PERSONAL FINANCE FINANCE 101 (26700) 3 semester credits Spring Semester 2015

Transcription

1 PERSONAL FINANCE FINANCE 101 (26700) 3 semester credits Spring Semester 2015 Class Meeting Information This course meets online Full Semester Course (January 20-May 16) ** The course will be available by 8:00 AM on the first day of instruction (WNC Policy ). Instructor: Dr. Angela Sawyer Phone: (775) angela.sawyer@wnc.edu **Instructor will respond to student communications within 48 hours except during weekends and holidays (WNC Policy ). Division Contact: Sherry Black Director of Career and Educational Technology Office: Carson City (775) ext IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF EACH STUDENT TO READ AND UNDERSTAND THIS SYLLABUS. Contact the Instructor if you have any questions. After reading over the syllabus, post a response (under the syllabus icon) stating "I have read over the syllabus and I understand all of the requirements for this course." All responses are due by Sunday, Jan. 25, General Information Academic Division: Career and Technical Education Name: Personal Finance Discipline: Finance (FIN) Credits: 3 Class Schedule: Online

2 Prerequisites: None Transfer Information: Courses with numbers 100 to 299: This course is designed to apply toward a WNC degree and/or transfer to other schools within the Nevada System of Higher Education, depending on the degree chosen and other courses completed. It may transfer to colleges and universities outside Nevada. For information about how this course can transfer and apply to your program of study, please contact a counselor. Course Outline I: Catalog Course Description Introduces personal financial planning. Emphasizes budgeting, obtaining credit, buying decisions for a home, auto or other large purchases, investment decisions, and retirement planning. II: Course Objectives This course introduces personal financial planning. Emphasizes budgeting, obtaining credit, buying decisions for a home, auto or other large purchases, investment decisions, and retirement planning. After completing the course, the student should be able to demonstrate a basic knowledge of Personal Financial decisions The student will be able to manage their personal financial decisions in an improved manner After completion of the course the student should be able to develop a budget and understand basic cash and credit management of their finances III: Course Linkage Linkage of course to educational program mission and at least one educational program outcome. This class meets a requirement of the following: AAS- Management Emphasis. FIN 101 (Personal Finance) addresses Student Learning Outcomes: 1. Know the subject matter appropriate to the emphasis of the degree. 2. Have developed managerial and personal skills essential to the current business environment.

3 Textbook: Purchase is required. Personal Financial Planning / 13 Edition by Gitman ISBN: Additional Materials Needed: Adobe Acrobat Reader or Adobe Flash Player (install 10). You can install the Adobe Acrobat Reader or Adobe Flash Player for FREE at the following website Also, make sure you have access to Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word and Microsoft PowerPoint. If you do not have the programs install on your personal computer, you can use the computers at the college or your local library. Calculator: Each student MUST have a calculator, which performs basic arithmetic functions. Some students may find it helpful to have a financial calculator, such as the Texas Instruments BA II Plus. The BA II Plus Professional (is more expensive) adds several additional software functions that may be useful, but they are ones that you generally will not need unless you are a finance major and you will use these in your future classes. Make sure you set P/Y and C/Y to 1. KEY STROKES: [2nd] [P/Y] [1] [ENTER]; [2nd] [P/Y] [down arrow] [1] [ENTER] Also to set the format (for example 5 decimal places) on your calculator. KEY STROKES: [2nd] [FORMAT] [5] [ENTER] Clear TVM: [2nd] [FV]; Clear Cash Flow Worksheet: [CF] [2nd] [CE\C] Can't see decimals on your calculator? Trick the calculator to show them to you. What is 3 Billion divided by 0.85? Example: Calculate 3,000,000,000 / 0.85 = 3,529,411,765. This number is rounded and you can't see the decimals. Subtract a large number. For example, subtract 3,529,411,000 = This shows the last integer numbers and the decimals. so the answer is 3,529,411, or rounded to two decimal places 3,529,411, *****Additional information can be found in your textbook, Appendix E p , Using a Financial Calculator.

