GREAT BAIN COLLEGE
COURSE SYLLABUS
FIN 101: INTRODUCTION TO FINANCE
SUMMER, 2011
Instructor:Robert M. Cameron
Phone:775-372-1218
Fax:775-372-1219
E-Mail:
Classroom:N/A – Internet Class
Textbook(s):Personal Finance, Garman & Forgue, 10thEdition
The Millionaire Mind, Stanley, Thomas J.
Office Hours:By Appointment
Credits:3
Course Description:
Discussion and analysis of problems relating to financial independence. Budgeting, personal tax concerns, cash and savings investments, real estate, financial institutions and borrowing, insurance, investing, retirement programs, and estate planning are covered for real world applications
Student Learning OutcomesMeasurement
Students will demonstrate a basic knowledgeQuizzes, Final exam,
of introductory finance concepts.Home Work Assignments, and Case Studies
Students will identify and apply basic knowledgeQuiz #1, Home Work
offinance principles to analyze real world cases. and Case Studies
Students will describe the environment in whichQuiz #2, Home Work,
business operates and discuss how business meetsand Case Studies
the challenges presented to it.
Students will be able to transfer knowledge of Finance Application of Financial
Principles to their personal lives enabling an ability to Principles in Home Work
resolve problems and questions as they arise.Assignments, Case Studies,
and Discussions and
the Final Exam.
Students will use finance-related Web resourcesCurrent events
to report current events, career opportunities,
and entrepreneurship updates to the class.
Assignments, quizzes, tests, and reports must be submitted before the posted closing dates. You will not be able to submit late assignments in this course. A LATE ASSIGNMENT IS A MISSED ASSIGNMENT AND RECEIVES NO CREDIT! All assignments, quizzes, tests and reports must be submitted viaWebCampus. DO NOT E-MAIL YOUR ASSIGNMENTS TO ME. All assignments, quizzes, tests, and reports have submission dates posted. I cannot extend the closing dates. Check your E-mail frequently. I will E-mail changes and updates to everyone in the class. I CANNOT RE-OPEN A CLOSED QUIZ, EXAM OR ASSIGNMENT AFTER THE DUE DATE.
To learn the most from this course you should follow these learning steps for each chapter:
1. Read the Chapter Learning Goals.
2. View the PowerPoint slides for a chapter overview. (Some students print out the slides and use them as a note taker when they read the chapter.) (If available)
3. Listen to the chapter audio. (if available)
4. Read the assigned Chapter in your text. Take notes on the topics for future study and review.
5. Attend and participate in class (if available).
6. If you have questions, ask them in class or post them on the Discussion Board. I will try to answer them as promptly as possible.
7. Complete the assignments for the chapter before the closing date.
8. Read the chapter Business Etiquette section.
9. Complete all major exams before the close date.
10. Submit all written assignments before the close date. Carefully follow all of the assignment instructions.
Course Outline:
July 5Course Orientation, review syllabus, course content, informational files
July 6Reading: Chapter 1, Understanding Personal Finance
Case Study:Chapter 1, Case 1, Reasons to study Personal Finance
Homework:Chapter 1, LTAI, Questions 2 and 4
July 7Reading:Chapter 2. Career Planning Case Study: Chapter 2, Case 2, Career Promotion Opportunity
Homework:Chapter 2, LTAI, 2 and 4
July 8Reading:Chapter 3, Case 3, A Couple Create an Educational Savings Plan
Case Study:Chapter 3, Financial Statements, Tools and Budgets
Homework:Chapter 3, LTAI3 and 5
July 11Reading:Chapter 4, Managing Income Taxes
Case Study:Chapter 4, Case 5, The Johnsons Calculate Their Income Tax
Homework:Chapter 4, LTAI, 2 and 3
July 12Reading:Chapter 5, Managing Checking and Savings Accounts
Case Study:Chapter 5, Case 2, Deciding Among the Tools of Monetary Asset Management
Homework:Chapter 5, LTAI1 and 2
July 13Reading:Chapter 6, Building and Maintaining Good Credit
Case Study:Chapter 6, Case 4, Victor and Maria Advise Their Niece
Homework:Chapter 6, LTAI 2 and 3
July 14Review:Review Chapters 1 through 6, Prepare for Quiz 1.
