IBF401 International Finance
IBF401 International Finance
Syllabus | International University of Sarajevo - Last Update on Feb 02, 2026
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International Business and Finance
Mehmed Ganić
Course Lecturer
Course Objectives
This course provides students with an opportunity to develop theoretical and analytical skills necessary to understand and evaluate key financial issues in the international financial markets by emphasizing the so called globalization of the world of finance, the growing institutionalization of financial markets, and their integration into one global financial market.
Learning Outcomes
After successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:
Course Materials
Required Textbook
Eun, C. S. and Resnick, B. G. (2014). International Financial Management. McGraw-Hill.
Additional Literature
Keith Pilbeam , International Finance 4th Edition, Red Globe Press.Teaching Methods
The methods include lectures (which may involve power point presentation
Video and audio aids)
Student presentations
Projects and class discussions.
Weekly Topics
| Week | Topic | Readings / References |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Introductory Lecture, Globalization and multinational firm | Chapter 1,2 |
|
Understand why it is important to study international finance and its link to global business Distinguish international finance from domestic finance.MNC and Globalization
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| 2 | Balance of payments | Chapter 3 |
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Identify and distinguish between current and capital accounts. Analyze the fundamental relationship between the current account and the capital account.Evaluate the policy implications of balance of payments disequilibria, distinguishing between temporary deficits and persistent imbalances
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| 3 | The market for foreign exchange (FOREX) | Chapter 5 |
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Explain its role as the global decentralized marketplace where currencies are traded,spot transactions (immediate exchange at current prices) and forward transactions (future exchange at predetermined rates),Calculate currency cross-rates and understand how exchange rates are quoted in direct, indirect, and American/Euro terms across different global markets.
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| 4 | Non-working day | |
| 5 | Quiz I, The Eurocurrency and Eurobond Markets | Chapter 6 |
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Quiz exam based on MSQ distinguishing them from domestic financial markets by their international character. Identify the key participants in Eurocurrency markets. Differentiate between Eurocurrency deposits (short-term interbank lending) and Eurobonds and options on foreign exchange.
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| 6 | Futures and Options on foreign exchange | Chapter 7 |
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Define foreign exchange futures and options contracts.Compare and contrast exchange-traded futures with over-the-counter options. Identify the major participants in currency derivatives markets
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| 7 | International banking and money market | 11 |
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Identify the various types of international banking organizations.
Describe the structure and operation of the international money market, explaining how cross-border operations, multiple currency exposures, and diverse regulatory environments create unique opportunities and challenges.
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| 8 | MIDTERM EXAM | 1,2,3,5, 6 , 7 |
| 9 | Non-Working day -International Labor Day | |
| 10 | International bond market & International equity markets, Case study | Chapter 12,13 |
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International bond market and distinguish between its two primary segments:Classify the major types of international bonds—straight fixed-rate bonds, floating-rate notes (FRNs), convertible bonds, and zero-coupon bonds.Compare and contrast the regulatory, tax, and disclosure requirements across major bond market categories
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| 11 | Interest Rate and Currency Swaps | Chapter 14 |
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Define interest rate swaps and currency swaps, distinguishing them from other derivative instruments,Explain the structure and mechanics of a plain vanilla interest rate swap, identifying the roles of the fixed-rate payer and floating-rate payerCalculate swap payments for both fixed and floating legs using appropriate notional principal amounts, day-count conventions, and reference rates (LIBOR, SOFR, EURIBOR
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| 12 | International portfolio investments | Chapter 15 |
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explaining the key differences in terms of control, investment horizon, liquidity, and investor objectives.Explain the theoretical foundations of international portfolio diversification, applying Modern Portfolio Theory Analyze the concept of correlation coefficients across major asset classes and international markets
