Unit Outline
BEA708
Behavioural Finance
Semester 1, 2024
Richard Mawulawoe Ahadzie
Tasmanian School of Business & Economics (TSBE)
College of Business and Economics
CRICOS Provider Code: 00586B
Unit Coordinator
Richard Mawulawoe Ahadzie
Email: RichardMawulawoe.Ahadzie@utas.edu.au
What is the Unit About?
Unit Description
 
The purpose of the unit is to build an applied understanding of the psychological biases which influence financial decision-making. The behavioural finance perspective of decision-making is contrast with more traditional finance perspectives. This enables a unique interpretation of market anomalies and asset pricing bubbles. The applications of the unit are across corporate finance and investment management.
Intended Learning Outcomes
As per the Assessment and Results Policy 1.3, your results will reflect your achievement against specified learning outcomes.
On completion of this unit, you will be able to:
1.
Assess the differences between a behavioural finance perspective and a traditional finance perspective
2.
Critique how behavioural biases can affect the decisions of investors and finance practitioners
3.
Propose practical financial decision-making improvements using behavioural finance theories and conceptions
4.
Communicate financial advice based on behavioural finance to different finance stakeholder groups
Alterations as a result of student feedback
To Be Determined
 
 
Teaching arrangements
ATTENDANCE MODE
TEACHING TYPE
LEARNING ACTIVITY
CONTACT HOURS
FREQUENCY
On Campus
Workshop
Introductory 1-hr workshop, Week 1
1
Once only
Lecture (On Campus)
Pre-recorded 1-hr lecture, once a week
1
Weekly
Workshop
2-hr workshop, fortnightly, commencing in Week 2
2
1 time per fortnight
Other
5-hrs independent learning
5
Weekly
Online
Online Class
Introductory 1-hr workshop, Week 1
1
Once only
Independent Learning
Pre-recorded 1-hr lecture, once a week
1
Weekly
Online Class
1-hr workshop, weekly, commencing in Week 2
1
Weekly
Independent Learning
5-hrs independent learning
5
Weekly
Attendance / engagement expectations
If your unit is offered On campus, it is expected that you will attend all on-campus and onsite learning activities. This is to support your own learning and the development of a learning community within the unit. If you are unable to attend regularly, please discuss the situation with your course coordinator and/or our UConnect support team.

If your unit is offered Online, it is expected you will engage in all those activities as indicated in the Unit Outline, including any self-directed learning.

If you miss a learning activity for a legitimate reason (e.g., illness, carer responsibilities) teaching staff will attempt to provide alternative activities (e.g., make up readings) where it is possible.
 
The Tasmanian School of Business and Economics regularly hosts Masterclasses and Industry Engagement and Employability Events, which students are encouraged to attend. Registration and details will be available via the College of Business and Economics channel on the Uni App and/or via your Unit Coordinator.  
 
 
How will I be Assessed?
 
For more detailed assessment information please see MyLO.
Assessment schedule
ASSESSMENT TASK #
ASSESSMENT TASK NAME
DATE DUE
WEIGHT
LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Assessment Task 1:
Assignment
Week 10
40 %
LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 2:
Group Assignment
Week 13
40 %
LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 3:
Quiz
Refer to Assessment Description
20 %
LO1, LO2
 
Assessment details
    
Assessment Task 1: Assignment
Task Description:
This assignment will be a report which covers the topics from week 1 to 8.
You will explain the influence of behavioural biases on decision-making, communicate financial advice and apply concepts and theories to propose action.

The details of the assignments will be posted on the MyLO website.

