English   Danish

2020/2021  KAN-CPHIV2013U  Social Studies of Finance: From Financialization to Algorithmic Trading

English Title
Social Studies of Finance: From Financialization to Algorithmic Trading

Course information

Language English
Course ECTS 7.5 ECTS
Type Elective
Level Full Degree Master
Duration One Quarter
Start time of the course Second Quarter
Timetable Course schedule will be posted at calendar.cbs.dk
Max. participants 60
Study board
Study Board for BSc/MSc in Business Administration and Philosophy, MSc
Course coordinator
  • Christian Borch - Department of Management, Politics and Philosophy (MPP)
Main academic disciplines
  • Philosophy and ethics
  • Finance
  • Sociology
Teaching methods
  • Blended learning
Last updated on 30-06-2020

Relevant links

Learning objectives
To achieve the grade 12, students should meet the following learning objectives with no or only minor mistakes or errors:
  • Demonstrate a thorough and critical understanding of the course literature.
  • Demonstrate an excellent ability to use the course literature and discussions to analyze problems with relation to the social aspects of financial markets and financial institutions.
  • Demonstrate an excellent ability to communicate and discuss his or her findings and understanding of the subject and the course readings.
Examination
Social Studies of Finance: From Financialization to Algorithmic Trading:
Exam ECTS 7,5
Examination form Home assignment - written product
Individual or group exam Individual exam
Size of written product Max. 10 pages
Assignment type Essay
Duration 72 hours to prepare
Grading scale 7-point grading scale
Examiner(s) One internal examiner
Exam period Winter
Make-up exam/re-exam
Same examination form as the ordinary exam
Course content, structure and pedagogical approach

"Social Studies of Finance: From Financialization to Algorithmic Trading" provides students with a solid understanding of present-day financial markets. Drawing on sociological studies of trading firms and exchanges (and the ways in which they operate and are organized) as well as investigations into the broader effects of finance on society, the course offers a broad discussion of the social aspects of finance. This includes insights into financialization, i.e. the ways in which finance has become increasingly important to society and affects fields not hitherto connected to financial markets (such as the everyday life of ordinary citizens). Particular attention is paid in the course to new developments towards algorithmic trading, including so-called high-frequency trading, i.e. the use of fully automated, high-speed trading algorithms which have come to replaced human traders. The course presents state-of-the-art sociological analyses of the rise, dynamics, and consequences of algorithmic trading. Through the discussion of algorithmic trading, the course covers the main components of the ecology of present-day financial markets, including trading firms, exchanges, dark pools, and financial regulation. The course also addresses the morality and ethics of markets (including the ethical challenges raised by the use of AI-based algorithms in finance) and the ways in which finance might contribute to inequality. Teaching will be based on a mixture of lectures and student presentations. The course contains blended learning components, as videos will supplement the readings. Continuous feedback is ensured through written feedback to students after their presentations.

Description of the teaching methods
The course will be taught as a mixture of lectures, class discussion, and student group presentations.
Feedback during the teaching period
Feedback in relation to lectures is integrated into the respective classes. In relation to student group presentations each group will receive written feedback on their presentation.
Student workload
Class teaching 30 hours
Preparation for classes 146 hours
Exam preparation 30 hours
Further Information

"Social Studies of Finance: From Financialization to Algorithmic Trading" is part of the minor in Financial Decision-Making in a Social Context. Priority is given to students who register for the full minor. In the case of vacant seats, students can register for one or more of the individual courses.

Last updated on 30-06-2020