Central Bank from Government makes it easier or difficult to achieve economic goals. |
| 6 | 11&12 | Communicate information accurately and effectively both orally and in writing. | You have learnt about the determinants of the exchange rate in the short-run and long-run. Using an example, what determines the exchange rate in the short-run and in the long-run? In your opinion, do short-run or long-run models best explain the weakening of the British Pound as reported by BBC (check https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-northern-ireland-35365268 ) |
Guidelines on Reflection in Your Financial Portfolio
- Log on to blackboard and click the e-portfolio. This is where you record your answer to each task and reflect on what you have learnt.
- The word limit for each question is 1,000 words ± 10%. You will be penalised for writing more than the word limit.
- You must study the lecture materials before attempting each task.
- You must submit your answer by the stated deadline for each assignment on blackboard. Failure to do this will incur a penalty.
- In each task, your answers must demonstrate the following:
- a clear understanding of concepts.
- the application of theory or concepts learnt in Money Banking and Financial Markets.
- demonstrate an understanding of the question and the ability to draw meaning from the new knowledge you have gained. As part of your analysis, you can either use equations, graphs, examples and case studies to show understanding of the task.
- draw meaning from the knowledge gained during the lecture and seminar.
- Academic references must be included your reflection.
Formative Feedback
This will mainly take place during the seminar where you will be able to reflect on your approach to the questions. The questions will also be discussed briefly during the lecture to ensure you understand what is expected.
Summative Feedback
Each question you complete in the financial portfolio will be graded using the following criteria below
Table 2: Assessment Criteria for Financial Portfolio
| Criterion | Weighting |
| Clarity ( language, expression discussion of concepts, ) | 20% |
| Relevance (subject knowledge, understanding, reflection suitability) | 40% |
| Analysis (use of graphs, charts, equations, examples or case studies, research draw meaning from what has been learnt) | 40% |
Grading Criteria
| Assessment Citeria | 80-100 | 70-79 | 60-69 | 50-59 | 40-49 | 20-39 |
| Clarity | Language is clear and accurate explanation of concepts. Learner can explain concepts in a way that paints an accurate mental picture of what is described | Language is clear and accurate explanation of concepts | Language is clear and explanation of concepts make sense. | Minor lapses in clarity and accuracy in the explanation of concepts | Frequent lapses in clarity and accuracy in the explanations of concepts | Language is unclear and explanation of concepts confusing |
| Relevance | Demonstrates exceptional critical analysis of theories and concepts to demonstrate subject knowledge. Shows independent reflective thought that is meaningful to student and relevant to learning outcomes. | Demonstrates critical analysis of theories and concepts to demonstrate subject knowledge. Reflection on concepts and principles is meaningful to student and relevant to learning outcomes. | Good analysis and theories to demonstrate subject knowledge. Able to reflect on key concepts and principles. | Use of appropriate theories to demonstrate subject knowledge but there are some inaccuracies. Makes an attempt to reflect on new knowledge | Weaknesses or omissions in the application of theories to demonstrate subject knowledge. Makes an attempt to reflect but its relevance is unclear to the reader. | significant inaccuracies in the application of theories to demonstrate subject knowledge. Reflection is irrelevant to the task and problem sheet. Learning outcome not achieved. |
| Analysis | Exceptional Analyses of graphs, charts, equations, examples, or case studies to explain the problem and discusses the wider implications. Ability to synthesis research across a range of sources. Ability to question their own pre-conceptions, make connections between old and new knowledge drawing from experience and material from other modules and personal experience | Analyses of graphs, charts, equations, examples, or case studies to explain the problem and discusses the wider implications. Ability to synthesis research across a range of sources. Ability to make connections between old and new knowledge drawing from experience and material from other modules, courses, personal experience or goals | Effective use of graphs, charts, equations, examples, or case studies to explain the problem Ability to evaluate research as part of explanation of the problem Ability to make connections between old and new knowledge drawing from experience and material from other modules or courses. | Demonstrate use of graphs, charts, equations, examples, or case studies to explain the problem. Undertakes own research in addition to sources provided within the module Makes an attempt to connect old and new knowledge based on personal experience or goals. | Weaknesses in the explanation of the problem using graphs, charts, equations, examples, or case studies. Undertakes additional research from sources provided within the module. Makes an attempt to demonstrate connections between old and new knowledge. | Inaccurate explanation of the problem using of graphs, charts, equations, examples or case studies. No evidence of research. No attempt to make links between old and new information. |
[1] https://www.ons.gov.uk/economy/inflationandpriceindices/bulletins/housepriceindex/march2021