4 Methods of Instruction: Include discussion of text and class materials, analysis of case studies, and problemsolving exercises. Attendance Policies: READ CAREFULLY! This is a challenging class which moves at a fast pace and covers a lot of information. Students are expected to attend every class for the entire length of time. The Instructor may drop any student who misses 3 or more classes during the semester. Leaving a class session early will count as an absence. Students receive credit for participating in Class Discussions, and there is no make-up for missed Discussions. Online students are NOT required to attend classes on campus. However, online students are required to log into the course often enough to remain abreast of any communications from the instructor. It is the student s responsibility to be aware of what is happening in the class online. If you are not able to pull up any one of the icons then you need to contact the HELP DESK. If there is a problem with the system, then the technician needs to contact me ASAP. Preparing for Class/Syllabus: Prepare for class by doing the reading, reviewing PowerPoint, and listing any questions. The amount of time will vary according to each student s background and abilities. Students are responsible for reading the chapters that are being covered for the week. Please look at the class schedule at the end of the syllabus to see what chapters will be discussed each week. The course outline and class schedules are subject to change. All necessary changes will be announced online through Canvas announcement page. As well you are expected to log into the course often enough to remain abreast of any such changes and/or communications from the instructor. It is the student s responsibility to be aware of what is happening in the class online. Class Schedule: See attached outline for reading assignments, deadlines, and planned class activities (class outline posted at the end of the syllabus). The course outline and class schedules are subject to change. All necessary changes will be announced online through Canvas announcement page. Remember, you are expected to log into the course often enough to remain abreast of any such changes and/or communications from the instructor. It is the student s responsibility to be aware of what is happening in the class online. ***All work needs to be done or sent through the course website (in Canvas). This goes for all assignments, papers, projects, or s. If you do not turn in the work through the course website, I WILL NOT TAKE IT. If you are having trouble navigating through the course, please contact the help desk or go into the college for help. Exams: There shall be two examinations given during this course, a midterm and a final examination. The midterm and final exams are not proctored and will be given online. You will have 2 hours to take the 50-question exam. The midterm is the week of March 8:00am PST March 11:55pm PST and the Final is the week of

5 May 8:00am PST May 11:55pm PST. The instructor reserves the right to utilize whatever format (true-false, multiple choice, fill in the blank, essay/short answer) or combination of formats she deems necessary and in the students best interest. There is no make-up for missed Midterm exams and Final exams. Students are expected to take the exams during the week they are given. Remember, you only have one attempt and all midterm/final exams are closed book!!!!! Practice Quizzes: Practice quizzes are not proctored and are given online each week. These practice quizzes are provided as an aid for preparing for the midterm and the final exam. Additional, preparation for the midterm and final exam should include review of each chapter and the chapter handouts posted each week. The practice quiz will contain 20 questions and you will only have 40 minutes to take the quiz. Each quiz will only pertain to the chapters that are being covered for the week. The instructor reserves the right to utilize whatever format (true-false, multiple choice, fill in the blank, essay/short answer) or combination of formats she deems necessary and in the students best interest. Each quiz is due by Sunday 11:55pm of that week. However, you will have unlimited attempts, so keep practicing! Again, these practice quizzes will not be graded!! Discussions/Worksheets: Students will be graded on their participation in class discussions. Students will use worksheets to help them answer the discussion questions each week. You are NOT required to submit the worksheet(s) each week. Students must post their initial response under the discussion board by Thursday (11:55pm PST) of each week. By Sunday (11:55pm PST), you will need to respond to at least ONE classmate and post the response under the classmate you are responding to. There is no make-up for missed discussions. Incomplete discussions/worksheets or discussions not turned in on time will be given a 0. *****To complete the worksheet assignments in this course you are going to need to have the latest version of the Adobe Acrobat Reader and Microsoft Excel installed on you computer. Critical Thinking Cases: These will require you to analysis a situation and answer questions based on the facts given. These questions are designed to test your understanding of important topics in the chapter. Be prepared to fully discuss each question. One sentence answers are not enough. Each critical thinking case is due by Sunday 11:55pm PST of the week it is given. Critical thinking cases are given the following weeks: week 3, week 7, and week 11. *****To complete the assignments you are going to need to have the Microsoft Word installed on you computer. All critical thinking cases mist be submitted in a word doc. format. Student Participation & Conduct/Courtesy and Respect: Students are expected to post assignments on time, and to treat the Instructor and his/her fellow students with courtesy and respect. Any student who engages in rude, disruptive, or distracting