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| 13 | Foreign Direct Investment and Cross-Border Acquisitions | Chapter 16 |
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Classify the major types of FDI—greenfield investments, cross-border mergers and acquisitions (M&A), horizontal FDI, vertical FDI, and conglomerate FDIExplain the theoretical foundations of FDI, including ownership advantage theory (Hymer), internalization theory Identify the stages of the cross-border acquisition process
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| 14 | Quiz II, Individual student presentations | |
| 15 | Summary and preparation for the Final Exam- review | |
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Individual student presentations and class discussion Summary and preparation for the Final Exam- review
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Course Schedule (All Sections)
| Section | Type | Day 1 | Venue 1 | Day 2 | Venue 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IBF401.1 | Course | Friday 09:00 - 11:50 | B F1.1 FBA Graduate Seminar Room | - | - |
Office Hours & Room
| Day | Time | Office | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | 12:00 - 15:00 | B F1.14 | |
| Tuesday | 13:00 - 15:00 | B F1.14 |
Assessment Methods and Criteria
Assessment Components
Final Exam
AI: Not AllowedAlignment with Learning Outcomes : 1 2 3 4 5
Mid-term exam
AI: Not AllowedAlignment with Learning Outcomes : 1 2 3
Presentations
AI: Not AllowedAlignment with Learning Outcomes : 3
Class Discussion
AI: Not AllowedAlignment with Learning Outcomes : 3
Quiz
AI: Not AllowedAlignment with Learning Outcomes : 1 5
IUS Grading System
| Grading Scale | IUS Grading System | IUS Coeff. | Letter (B&H) | Numerical (B&H) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 - 44 | F | 0 | F | 5 |
| 45 - 54 | E | 1 | ||
| 55 - 64 | C | 2 | E | 6 |
| 65 - 69 | C+ | 2.3 | D | 7 |
| 70 -74 | B- | 2.7 | ||
| 75 - 79 | B | 3 | C | 8 |
| 80 - 84 | B+ | 3.3 | ||
| 85 - 94 | A- | 3.7 | B | 9 |
| 95 - 100 | A | 4 | A | 10 |
Late Work Policy
Information about late submission policies will be shared during class and posted in this section. Please check back for official guidelines.
ECTS Credit Calculation
📚 Student Workload
This 6 ECTS credit course corresponds to 150 hours of total student workload, distributed as follows:
Lecture Hours
45 hours ⏳ (15 week × 3 h)
Home Study
30 hours ⏳ (15 week × 2 h)
Quiz
20 hours ⏳ (2 week × 10 h)
Project
10 hours ⏳ (2 week × 5 h)
Midterm Exam Study
20 hours ⏳ (1 week × 20 h)
Final Exam Study
25 hours ⏳ (1 week × 25 h)
150 Total Workload Hours
6 ECTS Credits
Course Policies
Academic Integrity
All work submitted must be your own. Plagiarism, cheating, or any form of academic dishonesty will result in disciplinary action according to university policies. When in doubt about citation practices, consult the instructor.
Attendance Policy
Students are expected to adhere to the attendance requirements as outlined in the International University of Sarajevo Study Rules and Regulations. Excessive absences, whether excused or unexcused, may impact academic performance and eligibility for assessment. Mandatory sessions (e.g., labs, workshops) require attendance unless formally exempted. For detailed policies on absences, documentation, and penalties, please refer to the official university regulations.
Technology & AI Policy
Laptops/tablets may be used for note-taking only during lectures. Phones should be silenced and put away during all class sessions. Audio/video recording requires prior permission from the instructor.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) Usage: The use of AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Copilot, Gemini) varies by assessment component. Please refer to the AI usage indicator next to each assessment item in the Assessment Methods and Criteria section above. Submitting AI-generated content as your own work, where AI is not explicitly allowed, constitutes an academic integrity violation.
Communication Policy
All course-related communication should occur through official university channels (institutional email or SIS). Emails should include [IBF401] in the subject line.
Academic Quality Assurance Policy
Course Academic Quality Assurance is achieved through Semester Student Survey. At the end of each academic year, the institution of higher education is obliged to evaluate work of the academic staff, or the success of realization of the curricula.
Learning Tips
Be prepared to contribute thoughtfully during class discussions, labs, or collaborative work. Active participation deepens understanding and encourages critical thinking.
Complete assigned readings or prep materials before class. Take notes, highlight key ideas, and jot down questions. Aim to grasp core concepts and their applications—not just facts.
Use course frameworks or methodologies to analyze problems, case studies, or projects. Begin early to allow time for reflection and refinement. Seek feedback to improve your work.
