Module and Programme Catalogue

Search site

Find information on

2023/24 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

LAW5568M International Corporate Governance

15 creditsClass Size: 128

Module manager: Dr Clare Patton
Email: C.Patton@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2023/24

Pre-requisite qualifications

Either Company Law at undergraduate level in a common law jurisdiction or LAW5550M Corporate Law as a pre-requisite.

Pre-requisites

LAW5550MCorporate Law

This module is not approved as an Elective

Module summary

Public companies play a critical role in the world's economy. The aim of the module is to provide a comprehensive study of the role of corporate governance (essentially how companies are governed) in the world economy. It will consider the various systems of corporate governance that operate around the world with a focus on the Anglo-American system (outsider system), the systems applying in Germany and Japan (insider systems), and that which has developed in China, with some comparison between these systems and consideration of the advantages and disadvantage of the respective systems. The module will examine the primary theories that are applied to corporate governance and it will investigate the main participants in governance, namely directors, shareholders (including, most importantly, institutional shareholders), employees and creditors and their roles and positions, and what protections they have. Some consideration is given to regulation and whether hard or soft law is appropriate as we as shareholder activism and executive remuneration.

Objectives

Learning outcomes
On completion of this module, students should be able to:
- explain what corporate governance means, what are the primary corporate governance issues that exist, and what are the main corporate governance systems in the world;
- understand the primary theories of corporate governance, and to be able to articulate the shareholder primacy and stakeholder theories of corporate governance and to identify their respective strengths and weaknesses;
- understand the importance, and role, of corporate governance in the companies of today;
- be able to explain the arguments for and against regulation in corporate governance and what forms regulation can take;
- distinguish between outsider and insider systems of corporate governance;
- be able to explain the problems caused by the separation of management and control in public companies;
- identify those who have a stake in companies and what protections they have available to them;
- be able to explain the rights and remedies available to shareholders.


Syllabus

Public companies play a critical role in the world's economy. The aim of the module is to provide a comprehensive study of the role of corporate governance (essentially how companies are governed) in the world economy. It will consider the various systems of corporate governance that operate around the world with a focus on the Anglo-American system (outsider system), the systems applying in Germany and Japan (insider systems), and that which has developed in China, with some comparison between these systems and consideration of the advantages and disadvantage of the respective systems. The module will examine the primary theories that are applied to corporate governance and it will investigate the main participants in governance, namely directors, shareholders (including, most importantly, institutional shareholders), employees and creditors and their roles and positions, and what protections they have. Some consideration is given to regulation and whether hard or soft law is appropriate as we as shareholder activism and executive remuneration.

Teaching methods

Delivery typeNumberLength hoursStudent hours
Lecture81.008.00
Seminar51.507.50
Private study hours134.50
Total Contact hours15.50
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)150.00

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

A formative assessment opportunity will be provided.

Methods of assessment


Coursework
Assessment typeNotes% of formal assessment
Essay1 x 4,000 words100.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)100.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 12/12/2023

Disclaimer

Browse Other Catalogues

Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team.PROD

© Copyright Leeds 2019