6 behavior will be asked to leave the discussion board and/or class. Policy on Late Work and Make-Up: The policy regarding make-up of required course work is as follows: 1. A student may petition a teacher to make up work when the student has permissible grounds for requesting the makeup. 2. A student will be required to present documentation, which attests the absence is a permissible reason. 3. A student should confer with the teacher prior to an absence, if possible, and arrangements for any makeup of missed assignments should be discussed and agreed upon at this time. 4. A student must petition for makeup of the assignment on the first day that he or she returns to class and/or log into their online course. 5. If permission is approved, the teacher and the student should agree on an acceptable date for completion that will not allow more than five days. 6. Failure to act in accordance with #4 may result in the denial to make up required assignments. 7. A ten percent (10%) penalty will be deducted from grades on makeup quizzes (a date will be selected by the Instructor). There is no make-up for missed discussions, midterm exam, and final exam. Students are expected to complete discussions, midterm exam, and final exam during the week they are given. However, for practice quizzes, you may request an extension, if an emergency occurs. I am more than willing to work with you on completing your assignments. If you need help or an extension on your work, please let me know asap. Pre-Grading: All assignments presented to the teacher will be given a final grade: that is, there is no "pre-grading" nor can assignments be "corrected" after grading for additional points. Grading: Your grade will be calculated as an average of the percentages received from each category of assignments listed below, Final grades for this course are determined by the following: Midterm Exam 25%

7 Final Exam 25% Class Discussions/responses to classmates 25% Critical thinking cases 25% The following grading scale is in effect: A B C D A B C D B C D F 0-59 F For instances of academic dishonesty 1. The "Plus" and Minus" is a part of the grading scale for each institution. It is up to individual faculty members to exercise this option. 2. The "F" grade is a part of the grading scale for each institution. All grades are awarded according to faculty members' judgments. Students may repeat failed courses. 3. Withdrawal indicates that the student did not complete the course. W Grades: According to WNC Policy , Instructors may not issue a grade of W. Under extenuating circumstances that occur after the student withdrawal deadline has passed, the student, with the approval of the instructor of record, may petition the Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs or the Dean of Instruction to be given a grade of W. As stated in WNC Policy , for classes that meet four weeks or longer, a student initiated withdrawal must be completed by the date that 60% of the instruction has occurred. For classes that meet less than four weeks, a student initiated withdrawal must be completed by the day before the first class meeting. Again, I will not assign a W grade for the course. If you choose to withdraw from the course, it is your responsibility to do so according to WNC policy. Otherwise, I will give you the grade you have earned by the date of the Final Exam. 4. The course syllabus shall contain a clear explanation of the grading scale to be used by the faculty member. Students may not appeal the format an instructor chooses. 5. "I" GRADE: An Incomplete grade may be given by the instructor when a student has completed 75 percent of the course work with a grade of at least "C," but where there is some verifiable, compelling reason for the lack of completion. College regulations limit the amount of time the student has to make up assignments or examinations. The "I'' (Incomplete) must be made up within 120 days. Failure to do so will result in the "I'' grade being changed to a "W.'' A student wishing to complete the work for a course in which he/she received an Incomplete must make arrangements with the instructor who issued the incomplete grade. A grade change is due to Admissions & Records within 120 days of the end of the applicable semester.

