Presentations for Computational Finance

Presentations for Computational Finance

Course Syllabus for 46-971

Prof. Evelyn Pierce

Email:  emp@andrew.cmu.edu        Telephone:  412-726-7828 (cell)

Course Objectives

Course Text

How Audiences Decide: A Cognitive Approach to Business Communication, Richard O. Young, New York: Routledge. 2011.  

• Choice Magazine, the leading reviewer of academic texts for university libraries, calls How Audiences Decide “richly detailed,” “comprehensive,” “an outstanding resource,” and rates it as “Highly Recommended.”

Grades

Participated fully in all classes:                B+

Scored in top third of your section overall:        A-

Scored #1 in your section overall:                A

All students may boost their final grade by one half-letter grade (e.g., from a B+ to an A-) by (a) reading Chapter 1 of the course text, and (b) by the final class period of the mini, submitting their answers to the five discussion questions for extra credit.  

Scores for the all speeches are based on the Presentation Evaluator.  Its twenty-five criteria are worth four points each. Scores for the job interview are based on the Job Interview Evaluator.

To receive credit for the course, you must complete a mock interview with a Communication Coach and obtain their feedback on three documents prior to the last day of class:

• your resume for your job interview
• a cover letter to the firm
• a thank you note to the recruiters

To schedule an appointment with a Communication Coach, please visit https://cmu.mywconline.com/

Schedule of Assignments

Week 1         Introduction to Audience Decision Making        

        Please review “Guide to the Presentation Evaluator” in the

F Sept 4        Tool Kit folder on Blackboard.  

Week 2                A Critique of Pro & Con Decks (10 minutes, not graded)

        Topic:                        Critique of prior students’ slide decks

F Sept 11                Presenter’s role:         Trainer

Audience:                 MSCF students

Desired decision:         Students use suggestions in their case competition

Week 3        A Recruiting Talk (3 minutes, not graded)

        Topic:                        An internship opportunity

F Sept 18 (in NYC)        Presenter’s role:         Recruiter for the firm

Audience:                 MSCF students

Desired decision:         Students request an interview with the firm

Week 4                A Trade Idea (3 minutes)

        Topic:                        Any currently viable trade idea

F Sept 25                Presenter’s role:         Trader

Audience:                 Boss, other traders, investors, etc.

Desired decision:         Audience approves trade

Week 5                A Job Interview (5 minutes)

        Topic:                        An interview with a financial firm

F Oct 2                        Presenter’s role:         Applicant for summer internship

Audience:                 Recruiters

Desired decision:         Recruiter invites student to second round interview

Week 6                        A Training Presentation (3 minutes, not graded)

                        Topic:                        Any topic not already covered in class

F Oct 9                        Presenter’s role:         Trainer

Audience:                 MSCF students

Desired decision:         Students use the technique when presenting

Week 7        MSCF Case Competitions (10 minutes)

        Topic:                        Any current issue in finance

F Oct 16 (in NYC)        Presenter’s role:        Advocate for one side—either pro or con

Audience:                 Policy makers, investors, etc.