Introduction to Valuation

In this introductory course students will examine how investors analyze and value publicly traded companies. Students will learn core approaches to equity valuation, including discounted cash flow, dividend discount models, and comparable company analysis, alongside fundamentals of financial statement analysis. Emphasis will be placed on interpreting market data, assessing risk, and forming reasoned investment perspectives. Through case studies and applied exercises, students will develop both quantitative skills and critical judgment. Designed for students across the liberal arts, this course requires no prior finance experience, though basic algebra is recommended.