It is not necessary to cover any specific topic before doing this course.

This course's objective is to study the basic elements that make up the Spanish financial system, institutions, and markets In order to achieve this objective the student is expected to acquire the following: Knowledge: - Basic structure, functions and characteristics of a financial system - the role of financial intermediaries and markets - Basic knowledge of financial instruments, transactions and financial terminology Capabilities: - the judicial context within which financial markets operate - a global view of the role of financial systems in the allocation of financial resources - Learn the functions, characteristics and classification of assets, intermediaries and financial markets - Interpret a financial market in terms of its architecture - Learn the importance of different trading systems and understand their functioning - Analyze the role of market markers - Be familiar with existing financial instruments Abilities: - Present, discuss, explain and defend opinions in an efficient way both in formal and informal contexts, and both in written and oral form - The ability to look for, transmit, and discern what is the information that is relevant in a particular decision problem - Obtain results individually, in an autonomous fashion, while sharing them via personal relationships and discussion with fellow students - The ability to apply multidisciplinary knowledge to solving specific problems further more, the studens should be able to: - Establish criteria that will be useful to form a critical view of different market organizations - Have rigorous attitude to defend their own opinions - Have a colaborative attitude that will help obtain information and knowledge to solve complex tasks - Have a flexible attitude to make and change decisions - Have a solid ethical view and work commitment

The content is divided into two major blocks. FIRST BLOCK: Introduction to te financial system, the role of credit institutions and their supervisors. Credit institutions and their role in economic development. Supervisors: the Bank of Spain, the Comisión Nacional del Mercado de Valores. SECOND BLOCK: The role of financial systems, their functions and specific characteristics. In both blocks, the students will study different types of financial instruments and assets

Teaching methodology. Teaching will be based on face-by-face teaching. (1) Lectures where the specific course contents will be presented. Students will receive class notes and references that help complete and expand on the topics covered (2) Case studies provided by the instructor. These case studies are related to the content of the course and the specific capabilities the students are to develop (3) Exercises solved by the student as self-evaluation of acquired knowledge, capabilities and skills (4) Common discussion and correction of exercises to ground knowledge and develop analysis and communication skills in a problem-solving environment. In addition, these discussions help the exchange of critical opinion between student and instructor, and amongst students