8 Official Grades As per WNC policy, students may view their grades online at mywnc. Mid-term grades for full-term classes are generally available after the eighth week of the semester for fall and spring semesters; mid-term grades are not available for short-term classes. Final grades are available two weeks after the end of the semester. To find out your final course grade, you will have to wait for the official grade to be posted on mywnc website. Due to FERPA laws, the Instructor WILL NOT grades to students! Official grades are posted at the mywnc website (my.wnc.edu). Log in to your account and select "Grades" to view submitted final grades. Grades found in your online course may or may not accurately reflect your official grade. If you have any questions, please contact your instructor at (775) ACADEMIC INTEGRITY Western Nevada College is committed to providing a high quality educational experience for all students who attend the college. Academic integrity and honesty in all educational classrooms and programs are critical in providing this high level of education attainment. Students at Western Nevada College are expected to be honest and forthright in their academic endeavors because academic dishonesty disrupts the learning process and threatens the educational environment for all students. Guidelines for Academic Integrity Students assume full responsibility for the content and integrity of the coursework they submit. The following are guidelines to assist students in ensuring academic integrity: Students must complete and submit only their own work on examinations, reports, and projects, unless otherwise permitted by the instructor. Students are encouraged to contact their instructor about appropriate citation guidelines. Students may benefit from working in groups. They may collaborate or cooperate with other students on graded assignments or examinations as directed by the instructor. Students must follow all written and/or verbal instructions given by instructors or designated college representatives prior to taking examinations, placement assessments, tests, quizzes, and evaluations. Students are responsible for adhering to course requirements as specified by the instructor in the course syllabus.

9 Academic Dishonesty The College places a high expectation on all students to act honestly in all situations. The College does recognize that some students will choose to commit acts of academic dishonesty, which places an expectation on all faculty and staff to confront these acts of dishonesty. What is Academic Dishonesty? Academic dishonesty is any form of cheating and plagiarism which results in students giving or receiving unauthorized assistance in an academic exercise or receiving credit for work which is not their own. Academic dishonesty is a behavioral issue, not an issue of academic performance. As such, it is considered an act of misconduct and is subject to the College disciplinary process as defined in the Nevada System of Higher Education Code. What are Specific Acts of Academic Dishonesty? Cheating Cheating is an act of deception by which a student misrepresents that he or she has mastered information on an academic exercise, which in fact has not been mastered. Examples include: Copying from another student s test or assignment. Allowing another student to copy from a test or assignment. Collaborating during a test with any other person without instructor permission. Using the course textbook or other course materials during a test without instructor permission. Using prepared materials during a test (e.g., notes, formula lists, notes written on the student s clothing, etc.) without instructor permission. Stealing, buying, or otherwise obtaining all or part of a test before it is administered. Selling or giving away all or part of an unadministered test, including answers. Bribing any person to obtain an unadministered test or any information about the test. Taking a test for someone else or permitting someone to take a test for the student. Plagiarism Plagiarism is presenting someone else s words, ideas or data as one s own. When a student submits work that includes the words, ideas or data of others, the source of that information must be acknowledged through complete, accurate and specific references, and if verbatim statements are included, through quotation marks as well. In academically honest writing or speaking, the student will acknowledge the source whenever: Another person s actual words are quoted.

