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BUS 3690 Microfinance

The undergraduate level microfinance course is currently offered once a year during winter quarter.

Description

SBE offers an undergraduate level microfinance course (one of the first at the undergraduate level in the country).  At present, this course is offered once a year during winter quarter.

Course Philosophy

There are three main philosophical underpinnings of this course.  First, poverty is multi-dimensional.  Therefore, any attempt to comprehend and/or alleviate poverty must be holistic in focus and define human well-being beyond materialistic/ economic terms. 

 Second, despite all of the publicity it has received, microfinance is one tool in the development tool box.  “Hyping” microfinance to the point that it supplants or replaces other legitimate measures of poverty alleviation is simplistic and harmful.  In fact, if not properly motivated or managed, microfinance can produce extremely negative outcomes for its recipients (i.e., increased debt burdens). 

Finally, a full range of financial services (including savings and insurance) vs. “credit” is the most responsible course of action in serving the needs of the poor (versus the needs of institutions).

Course Content

The course examines causes of poverty, methodologies, challenges, limitations, challenges and controversies (including commercialization and outcomes measurement) of microfinance.  Financial reporting and analysis of micro finance institutions using available data is also covered.  The course also has a “hands on” service-learning component, usually a project involving a microfinance organization.

To learn more about the BUS 3690 course, please contact Dr. Kenman Wong,

klwong@spu.edu.