Personal Finance

Syllabus

Required Text
There is no required textbook for this course. All instructional materials are included in this
course.

Course Description
In this eight-week course, you will gain the tools to dramatically alter your financial life for the
better. By implementing the knowledge learned in this course, you will develop sound money
management skills and can increase your earning and investment potential for life.

Course Objectives
1. Synthesize the relationship between the financial system and economic growth
2. Appraise how money is used and measured
3. Translate the role banks play in the economy
4. Support present value as a tool for making business decisions
5. Distinguish between interest rates and variables that affect them
6. Compile the variables that affect real interest rates
7. Devise how the stock market relates to economic health
8. Compare opportunities and strategies for attaining personal wealth
9. Develop a plan for future financial need and retirement

Tentative Schedule
Week
Week 1 "Create an
individual financial roadmap
and Prepare a beginning
budget"
Week 2 "Budgeting"
Week 3 "Savings and
Investment Planning"
Week 4 "Debt and Credit"
Week 5 "Taxes and
Assignments
Reading "Introduction to the Financial Planning Process"
Lecture "Financial Planning and the Successful Life"
Lecture Importance of a College Degree"
Discussion Question: Importance of Personal Finance
Assignment "Setting Goals"
Quiz
Reading "Budgeting and Financial Statements"
Lecture "Financial Planning and the Successful Budgeting"
Discussion Question: "Virtual Field Trip--Career Choices"
Assignment "Household Budget"
Quiz
Reading "Saving and the Automatic Investment Plan"
Lecture "Savings"
Discussion Question: Automatic Investment Plan
Assignment "Personal Saving Strategies"
Quiz
Reading "Banking, Credit Cards and Debt"
Lecture "Managing Credit"
Discussion Question: Filing Bankruptcy
Assignment "Personal Debt Management"
Quiz
Reading "Taxes and Insurance"Personal Debt Management
 Lecture "Taxes and Insurance"
Discussion Question: Importance of
Insurance" Insurance
Assignment "Tax Brackets and Deductions"
Quiz
Week 6 "Investing in the Reading "investing and Wall Street"
stock market and Lecture "Managing Investments"
distinguishing between the Discussion Question: Investing and Risk
business of investing and Assignment "Personal Investment Strategies"
investing in a business" Quiz
Reading "Retirement and Estate Planning"
Lecture "Retirement and Estate Planning"
Week 7 "Retirement and Discussion Question: When and Why to Think about Retirement
Estate Planning" and Estate Planning
Assignment "Your Number"
Final Project Instructions
Reading "Summary: Your Road to Financial Success"
Discussion Question: Income by Education
Week 8 "Review and
Discussion Question: Review and Reflection
Reflection"
Assignment "Final Project"
Online Course Survey

Expected Student Workload

The following table outlines the academic effort required for you to be successful in this course.
While the times in the table are approximate, it is presented to help with your time
management. If you have any questions or concerns, please direct them to your instructor or
student advisor.

Estimated Hours
Week Type of Activity Activity
Required
Readings/Lectures 1.3
Online Discussions 3.0
Assignments 1.0
1 Readings 0.0
Discussions 2.0
Preparation
Assignments 7.0
Clinical/Lab Hours 0.0

Estimated Hours
Week Type of Activity Activity
Required
2 Online Readings/Lectures 1.5
Discussions 3.0
 Assignments
1.0
Readings 0.0
Discussions 2.0
Preparation
Assignments 7.0
Clinical/Lab Hours 0.0

Estimated Hours
Week Type of Activity Activity
Required
Readings/Lectures 1.9
Online Discussions 3.0
Assignments 1.0
3 Readings 0.0
Discussions 2.0
Preparation
Assignments 7.0
Clinical/Lab Hours 0.0

Estimated Hours
Week Type of Activity Activity
Required
Readings/Lectures 1.7
Online Discussions 3.0
Assignments 1.0
4 Readings 0.0
Discussions 2.0
Preparation
Assignments 7.0
Clinical/Lab Hours 0.0

Estimated Hours
Week Type of Activity Activity
Required
5 Readings/Lectures 2.4
Online Discussions 3.0
Assignments 1.0
Preparation Readings 0.7
 Discussions
2.0
Assignments 7.0
Clinical/Lab Hours 0.0

Estimated Hours
Week Type of Activity Activity
Required
Readings/Lectures 2.5
Online Discussions 3.0
Assignments 1.0
6 Readings 0.0
Discussions 2.0
Preparation
Assignments 7.0
Clinical/Lab Hours 0.0

Estimated Hours
Week Type of Activity Activity
Required
Readings/Lectures 2.2
Online Discussions 3.0
Assignments 1.0
7 Readings 0.0
Discussions 2.0
Preparation
Assignments 8.0
Clinical/Lab Hours 0.0

Estimated Hours
Week Type of Activity Activity
Required
8 Readings/Lectures 0.5
Online Discussions 6.0
Assignments 0.0
Preparation Readings 0.0
Discussions 4.0
Assignments 6.0
 Clinical/Lab Hours
0.0

** The numbers listed in the chart above are rounded to the nearest whole

Grading Policy
Grades
Discussion Questions 35%
Assignments (including Final Project) 40%
Self-Assessments 25%