Task Length:
Task length: 1500 words + figures and tables
Due Date:
Week 10
Weight:
40 %
 
CRITERION #
CRITERION
MEASURES INTENDED
LEARNING OUTCOME(S)
1
Assess behavioural finance in comparison to traditional finance
LO1
2
Explain the psychology of markets
LO1
3
Discuss the behavioural biases of investors and financial advisors
LO2
4
Critique the implications for financial market efficiency
LO2
5
Justify and apply behavioural finance knowledge and technique to improve decision-making
LO3
6
Communicate financial advice based on behavioural finance to different financial stakeholder groups
LO4
7
Justify and apply behavioural finance theories to support financial inclusion and promote economic development
LO3
 
Assessment Task 2: Group Assignment
Task Description:
Students are required to form a group consisting of up to three students to complete the research report on a topic covered in this unit.
You will submit the summary of individual contributions (in percentage) towards the research report. Only one submission per group is required.
Each group must meet and assign specific task to every group member and provide a detailed report. The contribution report will be used allocate marks to individual contribution to the group assignment. Additionally, each group must submit a cover sheet with every group member’s contribution (as a percentage) on it.
You will explain the influence of behavioural biases on decision-making, communicate financial advice and apply concepts and theories to propose action.

The details of the assignments will be posted on the MyLO website.

Task Length:
2000 words + figures and tables
 
Due Date:
Week 13
Weight:
40 %
 
CRITERION #
CRITERION
MEASURES INTENDED
LEARNING OUTCOME(S)
1
Assess behavioural finance concepts and theories to improve financial decision making
LO3
2
Communicate financial advice based on behavioural finance
LO4
3
Collaborate within the group to develop ideas and actions
LO4
4
Critically analyse behavioural finance in comparison to traditional finance
LO1
5
Communicate financial advice based on behavioural finance to different financial stakeholder groups
LO4
6
Explain the behavioural biases of investors and financial advisors
LO2
7
Explain the role of behavioural biases in contributing to gender and racial inequalities in the field of finance
LO2
 
Assessment Task 3: Quiz
Task Description:
You are required to complete two online quizzes during the semester. The first quiz is due in week 4, and the second one is due in week 10. The quizzes comprise both theory questions and analytical problems.

Quiz 1 is worth 10% and will be based on content from weeks 1 to 3.

Quiz 2 is worth 10% and will be based on content from weeks 4 to 8.
The details of the quizzes will be posted on the MyLO website.

Task Length:
Assessment task length 30 multiple choice questions in 60 minutes
Due Date:
Refer to Assessment Description
Weight:
20 %
 
CRITERION #
CRITERION
MEASURES INTENDED
LEARNING OUTCOME(S)
1
Recognise behavioural finance in comparison to traditional finance
LO1
2
Assess the main principles of psychology in finance
LO1
3
Recognise the behavioural issues in retirement savings
LO2
 
 
 
How your final result is determined
To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes, achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater, and pass any hurdle tasks.
 
Submission of assignments
Where practicable, assignments should be submitted to an assignment submission folder in MYLO. You must submit assignments by the due date or receive a penalty (unless an extension of time has been approved by the Unit Coordinator). Students submitting any assignment in hard copy, or because of a practicum finalisation, must attach a student cover sheet and signed declaration for the submission to be accepted for marking.
 
Requests for extensions
If you are unable to submit an assessment task by the due date, you should apply for an extension.
 
A request for an extension should first be discussed with your Unit Coordinator or teaching support team where possible. A request for an extension must be submitted by the assessment due date, except where you can provide evidence it was not possible to do so. Typically, an application for an extension will be supported by documentary evidence: however, where it is not possible for you to provide evidence please contact your Unit Coordinator.
 
The Unit Coordinator must notify you of the outcome of an extension request within 3 working days of receiving the request.
Late penalties
Assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a late penalty of 5% of the original available mark for each calendar day (or part day) that the assignment is late. Late submissions will not be accepted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, or after assignments have been returned to other students on a scheduled date, whichever occurs first. Further information on Late Penalties can be found on the Assessments and Results Procedure.
 
Review of results and appeals
You are entitled to ask for a review of the marking and grading of your assessment task if there is an irregularity in the marking standards or an error in the process for determining the outcome of an assessment. Details on how to request a review of a mark for an assignment are outlined in the Review and Appeal of Academic Decisions Procedure.