Revised 5/25

FIN 248 - International Finance (3 CR.)

Course Description

Exposes the student to the international financial environment. Focuses on the financial management of businesses operating in international markets. Includes topics such as importance of international finance, monetary systems, foreign exchange risk, and short-term and long-term financial market and how to manage political risk. Lecture 3 hours per week.

General Course Purpose

FIN 248 is designed as a one semester course in international finance. The purpose of the course is to familiarize the student with the challenges and problems associated with financing international transactions. FIN 248 is a required course for students in the international business specialization of the business management program and the career studies certificate in International Business. It may be chosen as an elective in other programs.

Course Prerequisites/Corequisites

Students should have an understanding of basic economics and financial management.

Course Objectives

Upon the successful completion of this course, the student should be able to:

• appreciate the importance of international finance
• understand the international monetary system
• know how to manage foreign exchange risk
• understand the short-term financial markets
• understand the long-term financial markets
• know how to manage political risk
• understand the financial management of ongoing international operations

Major Topics to Be Included

• The international financial environment
• History of the international monetary system
• Balances of payments
• The foreign exchange market
• The economics of SWAPS
• International banking
• Global equity markets
• International bond market
• Political risk management
• Import/export financing
• International working capital management 

Optional Topics

• Futures and options markets
• Direct foreign investments
• Tax factors in international finance