Alternative Investments
Duration
- One Semester or equivalent
Contact hours
- 24 hours Face to Face + Blended + Swinburne Online
On-campus unit delivery combines face-to-face and digital learning. For Online unit delivery, learning is conducted exclusively online.
2023 teaching periods
| Hawthorn Higher Ed. Semester 2 |
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|---|---|---|
Dates: Results: Last self enrolment: Census: Last withdraw without fail: |
| Swinburne Online Teaching Period 1 |
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|---|---|---|
Dates: Results: Last self enrolment: Census: Last withdraw without fail: |
Aims and objectives
This unit introduces students to alternative investments as a distinct asset class. Students learn about the characteristics, risk-return assessment, required technology and strategies of alternative investments. Using actual examples from superannuation and sovereign wealth funds students will learn to analyse the use of alternatives as an asset class through an investigation of event-driven, convergence and market-neutral strategies, property, infrastructure, futures, commodities and venture capital. Students will learn the importance of information disclosure, investment performance analysis and the additional due diligence required prior to allocating capital. The ethical concerns for both fund managers and investors will also be explored.
Unit Learning Outcomes (ULO)
Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:
2 Evaluate alternative investment strategies by considering risks and returns assessments and performance measures
3 Understand the importance of due diligence in asset allocation and resolve ethical issues arising from the use of alternative investment strategies
4 Understand technological solutions to investment analysis
5 Work collaboratively as a member of a group
Unit information in detail
- Teaching methods, assessment and content.
Teaching methods
Hawthorn
Type | Hours per week | Number of Weeks | Total |
On Campus Class | 2 | 12 | 24 |
Online (asynchronous lecture) | 1 | 12 | 12 |
Unspecified Activities Independent Learning | 9.5 | 12 | 114 |
TOTAL | 150 hours |
Swinburne Online
Type | Hours per week | Number of Weeks | Total |
Online Directed Online Activities | 12.5 | 12 | 150 |
TOTAL | 150 hours |
Assessment
Types | Individual/Group Role | Weighting | Unit Learning Outcomes (ULOs) |
Assignment | Group | 30-40% | 1,3,5 |
| Presentation | Individual | 10-20% | 1,4,5 |
Examination | Individual | 40-60% | 1,2,3 |
Content
- The need for due diligence in alternative asset classes
- Real assets: property and infrastructure
- Hedge funds
- Managed futures
- Commodities and their strategies
- Venture capital and private equity
- Asset allocation and institutional investors
Study resources
- Reading materials.
Reading materials
Students are advised to check the unit outline in the relevant teaching period for appropriate textbooks and further reading.