BUS610 Seminar in Corporate Finance
BUS610 Seminar in Corporate Finance
Syllabus | International University of Sarajevo - Last Update on Mar 03, 2026
Faculty of Business and Administration
Course Objectives
The objective of this course is to provide insight into key theoretical and empirical research in corporate finance. The course covers foundational theories and recent advancements in corporate financial decision-making, focusing on capital structure, corporate governance, agency theory, financial constraints, mergers and acquisitions, and payout policies. Emphasis is placed on critically analyzing academic research, developing research ideas, and understanding empirical methodologies used in corporate finance research.
Learning Outcomes
After successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:
Course Materials
Required Textbook
No specific textbook / The list of required readings will be delivered separately.
Additional Literature
Teaching Methods
The methods include lectures
Student presentations
Projects
Research papers
And class discussions.
Weekly Topics
| Week | Topic | Readings / References |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Introduction to Corporate Finance Research | |
| 2 | Capital Structure and Financing Decisions | |
| 3 | Corporate Governance and Agency Theory | |
| 4 | Mergers, Acquisitions, and Restructuring | |
| 5 | Mergers, Acquisitions, and Restructuring | |
| 6 | Payout Policy: Dividends and Share Repurchases | |
| 7 | Corporate Risk Management and Hedging Strategies | |
| 8 | Midterm Component | |
| 9 | Empirical Methodologies in Corporate Finance | |
| 10 | Developing a Research Proposal in Corporate Finance | |
| 11 | Developing a Research Proposal in Corporate Finance | |
| 12 | Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and ESG Investing | |
| 13 | Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and ESG Investing | |
| 14 | Behavioral Corporate Finance | |
| 15 | Behavioral Corporate Finance |
Course Schedule (All Sections)
Office Hours & Room
Assessment Methods and Criteria
Assessment Components
Final Paper
AI: Not AllowedAlignment with Learning Outcomes :
Midterm component
AI: Not AllowedAlignment with Learning Outcomes :
Other components
AI: Not AllowedAlignment with Learning Outcomes :
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
15 hours ⏳ (15 week × 1 h)
Other components
20 hours ⏳ (2 week × 10 h)
Midterm component
20 hours ⏳ (1 week × 20 h)
Final paper
50 hours ⏳ (5 week × 10 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 [BUS610] 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 Mar 03, 2026 | International University of Sarajevo
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Referencing Curricula Print this page
| Assessment Methods and Criteria | Evaluation Tool | Quantity | Weight | Alignment with LOs | AI Usage |
| Final Paper | 1 | 40 | Not Allowed | ||
| Semester Evaluation Components | |||||
| Midterm component | 30 | Not Allowed | |||
| Other components | 30 | Not Allowed | |||
| *** ECTS Credit Calculation *** | |||||
| Activity | Hours | Weeks | Student Workload Hours | Activity | Hours | Weeks | Student Workload Hours | |||
| Lecture hours | 3 | 15 | 45 | Home study | 1 | 15 | 15 | |||
| Other components | 10 | 2 | 20 | Midterm component | 20 | 1 | 20 | |||
| Final paper | 10 | 5 | 50 | |||||||
| Total Workload Hours = | 150 | |||||||||
| *T= Teaching, P= Practice | ECTS Credit = | 6 | ||||||||
| Course Academic Quality Assurance: Semester Student Survey | Last Update Date: 27/03/2026 | |||||||||
