You are required to spend 300 learning hours in this paper as follows:

1: Lectures: Students will participate in open discussions about the assigned corporate finance readings. Each assigned reading is to be reviewed prior to class. Attendance is required. (3 hours per week for 8 weeks: 24 total hours)
To understand the current thinking in the existing literature and gain an ability to critically analyse what is required in your research paper.
2 : Course Readings: Students will complete the assigned readings before class. (8 weeks of readings at approximately 11 hours per week: 88 total hours)
To gain an advanced knowledge of corporate finance theory.
3 : Executive Summaries: Write a one page summary for each of the assigned readings and submit it before class. (approx 24 summaries at approx 1.5 hours each: 36 total hours)
Gain ability to summarize complex work in your own words. To determine important points as well as critically analyse the paper. NOTE: Attendance will be taken in class. Executive summaries will NOT be counted as completed if you are not in class for the entire class session to discuss the assigned paper(s).
4 : Analysis and debate: Several lecture times are set aside for the assigned groups to debate a paper (or assigned chapters from a book). There are 4 groups. Each week, two groups will be 'alive' and required to engage and maintain the discussion for the entire 50 mins of the class. The other two groups will be required to assess their performance and assist if appropriate. (Total of 8 debates. 4 of which you are 'engaged' and 4 of which you assess. Approx 4 hours to prepare for the debate plus one hour in class. 5 x 4 = 20 + 4 hours of assessment: total 24 hours)
This activity will serve to mingle all students. It will ensure that students prepare for class and participate while in class. It will provide 'practice' in critical analysis.
5 : Seminar Presentation: Present to the class a detailed description (and analysis) of two papers from the most recent (past 5 years) finance literature. Presentation time: 25 mins. (Total time approx 21 hours).
To gain an in depth knowledge of one specific area in finance which could be used to delve deeper into the topic in your research paper.
6 : Summarise other students' presentations: Attend at least 5 seminar presentation sessions, not counting your own. From these 5 pick one paper from each to summarize and submit. (5 class hours plus 3 hours writing: total 8 hours)
To broaden your knowledge in the literature. To observe and learn presentation skills by observing others.
7 : Research Paper: Complete a research paper which is fit for publication. Criteria will be determined in class. (Total time approx 99 hours)
To gain confidence that your research ability and written skills are functioning at the highest possible level.