Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Demonstrate a solid understanding of the purpose and nature of corporations.
2. Evaluate different stakeholders’ roles and significance in relation to corporate governance.
3. Explain the importance of regulation, markets and information in corporate governance.
4. Evaluate international differences and similarities in relevant institutions and developments.
5. Critically assess governance concerns for individual corporations and their stakeholders.
6. Demonstrate a critical understanding of corporate governance research.

Research-Led Teaching

The content of this course is informed by research that examines the nature of corporations and their environments, and the concepts, principles and practices of corporate governance. Students are also required to directly engage with published research and complete a research project.

Examination Material or equipment

See the course page on Wattle.

Details regarding materials and equipment that is permitted in an examination room can be found on the ANU website:

http://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/assessments-exams/examination-conduct

Information regarding permitted examination materials for the course will be available on the examination timetable website when the examination timetable is released:

https://exams.anu.edu.au/timetable/

Required Resources

Textbook: du Plessis, Hargovan, Bagaric & Harris Principles of Contemporary Corporate Governance Fourth Edition 2018. Cambridge University Press.

Available in hardcopy or as an eBook.

You are expected to have access to a copy of the prescribed book for the duration of the semester. A small number of copies may be available for short term from the Library. An ebook version of the text is also available from the ANU Library.

Other readings: Supplementary notes and further readings will be provided on Wattle.

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• written comments
• verbal comments
• feedback to whole class, groups and individuals.

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.

Other Information

ASSESSMENT REQUIREMENTS

Any student identified, either during the current semester or in retrospect, as having used ghost writing services will be investigated under the University’s Academic Integrity Rule.

COMMUNICATION

Email and the Wattle Course Website

Email and the Wattle course website are the preferred ways of communication.

If necessary, the lecturer and tutors for this course will contact students on their official ANU student email address. Students should use this email address when contacting staff as spam filters used by ANU may not allow other email addresses to be received. Information about your enrolment and fees from the Registrar and Student Services' office will also be sent to this email address.

 

Announcements

Students are expected to check the Wattle site for announcements about this course, e.g. changes to timetables or notifications of cancellations.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	The nature of corporations
2	Internal governance mechanisms
3	External governance mechanisms
4	Share ownership and Shareholders
5	Regulation of corporations	On-line quizCase Analysis 1
6	Contemporary Issues	Research Project Interim Report
7	Corporate citizenship and social responsibility
8	Executive remuneration
9	Accountability and monitoring: Accounting and auditing
10	Accountability and monitoring: Non-financial	Case Analysis 2
11	International governance issues
12	Governance issues in different countries.	Research Project Final Report

Tutorial Registration

No tutorials in this course. ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
On-line quiz	0 %	21/08/2023	31/08/2023	1,2,3,4,5
Case Analysis 1 [15%]	15 %	25/08/2023	22/09/2023	2,3,4,5
Case Analysis 2 [15%]	15 %	12/10/2023	01/11/2023	2,3,4,5
Written examination [40%]	40 %	02/11/2023	30/11/2023	1,2,3,4,5
Research Project [30%]	30 %	01/09/2023	01/11/2023	1,2,3,4,5,6

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines , which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Guideline and General Information 
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
• Code of practice for teaching and learning

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Skills website. In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Participation

Course delivery: on campus lecture (recording on Echo360), weekly on-campus workshop(s).

Attendance at all teaching events, while not compulsory, is expected in line with Code of Practice for Teaching and Learning, clause 2 paragraph (h).

Examination(s)

This course includes a formal examination that will be centrally administered through Examinations, Graduations & Prizes. It will be timetabled prior to the examination period. The due date listed in the assessment summary is the earliest possible date. Please check ANU Timetabling for further information.

Assessment Task 1

On-line quiz

The quiz will be available on the Wattle site. Further details will be provided on Wattle.

This task is self-assessed. Student are encouraged to complete the quiz by the due date to receive timely feedback (by Thursday Week 6) on their progress.

Feedback: Feedback is provided post the closing of the quiz on the due date.

Assessment Task 2

Case Analysis 1 [15%]

An assigned case analysis must be submitted as specified in the class schedule and described on Wattle. The case is concerned with important current practical issues in corporate governance and is designed to improve your independent research and analytical skills. Each case will focus on a particular topic. Details will be provided on Wattle at least two weeks before each due date. Any word or page limit and associated penalties will be specified in the actual assessment task requirements.

It is important that you take account of the due date when planning and managing your study and other commitments (including employment) for the semester.

Any word or page limit and associated penalties will be specified in the actual assessment task requirements.

For referencing in all submitted work, please use the The Chicago Manual of Style author-date system (http://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/tools_citationguide.html) or similar.

Assessment Task 3

Case Analysis 2 [15%]

An assigned case analysis must be submitted as specified in the class schedule and described on Wattle. The case is concerned with important current practical issues in corporate governance and is designed to improve your independent research and analytical skills. Each case will focus on a particular topic. Details will be provided on Wattle at least two weeks before each due date. Any word or page limit and associated penalties will be specified in the actual assessment task requirements.

It is important that you take account of the due date when planning and managing your study and other commitments (including employment) for the semester.

Any word or page limit and associated penalties will be specified in the actual assessment task requirements.

For referencing in all submitted work, please use the The Chicago Manual of Style author-date system (http://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/tools_citationguide.html) or similar.

Assessment Task 4

Written examination [40%]

In-person exam with a duration of either 2 or 3 hours writing time plus 15 or 30 minutes reading time. Details will be provided no later than Week 10.

Centrally administered examinations through Examinations, Graduations & Prizes will be timetabled prior to the examination period. The due date listed in the assessment summary is the earliest possible date. Please check ANU Timetabling for further information.

Assessment Task 5

Research Project [30%]

Instructions for the Research Project will be provided on Wattle in Week 2.

Students will submit two reports based on the assigned project - an interim report and a final report.

Any word or page limit and associated penalties will be specified in the actual assessment task requirements.

Due date: The due date listed in the assessment summary is for the interim report (Week 6). The final report is due Wednesday Week 12.

Return date: The date for return of assessment is for the final report.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.

The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.

The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.

 

The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Late submission is not permitted.

Referencing Requirements

The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material.

Returning Assignments

Student work is submitted, held and graded electronically. Copies are not returned. Individual feedback will be provided as comments on Wattle.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Resubmission of Assignments

Assignments cannot be resubmitted.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Access and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students