July 15Quiz:Major Quiz on Chapters 1 through 6, inclusive
July 18Reading:Chapter 7, Credit Cards and Consumer Loans
Case Study:Chapter 7, Case 4, The Johnsons’ Credit Questions
Homework:Chapter 7, LTAI, 1 and 4
July 19Reading:Chapter 8, Vehicle and Other Major Purchases
Case Study:Chapter 8, Case 2, A Dispute over New-Car Repairs
Homework:Chapter 8, LTAI1 and 3
July 20Reading:Chapter 9, Obtaining Affordable Housing
Case Study:Chapter 9, Case 2, Emma Chooses Among Alternative Mortgage Options
Homework:Chapter 9, LTAI 3 and 6
July 21Reading:Chapter 10, Managing Property and Liability Risk
Case Study:Chapter 10, Case 4, An Argument about the Value of Insurance
Homework:Chapter 10,LTAI 1 and 4
July 22Reading:Chapter 11, Managing Health Expenses
Case Study:Chapter 11, Case 2, A CPA Selects a Health Care Plan
Homework:Chapter 11, LTAI1 and 2
July 25Reading:Chapter 12, Life Insurance Planning
Case Study:Chapter 12, A Married Couple with Children Address Their Life Insurance Needs
Homework:Chapter 12, LTAI 1 and 3
July 26Review:Chapters 7 through 12, Prepare for Quiz 2
July 27Quiz:Major Quiz on Chapters 7 through 12 inclusive
July 28Reading:Chapter 13, Investment Fundamentals
Case Study:Chapter 13, Case 2, A First-Time Investor Gets a Head Start
Homework:Chapter 13, LTAI2 and 6
July 29Reading:Chapter 14, Investing in Stocks and Bonds
Case Study:Chapter 14, Case 3, An Aggressive Investor Seeks Rewards in the Bond Market
Homework:Chapter 14, LTAI5 and 9
Class Report:Reports on “The Millionaire Mind” due
August 1Reading:Chapter 15, Inventing Through Mutual Funds
Case Study:Chapter 15, Case 2, Selection of a Mutual Fund as Part of a Retirement Plan
Homework:Chapter 15, LTAI 4 and 6
August 2Reading:Chapter 16, Real Estate and High-Risk Investments
Case Study:Chapter 16, Case 1,Real Estate of Stocks?
Homework:Chapter 16, LTAI1 and 3
August 3Reading:Chapter 17, Retirement Planning
Case Study:Chapter 17, Case 3, Deciding How to Invest Retirement Money
Homework:Chapter 17, LTAI 1 and 3
August 4Reading:Chapter 18, Estate Planning
Case Study:Chapter 18, Case 1, A Couple Considers the Ramifications of Dying Intestate
Homework:Chapter 18, LTAI 1 and 2
August 5Review:Chapters 13 through 18, Prepare for Quiz 3 (Final Exam)
August 8:Exam:Final Exam, Chapters 13 through 18
NOTE: Assignments are due NLT midnight on the date assigned, i.e. July 6 assignments are due No Later Than Saturday Midnight, July 6th. However, due to the intensity of the course and short durations as to when assignments are due, you will have a grace period for each week until Saturday midnight. After that assignments will be counted as missed.
Class Report:
For a class report you are to read the book, “The Millionaire Mind” and do a one page summary of the book, then choose any two chapters in the book and do a two page synopsis for each of the two chapters you have selected. The report will be 1 and ½ spaced, times new roman, 12 point. You will need to put a cover page on your report. This report is due Monday, August 1st.
Method of Instruction:
Emphasis is placed upon participation in discussion of assigned reading, quizzes, and exams.
Periodicals and Magazines:
Wall Street Journal, Advertising Age
Sales and Marketing Management, Business Week
Consultation:
Any student needing assistance should consult with the instructor for an appropriate time.
Evaluation:
Grades will be determined on the following basis:
1. Homework20 points per Chapter 360 Points
2. Major Quizzes 150 points per quiz450 Points
3. Class Report 160 Points
5. Instructor’s Prerogative 30 Points
TOTAL1000 Points
There are NO extra credit assignments in this course. There are NO make-up assignments in this course.
Final Grade:
GradeGrade Point ValuePercent
A4.095 - 100
A-3.790 - 94
B+3.387 - 89
B3.083 - 86
B-2.780 - 82
C+2.377 - 79
C 2.073 - 76
C-1.770 - 72
D+1.367 - 69
D1.063 - 66
D-0.760 - 63
F0Below 60
W = Withdrawal up to the 13th week with Instructor consent.
Policy of Academic Integrity:
GBC subscribes to the traditional policy of academic integrity: Students are expected be honest. That means that students are expected to do their own work. In work that utilizes sources written by others, those sources must be given credit for exact words and ideas. Students who plagiarize (copy the work of others and pass it off as their own.) are violating the standards of intellectual honesty and are subject to punishments ranging from failing the assignment to dismissal from the institution. Students who assist other students to cheat or plagiarize are subject to the same disciplinary measures. See page 27 - 31 of the GBC General Catalog 2005 – 2007. For additional information read the article on plagiarism at the end of this syllabus.
Course Adaptations:
If you need any course adaptations based on physical or emotional concerns, or if you need any special assistance in case of building evacuations/emergencies, please let me now at your earliest convenience.
The instructor reserves the right to modify the course requirements, assignments, grading procedures, and other related policies as circumstances may dictate.