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LAW40670

Academic Year 2023/2024

Corporate Governance (LAW40670)

Subject:
Law
College:
Social Sciences & Law
School:
Law
Level:
4 (Masters)
Credits:
10
Module Coordinator:
Assoc Professor Joe McGrath
Trimester:
Autumn
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

The module will cover both the legal and regulatory environment and the informational and market infrastructures which apply in Ireland and the wider EU. The objective of this module is to develop an understanding of the development of corporate governance and its importance to companies and their stakeholders. It seeks to provide a framework for analysing how regulations impact on corporate decision-making, ethics and planning. The module will investigate the processes of supervision and control within companies and determine what the primary aims of those processes should be. It will examine the regulations and norms which seek to ensure that directors act in the interests of shareholders or wider stakeholder groups as appropriate. It will examine both the theory and the reality of shareholder democracy. Throughout the module, consideration will be given to the important question of determining the appropriate form of regulation to achieve the desired aims of corporate governance.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module students should: - be able to identify and discuss the main themes, perspectives and issues in the area of corporate governance - have developed their existing critical analytical skills and be able to apply them to topical corporate governance issues such as the recent banking crisis- be able to make informed recommendations for reform in the area of corporate governance- be able to demonstrate an awareness and appreciation of the multidisciplinary approach to corporate law scholarship- be able to present ideas orally and engage in discussion.

Indicative Module Content:

Introduction and Overview
The Public Enforcement of Corporate Obligations
Corporate Criminal Liability
Agency Costs and the Theory of the Firm
Institutional Investors
Gatekeepers
The Board of Directors
Shareholder Activism
Corporate Social Responsibility

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Specified Learning Activities

100

Autonomous Student Learning

101

Lectures

24

Total

225


Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Active/task-based learning; peer and group work; lectures; critical writing; reflective learning; enquiry & problem-based learning; debates; case-based learning; student presentations.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Recommendations:

Company Law


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Continuous Assessment: Written Paper (4,000 words) Week 8 n/a Graded No
80
No
Presentation: In-class presentation based on previously submitted 4,000 word research paper. Varies over the Trimester n/a Graded No
20
No

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Feedback delivered via virtual learning environment in line with law school policy.