Instructor Insights
Below, Gary Gensler describes various aspects of how he teaches 15.S08 FinTech: Shaping the Financial World.
"We teach a lot more than knowledge, we teach a way of thinking and a way of analysis."
- What is FinTech?
- The Role of AI in FinTech
- Writing a Chief Executive Memo
- Teaching Remotely
- Cultivating Professionalism
Curriculum Information
Prerequisites
Permission of the instructor is required.
Requirements Satisfied
15.S08 can be applied toward a Master’s in Finance or Master’s in Business Administration, but is not required.
Offered
Different versions of 15.S08 Special Seminar in Management are offered several times a year, in the second half of the spring, summer, or fall term or in the January Independent Activities Period.
Assessment
Grade Breakdown
The students’ grades were based on the following activities:
- 40% Group research paper
- 30% Individual write-up
- 30% Class participation
Student Information
Enrollment
80 registered students, plus 38 registered listeners
Breakdown by Year
Graduate students
Breakdown by Major
A mix of graduate students in Master’s of Finance and MBA programs
Typical Student Background
The finance students in the class tended to be fairly young and computer-savvy; the MBA students were a mix of traditional students, mid-career students, and Sloan Fellows.
How Student Time Was Spent
During an average week, students were expected to spend 12 hours on the course, roughly divided as follows:
In Class
Met online 2 times per week for 1.5 hours per session; 12 sessions total; mandatory attendance
Out of Class
Outside of class, students completed assigned readings and the individual write-up assignment, and worked in groups on the group research paper.