10 Another person s idea, opinion or theory is used, even if it is completely paraphrased in the student s own words. Facts, statistics, or other illustrative materials are borrowed, unless the information is common knowledge. Some pitfalls that lead to plagiarism: Procrastination Failure to follow instructions for the assignment Inadequate writing skills to accomplish the assignment How you can avoid these problems: Have someone you trust review your work and/or sources. Talk with your faculty members, Division Chair, or counselor about your writing skills. Complete drafts before due dates. Use the Academic Skills Center. At the discretion of the Instructor, students may be required to submit their course assignments to Turnitin.com for a review of textual similarity and detection of possible plagiarism. In doing so, students will allow their essays to be included as source documents in the Turnitin.com reference database, where they will be used solely for the purpose of detecting plagiarism. The terms that apply to the college use of the Turnitin.com service are described on the Turnitin.com website. The Originality Report should report a Similarity Index no higher than 15%. Multiple Submissions You may not submit a substantially similar paper or project for credit in two (or more) courses unless expressly authorized to do so by your instructor(s). You may, however, rework or supplement previous work on a topic with the instructor's approval. Some students mistakenly assume that they are entitled to submit the same paper (or other assignment) for two (or more) classes simply because they authored the original work. Unfortunately, students with this viewpoint tend to overlook the relevant ethical and academic issues, focusing instead on their own "authorship" of the original material and personal interest in receiving essentially double credit for a single effort. Unauthorized multiple submissions are inherently deceptive. After all, an instructor reasonably assumes that any completed assignments being submitted for credit were actually prepared for that course. The issue of plagiarism is also relevant. If, for example, you previously prepared a paper for one course and then submit it for credit in another course without citing the initial work, you are committing plagiarism essentially "self-plagiarism" the term used by

11 some institutions. Recall the broad scope of plagiarism: all types of materials can be plagiarized, including unpublished works, even papers you previously wrote. Another problem concerns the resulting "unfair academic advantage" that is specifically referenced in the University's definition of scholastic dishonesty. If you submit a paper for one course that you prepared and submitted for another class, you are simply better situated to devote more time and energy toward fulfilling other requirements for the subsequent course than would be available to classmates who are completing all course requirements during that semester. In effect, you would be gaining an unfair academic advantage, which constitutes academic dishonesty. Lastly, an additional issue concerns the problematic minimal efforts involved in "recycling" papers (or other prepared assignments). Exerting minimal effort basically undercuts the curricular objectives associated with a particular assignment and the course itself. Likewise, the practice of "recycling" papers subverts important learning goals for individual degree programs and higher education in general, such as the mastery of specific skills that students should acquire and develop in preparing written assignments. Fabrication Fabrication is the intentional use of invented information or the falsification of research or other findings with the intent to deceive. Examples include: Submitting as the student s own work any academic exercise (e.g., written work, lab work, computer work, art work, etc.) prepared totally or in part by another. (The typing of a student paper by another person is permissible, but all corrections and rephrasing must be the student s own.) Inventing data or source information for research or other academic exercises. Citing of information not taken from the source indicated. Listing sources in a bibliography not actually used in the academic exercise. Grade Tampering Grade tampering involves changing, altering, or being an accessory to the changing and/or altering of a grade in a grade book, on a test, on an assignment, on a grade change form, or on any other official academic record. Failure to Report a Violation The conscious failure to report any student who has committed a breach of the Code and may result in action against the student involved. This is not meant to be an exhaustive list of all acts of academic dishonesty, but is a guide to help student and faculty understand what constitutes academic dishonesty. Please visit website if you need additional information. Applicable Actions for the College: Consequences for Academic Dishonesty range from receiving a failing grade on an

12 assignment to dismissal from the College. Disabled Students: In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable statutory provisions, as a student with a disability, you have a right to request needed accommodations. If you have a disability for which you will need to request accommodations, please contact the Disability Support Services office (Bristlecone Building, Room 103) at as soon as possible to arrange for appropriate accommodations. ****Please do not use Wikipedia. Wikipedia is not considered a credible or authoritative source. This is especially true considering anyone can edit the information given at any time. FIN 101: CLASS SCHEDULE Week Start-End Date TEXT READING/ MAJOR TOPICS Before you begin Start Here. the course (Week 1), read this information and complete the following tasks 1 (list on right-hand side) ASSIGNMENTS DUE Post class Introduction/reply 2 classmate s introductions; Review Syllabus/post reply; Familiarize yourself with the course Chapter 1/ Understanding the Financial Jan. 20-Jan. 25 Planning Process 2 Jan.26-Feb. 1 Chapter 2/ Your Financial Statements and Budgets Read Chapter 1; Take Practice quiz 1; Submit discussion question and respond to classmate Read Chapter 2; Submit Discussion Question and respond to classmate; Practice quiz 3 Feb. 2-Feb. 8 Chapter 3/ Read Chapter 3; No Discussion

