Seminar: Current Topics in Households‘ Financial Behavior

Course Content

This seminar introduces students to contemporary topics in household and behavioral finance through a combination of academic writing and group discussions. The purpose of the seminar is to develop the ability to critically evaluate relevant academic literature and condense the resulting insights into a written academic report. 

This year’s seminar focuses on the topics of wealthy investors (so-called high-net-worth individuals) and intergenerational wealth transfer and inequality.

Potential topics include (but are not limited to):

1. What are the main drivers of personal investment decisions of high-net-worth individuals?
2. What stock returns do high-net-worth individuals achieve? Do realized returns of wealthy investors differ from the realized returns of the average retail investor?
3. How do the wealthy transfer their wealth and how do inheritances shape wealth inequality?
4. Why are some people wealthy while others are poor? To what extent can governments affect inequality?
5. Why is wealth inequality increasing over time? What explains the determinants and dynamics of wealth inequality?

Intended Learning Outcomes and Competencies

The seminar serves as a preparatory course for the bachelor thesis, focusing on research methodology, academic writing, and presentation skills.

Instruction Type

The kick-off session and final block seminar will take place on campus. The one-to-one meetings with the lecturer will be conducted online or in person.

Form of Examination