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Financial Markets

An overview of the ideas, methods, and institutions that permit human society to manage risks and foster enterprise. Emphasis on financially-savvy leadership skills. Description of practices today and analysis of prospects for the future. Introduction to risk management and behavioral finance principles to understand the real-world functioning of securities, insurance, and banking industries. The ultimate goal of this course is using such industries effectively and towards a better society.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Module 1

Welcome to the course! In this opening module, you will learn the basics of financial markets, insurance, and CAPM (Capital Asset Pricing Model). This module serves as the foundation of this course.

Module 2

In this next module, dive into some details of behavioral finance, forecasting, pricing, debt, and inflation.

Module 3

Stocks, bonds, dividends, shares, market caps; what are these? Who needs them? Why? Module 3 explores these concepts, along with corporation basics and some basic financial markets history.

Module 4

Take a look into the recent past, exploring recessions, bubbles, the mortgage crisis, and regulation.

Module 5

Options and bond markets are explored in module 5, important components of financial markets.

Module 6

In module 6, Professor Shiller introduces investment banking, underwriting processes, brokers, dealers, exchanges, and new innovations in financial markets.

MODULE 7

Professor Shiller's final module includes lectures about nonprofits and corporations, and your career in finance.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Provides an overview of financial risk analysis and risk assessment, which are crucial skills for professionals in the financial industry

Covers key concepts and theories in insurance finance, which are essential for understanding how insurance companies operate and mitigate risks

Introduces students to fundamental risk management principles and practices for different financial instruments and institutions

Designed for students with a basic background in finance, providing a solid foundation for further studies or a career in the finance industry

Offers practical insights and real-world case studies to enhance students' understanding of the interconnectedness of financial markets

Led by Robert Shiller, a renowned Nobel laureate known for his groundbreaking work in behavioral finance

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Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Financial Markets with these activities:

Read 'The Intelligent Investor' by Benjamin Graham

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Enhance your understanding of investment strategies by studying a classic work in the field.

View The Intelligent Investor Third Edition,... on Amazon

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Purchase or borrow a copy of 'The Intelligent Investor'.
Read the book thoroughly.
Take notes and highlight important passages.

Practice CAPM

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Review the basics of CAPM to strengthen your foundation in financial markets.

Browse courses on CAPM

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Review the formula for CAPM.
Calculate CAPM for a given stock.
Interpret the results of CAPM.

Compile a list of financial resources

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Organize and expand your financial knowledge by compiling a collection of valuable resources.

Browse courses on Finance

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Identify and gather relevant financial resources.
Categorize and organize the resources.
Create a digital or physical compilation.

Five other activities

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Learn about different types of stocks

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Expand your knowledge of stocks by exploring the various types available in the market.

Browse courses on Stocks

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Follow a tutorial on the different types of stocks.
Research specific stocks that interest you.

Solve behavioral finance problems

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Enhance your understanding of behavioral finance concepts by solving practice problems.

Browse courses on Behavioral Finance

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Identify the behavioral biases at play in a given scenario.
Predict how these biases might affect investment decisions.

Discuss recent trends in financial markets

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Enhance your understanding of current financial trends by engaging in discussions with peers.

Browse courses on Financial Markets

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Join a study group or online forum.
Participate in discussions about recent financial events.
Share your insights and learn from others.

Attend a workshop on risk management

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Gain practical knowledge of risk management strategies by attending a dedicated workshop.

Browse courses on Risk Management

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Identify a relevant risk management workshop.
Register and attend the workshop.
Actively participate in the workshop activities.

Develop a financial plan for a non-profit organization

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Apply your knowledge of financial management to a real-world scenario by creating a financial plan for a non-profit organization.

Browse courses on Financial Planning

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Research the non-profit organization.
Identify the organization's financial needs.
Develop a financial plan that meets the organization's needs.
Present your financial plan to the non-profit organization.

Career center

Learners who complete Financial Markets will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Financial Analyst

A Financial Analyst will analyze financial data, providing insights and recommendations to clients. This course is an ideal resource for this career field because it provides a solid framework for understanding the fundamentals of financial markets. This includes methods for assessing risk, forecasting trends, and making strategic investments. This course is especially relevant to the career field because it focuses on the functioning of securities, insurance, and banking industries. Completing it can help build the skills needed to make effective financial decisions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Financial Analyst

Investment Banker

Investment Bankers assist companies in raising capital and help guide them through mergers and acquisitions. This course provides a foundational knowledge that can help aspiring Investment Bankers succeed in this demanding field. The course covers important financial market concepts, such as underwriting processes, brokers, and dealers. The understanding of these concepts gained from this course can be a valuable asset, particularly in leading roles in the field.

