LWMTGL-International Corporate Governance and the Law

Module Provider: School of Law
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites: Registered for a postgraduate programme in Law or selected MA programmes or with permission of the Director of PGT Studies in Law.
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Dr Wangwei Lin
Email: wangwei.lin@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

Effective corporate governance structures are fundamental to the corporate and financial systems of any market economy. The failure of many companies, as well as the recent global systemic crisis have been attributed to poor governance practices, amongst other factors. Across the globe, countries structure their governance systems to suit their ownership and control models on one hand, and their chosen policy directions, on the other. This module invites a contextual analysis of corporate governance systems with particular reference to that of the United Kingdom, the internationally renowned governance system which introduced the Comply or Explain model. It examines the structure and components of the UK governance system; explores its rich history and underlying debates; analyses the empirical studies which seek to measure the effects of the extant model on corporate practices. Using the UK system as a point of reference, it examines the key theoretical and policy debates underlying the structure and direction of contemporary corporate governance practices. It engages in the comparative analysis of the approach in the UK and those of other market economies. Finally, it invites international scholars to examine the corporate structures in their economies in light of the principle-based insight gleaned from the discussions.

Aims:
Effective corporate governance structures are fundamental to the corporate and financial systems of any market economy. The failure of many companies, as well as the recent global systemic crisis have been attributed to poor governance practices, amongst other factors. Across the globe, countries structure their governance systems to suit their ownership and control models on one hand, and their chosen policy directions, on the other. This module invites a contextual analysis of corporate governance systems with particular reference to that of the United Kingdom, the internationally renowned governance system which introduced the Comply or Explain model. It examines the structure and components of the UK governance system; explores its rich history and underlying debates; analyses the empirical studies which seek to measure the effects of the extant model on corporate practices. Using the UK system as a point of reference, it examines the key theoretical and policy debates underlying the structure and direction of contemporary corporate governance practices. It engages in the comparative analysis of the approach in the UK and those of other market economies. Finally, it invites international scholars to examine the corporate structures in their economies in light of the principle-based insight gleaned from the discussions.

Assessable learning outcomes:

On successful completion of the module students should be able to demonstrate:

• An understanding of the basic core issues in international corporate governance.


• The ability to draw upon a body of detailed substantive knowledge gained through course readings, class participation and self-study and apply this to theoretical, critical and practical approaches to the legal and policy issues relevant to the core law applicable to international issues of corporate control.


• The ability to research a specific question related to the module content and produce analytical written work incorporating substantive, theoretical and a practical understandings of the issues that arise.


• An ability to describe and analyse comparative materials from legal and non-legal sources.

Additional outcomes:

In addition to those listed in the School’s "core skills statement", the module will encourage the development of:

• High-level oral communication skills through reflective, analytical class-discussion


• High-level writing skills through close and critical analysis of both primary and secondary source material


• An ability to apply theoretical and contextual knowledge to practical problems that face people working in the field

Outline content:

• The concept of corporate governance


• Overview of the UK corporate governance system.


• Corporate decision-making organ: Shareholders-in-meeting.


• Institutional shareholder activism


• Corporate decision-making organ: Board of directors.


• Executive remuneration.


• Corporate and Social Reporting.


• Comparative review of corporate governance systems.


• Corporate governance and financial institutions.


• Contemporary issues in corporate governance.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
Teaching will consist of 10 x 2-hour seminars. Students will be given the chance to submit a formative assessment which will be marked and returned with feedback.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Seminars		20
Guided independent study:		180
Total hours by term		200
Total hours for module

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	100

Summative assessment- Examinations:
N/A

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:
1 assessed essay of 15 pages (formatted in accordance with the School of Law’s Assessed Work Rules)

Formative assessment methods:
One formative assessment task which is an important component of students’ progress towards the learning outcomes of the module.

Penalties for late submission:

The below information applies to students on taught programmes except those on Postgraduate Flexible programmes. Penalties for late submission, and the associated procedures, which apply to Postgraduate Flexible programmes are specified in the policy “Penalties for late submission for Postgraduate Flexible programmes”, which can be found here: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmissionpgflexible.pdf
The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:
50% overall

Reassessment arrangements:
See School of Law PGT Programme Handbook

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books: 

2) Specialist equipment or materials: 

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear: 

4) Printing and binding: 

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification: 

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence: 

Last updated: 30 March 2023