First email – before the start of the semester

Before the beginning of the fall semester, I want to share some information regarding the course with you. 

For general information about the class, you find the syllabus at http://financialblog.files.wordpress.com/2006/08/20060801-f06-370-syllabus.pdf

Many of you want to find a cheap textbook for the course.  If you want to order the book before the semester from an online book-seller, the textbook we will use is Higgins’ Analysis for Financial Management, 8th ed.
http://financialblog.wordpress.com/2006/07/27/textbook-selection/

You will find the best prices for the book at
http://isbn.nu/007325858X

Apart from the textbook, you will also need a financial calculator and a set of cases as well. You will find the best prices for the calculator at
http://www.mysimon.com/9000-11036_8-0.html?mlpid=20656339

Unfortunately, you can buy the cases only at the bookstore.

The first day of class is Aug 23rd, when I also tell you about the class and other aspects that the syllabus and the information that you can gather do not cover.  Also, at our first meeting, you will receive a comprehensive set of lecture notes for the semester.

Weekend …

This morning’s email with a welcoming message from FinancialRounds has a couple of ideas for other finance blogs out there. Read the comment under my earlier post on Edublogging. Thanks, unknown colleague, for the friendly welcome!

Reading the blogoshpere, I came across one heckuva funny article today. Over at EconLog, there is a blog on the international marriage market and the price and equilibrium of legal “human” trafficking. This is another nail in the coffin for RussianBrides.com and its likes, but still does not explain the lack of YYYStuds.com. Oh, well. There is an untapped business opportunity for the entrepreneur in you.

The economics of drug-dealing and narcotrafficing is explored in GoingPrivate. But the funny story is about the “customer service experience” travellers receive at the airlines. Ok, EWR is notorious … Reminds me of an experience in Cleveland a good while back where the customer service representative belittled a passenger, who had a legit complaint and then called security on the person. I was witness to the whole episode and as many others there argue that the airlines have really lost touch with their customers and reality.

I spoke about RateMyStudents.com yesterday. As we all know from experiences our colleagues have had, course and teaching evaluations have evolved into an insidious weapon tenure committees abuse with pleasure. I know of at least several colleagues who have contemplated (not faced) the problem discussed in an article from the Onion. Remember the difference between contemplated and faced.

An a ranking of finance department’s teaching quality reveals surprising results. Way to go Jaime!

Textbook selection

The textbook I use this year, as in previous years, is Rocky Higgins‘ Analysis for Financial Management. The book is in iths 8th edition, which serves as evidence to the quality of the material. In less than 400 pages, the book provides an excellent background to financial management, the interpretation of financial statements and valuation of financial assets.

A reviewer on Amazon writes. “Analysis for Financial Management” is an excellent text that covers the major topics of financial management: how to evaluate and interpret financial statements, the tools a manager should use to forecast future earnings and manage growth, how to properly valuate businesses and investment opportunities, and so forth. This book is ideal if you are familiar with basic accounting and finance concepts but want a deeper understanding of finance in a corporate setting. Each chapter contains a recommended reading list for those who want a more thorough explanation and analysis of the topics covered. There is a website the author has put together that provides more examples and tools. Unlike other textbooks, this book actually has all the answers for exercises at the end of the chapters! Lastly, Higgins provides a number of examples and explains all the major concepts with a touch of humor. This is definitely one of the best books I’ve seen out there.”

For the best price, consult www.isbn.nu.

Hello ?!? “World” ????

Can I get rid of my website and use a blog to communicate with students, colleagues, and others who might be interested in financial education and scholarship?

I want to know. This might be a more efficient and considerably more user-friendly approach that is superior to blackboard and other educationally oriented websites. To find the answer, the best way is to experiment with a blog-based communication interface for a year or so.

While I want to focus on the bare bones of effective dissemination of educational information, I am likely to share some ideas on finance, teaching, scholarship, and life in general. I might even have some original ideas …