Don’t hesitate to reach out when something is unclear. Use office hours, discussion boards, or peer networks to clarify concepts and stay on track.
Syllabus Last Updated on Feb 02, 2026 | International University of Sarajevo
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Referencing Curricula Print this page
| Course Code | Course Title | Weekly Hours* | ECTS | Weekly Class Schedule | ||||||
| T | P | |||||||||
| IBF401 | International Finance | 3 | 0 | 6 | Friday 09:00- 11:50 | |||||
| Prerequisite | ECON202 | It is a prerequisite to | - | |||||||
| Lecturer | Mehmed Ganić | Office Hours / Room / Phone | Monday: 12:00-15:00 Tuesday: 13:00-15:00 |
|||||||
| mganic@ius.edu.ba | ||||||||||
| Assistant | N/A | Assistant E-mail | ||||||||
| Course Objectives | This course provides students with an opportunity to develop theoretical and analytical skills necessary to understand and evaluate key financial issues in the international financial markets by emphasizing the so called globalization of the world of finance, the growing institutionalization of financial markets, and their integration into one global financial market. |
|||||||||
| Textbook | Eun, C. S. and Resnick, B. G. (2014). International Financial Management. McGraw-Hill. | |||||||||
| Additional Literature |
|
|||||||||
| Learning Outcomes | After successful completion of the course, the student will be able to: | |||||||||
|
||||||||||
| Teaching Methods | The methods include lectures (which may involve power point presentation, video and audio aids), student presentations, projects and class discussions. | |||||||||
| Teaching Method Delivery | Face-to-face | Teaching Method Delivery Notes | ||||||||
| WEEK | TOPIC | REFERENCE | ||||||||
| Week 1 | Introductory Lecture, Globalization and multinational firm | Chapter 1,2 | ||||||||
| Week 2 | Balance of payments | Chapter 3 | ||||||||
| Week 3 | The market for foreign exchange (FOREX) | Chapter 5 | ||||||||
| Week 4 | Non-working day | |||||||||
| Week 5 | Quiz I, The Eurocurrency and Eurobond Markets | Chapter 6 | ||||||||
| Week 6 | Futures and Options on foreign exchange | Chapter 7 | ||||||||
| Week 7 | International banking and money market | 11 | ||||||||
| Week 8 | MIDTERM EXAM | 1,2,3,5, 6 , 7 | ||||||||
| Week 9 | Non-Working day -International Labor Day | |||||||||
| Week 10 | International bond market & International equity markets, Case study | Chapter 12,13 | ||||||||
| Week 11 | Interest Rate and Currency Swaps | Chapter 14 | ||||||||
| Week 12 | International portfolio investments | Chapter 15 | ||||||||
| Week 13 | Foreign Direct Investment and Cross-Border Acquisitions | Chapter 16 | ||||||||
| Week 14 | Quiz II, Individual student presentations | |||||||||
| Week 15 | Summary and preparation for the Final Exam- review | |||||||||
| Assessment Methods and Criteria | Evaluation Tool | Quantity | Weight | Alignment with LOs | AI Usage |
| Final Exam | 1 | 40 | 1,2,3, 4,5 | Not Allowed | |
| Semester Evaluation Components | |||||
| Mid-term exam | 1 | 25 | 1,2,3 | Not Allowed | |
| Presentations | 1 | 10 | 3 | Not Allowed | |
| Class Discussion | 1 | 5 | 3 | Not Allowed | |
| Quiz | 2 | 20 | 1,5 | Not Allowed | |
| *** ECTS Credit Calculation *** | |||||
| Activity | Hours | Weeks | Student Workload Hours | Activity | Hours | Weeks | Student Workload Hours | |||
| Lecture Hours | 3 | 15 | 45 | Home Study | 2 | 15 | 30 | |||
| Quiz | 10 | 2 | 20 | Project | 5 | 2 | 10 | |||
| Midterm Exam Study | 20 | 1 | 20 | Final Exam Study | 25 | 1 | 25 | |||
| Total Workload Hours = | 150 | |||||||||
| *T= Teaching, P= Practice | ECTS Credit = | 6 | ||||||||
| Course Academic Quality Assurance: Semester Student Survey | Last Update Date: 19/02/2026 | |||||||||