Course Detail (Course Description By Faculty)

The course will introduce students to the functions and duties of directors and boards, and to the topics boards in the United States most commonly face.

The content will be applicable to both public and private corporations and not for profit organizations. The differences in corporate governance in other countries, as well as current trends in corporate governance, will be discussed.

The topics covered include the role of Directors and the Board in:

 

• Board Development


• Board Member Selection & Evaluation


• Board Responsibilities & Legal and Compliance Duties


• Sarbanes Oxley


• Fiduciary Integrity


• CEO Selection, Evaluation, and Succession Planning


• Compensation Practices


• Corporate Strategy


• Shareholder Communications


• Crisis, Bankruptcy, and Dissidents


• Private Firms and Not For Profit Organizations


• International Governance


• Global Trends

Format
The course utilizes the case method and practical examples of real situations are discussed each week. For students to benefit from the course, they must prepare thoroughly for, and actively participate in each class. Students will be part of a 5 person group in the course. Each group will prepare a 2 page weekly paper on the case being discussed starting in week 2. Each group will also research and prepare one paper and a presentation on international governance in a specific country. Each group will present their presentation to the class. There will be no exams.

A selection of readings and cases which will be posted in Canvas.

Class participation and contribution will be an important part of the grade and each student has the responsibility of making a contribution in each class. Students will be asked to respond to governance related questions orally and via email with their opinion on the appropriate solution to issues. Students will organize study groups of five and their grade will be a group grade for the weekly papers and the international project. The group grades will be adjusted to reflect individual contribution of the team members at the end of the course.

The weighting of the three factors is as follows.

 

• Individual Class Participation - 25%


• Group Weekly Papers - 50%


• Group International Project - 25%

The course cannot be taken pass/fail.

Auditors will not be admitted to class.

Grades

Restrictions