13 4 Feb. 9-Feb. 15 Preparing Your Taxes Chapter 4/ Managing Your Cash and Savings Question and/or worksheet due this week; Practice quiz Critical thinking case due by Sunday, Feb. 11:55pm PST. Read Chapter 4; Submit Discussion Question and respond to classmate; Practice quiz 5 Feb. 16-Feb. 22 Chapter 5/ Making Automobile and Housing Decisions 6 Feb. 23-March 1 Chapter 6/ Using Credit 7 March 2-March 8 Chapter 7/ Using Consumer Loans Read Chapter 5; Submit Discussion Question and respond to classmate; Practice quiz Read Chapter 6; Submit Discussion Question and respond to a classmate; Practice quiz Read Chapter 7; No Discussion Question and/or worksheet due this week. Practice Quiz; Midterm Exam Review 8 March 9-March 15 Midterm Exam Critical thinking case due by Sunday, March 11:55pm PST. To ensure full credit, make sure you answer each question fully. MIDTERM EXAM ONLINE- Chapters 1-7 March 8:00am PST- March 11:55pm PST. (CLOSED BOOK) ***Mid-term grades posted this week. Students may view their grades online at mywnc.

14 Spring Break March 16- March 22 ****March 23---Classes resume after spring break 9 March 23-March 29 Chapter 8/ Insuring Your Life Read Chapter 8; Submit discussion Question and respond to classmate; Practice quiz 10 March 30 April 5 Chapter 9/ Insuring Your Health 11 April 6- April 12 Chapter 10/ Protecting Your Property 12 April 13-April 19 Chapter 11/ Investment Planning Chapters Investing in Stocks April 20- April 26 and Bonds & Chapter 13 Investing in Mutual Funds, ETFs, and Real Estate 14 April 27 May 3 Chapter 14 Planning for Retirement 15 May 4-May 10 Chapter 15 Preserving Your Read Chapter 9; Submit Discussion Question and worksheets /Respond to classmate; Quiz Read Chapter 10; No Discussion Question and/or worksheet due this week; Practice quiz Critical thinking case due by Sunday, April 11:55pm PST. To ensure full credit, make sure you answer each question fully. Read Chapter 11; Submit Discussion Question and respond to classmate; Practice quiz Read Chapters 12 & 13; Submit Discussion Question and respond to classmate; Practice quiz Read Chapter 14; Practice quiz Read Chapter 15; Submit Discussion

15 16 May 11-May 16 Estate Final Exam Question and respond to classmate; Practice quiz Final Exam Review Keep studying! FINAL EXAM ONLINE- Chapters 8-15 (CLOSED BOOK) May 8:00am PST- May 11:55pm PST. ******The course ends Saturday, May 11:55pm PST. ***To find out your final course grade, you will have to wait for the official grade to be posted on mywnc website. Due to FERPA laws, the Instructor WILL NOT grades to students! *********Remember, the above outline is just a guide and discussions/ practice quizzes may change throughout the course. I am always available to answer questions. Be sure to ask. Don't feel intimidated at all. It takes all of us time to learn how to learn about personal finance. It's good to ask questions; it's how we all learn. And at times, students raise points I hadn't thought of and so I learn too. I like that! Welcome to FIN 101!! Good luck in the course. Have fun!!