FIN 3930

Personal Finance

Course Syllabus

Course Overview:

FIN 3930 is a team-taught course that is designed to provide an overview of personal finance. This course focuses on real life financial issues such as life insurance, tax strategies, personal credit, investment planning, housing decisions, and retirement planning. This course aims to enhance the students understanding of the large array of complex financial instruments available in the marketplace. The student will learn about various personal finance concepts using a combination of cases, problems, and real-life examples. In addition, guest speakers will lecture on selected topics such as life insurance, real estate and investments.

 

Instructors:

Dr. Joseph A. Farinella Dr. Shelton Weeks

Office: Academic 2, 127 Office: Trailer D, 102

Office Phone: 239-590-7372 Office Phone: 941 – 590 - 7373

E-mail: jfarinel@fgcu.edu E-mail: sweeks@fgcu.edu

Office Hours*: Office hours: TBA

Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday

3:00 – 5:00

* Please do not hesitate to stop by our offices at any time. We are usually in our offices during normal business but because of administrative duties our schedules vary. Do not hesitate to call and set up an appointment, we are here to help you.

Prerequisites

None

 

Grading

The student will be expected to read all of the assigned material before coming to class. There will be three quizzes and two exams. The student will not be excused from an exam unless they are given prior approval. Assignments will be collected on the specified dates and late assignments will not be accepted. Course grades will be computed as follows:

Quizzes 30%

Mid-Term Exam 20%

Final Exam 25%

Assignments / Cases 20%

Class Participation 5%

Course Materials:

Required Textbook:

Gitman, Lawrence, J., and Michael D. Joehnk, Personal Financial Planning, seventh edition, Dryden Press, 1996.

Note: Each textbook should contain the personal financial planning worksheets and software.

Recommended Material:

Although the Wall Street Journal, Barrons and personal finance magazines such as Kiplinger’s or Money are not required reading, it is recommend you start reading them now if you haven't already. Money, Kiplinger’s and the Wall Street Journal contain a wealth of information on various topics related to personal finance. In addition, there are a number of excellent online sites that will assist you in making a variety of decisions related to personal finance.

A good calculator is recommended for this course. If you were in the market for a new one, I would highly recommend a financial calculator such as the Texas Instruments BAII Plus.

Course Procedures:

  1. You should attend all class sessions. If you must miss a session you should obtain the notes from a classmate. Remember you are responsible for all of the material covered in class including new material, assignments, exams and changes to the syllabus.

  2. You should read the assigned subject matter and work the assigned problems before coming to class.

  3. You should be an active participant in the class discussion

  4. Further details on the quizzes, and tests will be provided during the semester.

  5. Students are expected to do their own work on assignments and exams. Plagiarism and cheating are serious crimes and will not be tolerated. Students will be held to the highest ethical and moral standards while in class or participating in any class related activities.

  6. When appropriate an incomplete grade will be given in accordance with University policy.

  7. There will be no make up exams. In the case of an emergency, students will be allowed to substitute a special comprehensive final for the exam they miss.

 

 

University Statements:

Academic Dishonesty/Cheating Policy:

"All students are expected to demonstrate honesty in their academic pursuits. The university policies regarding issues of honesty can be found under "Student Code of Conduct" on page 11, and under "Policies and Procedures" on pages 18 – 24, of the Student Guidebook. Al students are expected to study this document which outlines their responsibilities and consequences for violations of the policy."

Disability Accommodations Services:

Florida Gulf Coast University, in accordance with the American with Disabilities Act and the university’s guiding principles, will provide classroom and academic accommodation to students with documented disabilities. If you need to request accommodation in this class due to a disability, or you suspect that your academic performance is affected by a disability, please see me or contact the Office of Multi Access Services. The Office of Multi Access Services is located in the Student Services building, room 214. The phone number is 590 – 7925 or TTY 590 – 7930.

 

 

Tentative Course Outline:

Date: Topic/Assignments Assignment Abbreviations:

Financial Facts or Fantasies (FFF)

Discussion Questions and Problems (DQP) Contemporary Case Applications (CCA)

January 7 Prologue

Chapter 1: Understanding the Financial Planning Process

Assignment: FFF: 1 - 6

DQP: 1 (Collected on January 14)

CCA: 1.1 and 1.2

Larkin Case Background (page 33)

January 14 Chapter 2: Your Financial Statements and Plans

Assignment: FFF: 1 – 6

DQP: 1, 3, 6, and 10 (Collected on January 14)

CCA: 2.1 and 2.2 (Collected on January 14)

 

January 21 Chapter 3: Managing Your Taxes

Assignment: FFF: 1 - 6

DQP: 1, 5 and 6

CCA: 3.1 and 3.2

Larkin Case (page 139) (Collected on January 21)

Quiz 1 Chapters 1 - 3

 

January 28 Chapter 11: Investing in Stocks and Bonds

Assignment: FFF: 1 - 6

DQP: 1 – 4 (Collected on January 28)

CCA: 11.1 and 11.2 (Collected on January 28)

February 4 Chapter 12: Making Securities Transactions

Assignment: FFF: 1- 6

DQP: 1 – 6 (Collected on February 4)

CCA: 12.1 and 12.2 (Collected on February 4)

February 11 Chapter 13: Investing in Mutual Funds

Assignment FFF: 1 – 6

DQP: 1, 3, and 4

CCA: 13.1 and 13.2 (Collected on February 11)

Quiz 2 Chapters 11 - 13

 

February 18 Chapter 14: Meeting Retirement Goals

Assignment: FFF: 1 – 6

DQP: 1, 2, 5, and 7

CCA: 14.1 and 14.2 (Collected on February 18)

Larkin Case (page 605) (Collected on February 18)

February 25 Chapter 15: Preserving Your Estate

Assignment: FFF: 1 – 6

DQP: 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6

CCA: 15.1 and 15.2 (Collected on February 25)

Larkin Case (page 638) (Collected on February 25)

March 4 Mid-Term Exam (Chapters 1 – 3, and 11 – 15)

 

March 11 Spring Break

 

March 18 Professor Shelton Weeks will teach the course for the remainder of the semester

Chapter 4: Managing your Cash and Savings

Assignment: TBA

March 25 Chapter 5: Making Housing and Automobile Decisions

Assignment: TBA

Quiz 3 (Chapters 4 and 5)

April 1 Chapter 6: Borrowing on Open Account

Assignment: TBA

 

April 8 Chapter 7: Using Consumer Loans

Assignment: TBA

April 15 Chapter 8: Insuring Your Life

Assignment: TBA

Chapter 9: Insuring Your Health

Assignment: TBA

April 22: Chapter 10: Protecting Your Property

Assignment: TBA

 

April 29 Final Exam