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Portfolio Manager

Portfolio Managers oversee investments for individuals and organizations, making decisions that impact the financial well-being of their clients. This course is highly relevant to the role as it provides a solid understanding of financial markets and the factors that influence investment decisions. The course also covers the basics of risk management, which is crucial for Portfolio Managers who must navigate market volatility and protect their clients' assets.

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Risk Manager

Risk Managers identify, assess, and mitigate financial risks for organizations. This course can help aspiring Risk Managers develop a strong foundation in the principles and practices of risk management. The course covers topics such as risk assessment, forecasting, and insurance, which are all essential for success in this field. By taking this course, individuals can gain the knowledge and skills needed to proactively manage risks and protect their organizations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Risk Manager

Financial Advisor

Financial Advisors provide financial guidance and advice to individuals and families. This course is beneficial to aspiring Financial Advisors because it provides a broad overview of financial markets, investment strategies, and risk management. It also emphasizes the development of financially-savvy leadership skills essential for success in the field.

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Actuary

Actuaries use mathematical and statistical techniques to assess risk and uncertainty. This course may be useful for aspiring Actuaries as it provides a solid foundation in financial markets and risk management principles. The course covers topics such as insurance, forecasting, and pricing, which are all relevant to the actuarial field.

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Insurance Agent

Insurance Agents sell insurance policies to individuals and businesses. This course may be useful for aspiring Insurance Agents as it provides an overview of the insurance industry and the different types of insurance products available. It also covers the basics of risk management and financial planning, which are both important for success in this field.

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Loan Officer

Loan Officers assist individuals and businesses in obtaining loans. This course may be helpful for aspiring Loan Officers as it provides a foundation in financial markets and lending practices. The course covers topics such as credit analysis, loan structuring, and risk management, all of which are relevant to this role.

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Financial Planner

Financial Planners help individuals and families manage their finances and plan for the future. This course may be useful for aspiring Financial Planners as it provides an overview of financial markets, investment strategies, and retirement planning. It also emphasizes the development of financially-savvy leadership skills, which are important for success in this field.

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Stockbroker

Stockbrokers buy and sell stocks and other securities for clients. This course may be useful for aspiring Stockbrokers as it provides a foundation in financial markets and investment strategies. The course covers topics such as portfolio management, risk assessment, and financial analysis, all of which are relevant to this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Stockbroker

Auditor

Auditors examine and verify financial records to ensure accuracy and compliance. This course may be useful for aspiring Auditors as it provides a foundation in accounting principles and financial reporting. The course covers topics such as financial statement analysis, internal controls, and auditing procedures, all of which are relevant to this role.

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Compliance Officer

Compliance Officers ensure that organizations comply with applicable laws and regulations. This course may be useful for aspiring Compliance Officers as it provides an overview of financial markets, regulatory frameworks, and compliance best practices. The course covers topics such as risk management, ethics, and corporate governance, all of which are relevant to this role.

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Market Research Analyst

Market Research Analysts conduct research to gather information about markets, customers, and competitors. This course may be useful for aspiring Market Research Analysts as it provides a foundation in market research techniques and data analysis. The course covers topics such as survey design, data collection, and market segmentation, all of which are relevant to this role.

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Economist

Economists study the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. This course may be helpful for aspiring Economists as it provides an overview of financial markets, economic principles, and econometric methods. The course covers topics such as macroeconomic analysis, monetary policy, and international trade, all of which are relevant to this role.

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Quantitative Analyst

Quantitative Analysts use mathematical and statistical models to analyze financial data and make investment decisions. This course may be useful for aspiring Quantitative Analysts as it provides a foundation in financial markets, econometrics, and data analysis. The course covers topics such as portfolio optimization, risk management, and algorithmic trading, all of which are relevant to this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Quantitative Analyst

Featured in The Course Notes

This course is mentioned in our blog, The Course Notes. Read one article that features Financial Markets:

50 Online Courses for the New Year: What Will You Learn in 2019?

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Reading list

We've selected 13 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Financial Markets.

When Housing Markets Meet Shadow Banking: Bubbles,...

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Must-read for anyone who wants to understand the psychology of financial markets. Shiller argues that financial markets are often driven by irrational exuberance and that this can lead to bubbles and crashes.

When Housing Markets Meet Shadow Banking: Bubbles,...

Kindle Edition

Millionaire in 365 Days

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Classic in the field of investing and provides a comprehensive overview of the principles of value investing. It is particularly useful for those who are new to investing or who want to learn more about the fundamentals of the stock market.

Millionaire in 365 Days: Achieving Financial...

Kindle Edition

The Black Swan: Second Edition

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Explores the role of uncertainty in financial markets. Taleb argues that we are often too quick to dismiss the possibility of rare events and that this can lead to disastrous consequences.

Financial Markets

What's inside

Syllabus

Good to know

Save this course

Activities

Career center

Featured in The Course Notes

Reading list

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