COURSE INFORMATION
SPRING 2016
INTRODUCTION TO FINANCIAL ADVISING: PERSONAL FINANCE, BUSG 1304
SECTION 45377 DIL 003 ONL (16 week)
Internet Access Required
Mandatory Orientation on Jan 19, 2016
HOW TO REACH THE
INSTRUCTOR
INA MIDKIFF: Professor of Marketing and Finance
Cypress Creek Campus
1555 Cypress Creek Road
Office: Cypress Creek #2204.8
Phone: 223-2072
FAX: 223-2089
Office Hours: (see attached page)
Email: ina@austincc.edu
Web Address: http://www.austincc.edu/ina
Departmental Web Site: http://www.austincc.edu/mkt
Facebook Site http://www.facebook.com/RELEatACC.com
BUSG 1304 INTRODUCTION TO FINANCIAL ADVISING (OLD NAME, PERSONAL FINANCE)
(
REQUIRED TEXT/MATERIALS
Personal Finance, 11th
edition – Kapoor, Diabay, Hughes, McGraw Hill. The publisher’s website is at http://www.mhhe.com/kdh. You will cover the
entire book in one semester. Please take some time and review the contents of
the Publisher's Web site. You may
purchase this book at any of the college bookstores. It is also available at other bookstores in
Austin as well as online. To find the
best price go to http://www.bestwebbuys.com. The ACC bookstore online is at http://austincc.bkstore.com/bkstore/content.
This course is an Internet DIL
course.
DIL ORIENTATION COURSE INFORMATION
DIL courses are designed for anyone, who has scheduling problems, work-schedules that conflict with normal class times, or any reason they may have. Some students are concerned about the transferability or status of OPC courses. The course content, college credit and transferability are equivalent to those offered in the classroom. The first step to success is your Distance Learning MANDATORY course orientation on Jan 19, 2016.
Introduction to Financial Advising, Busg 1304 is an interactive training system that combines electronic learning materials with online instructor guidance and expertise. It is accessed via the Internet from the student's computer at home or work or in an ACC lab, any time. Concepts are presented through the textbook, the Publishers Web site, information on the instructor's Web site, and Blackboard.
You will cover the same material as in a regular class. You must have access to the Internet and an email account. The primary framework for instruction is the Internet. The Interactive capabilities such as email and listserv, access to library on-line, office hours, discussion forums, facilitate student to instructor communication. This asynchronous learning allows students who have other responsibilities to participate in course offerings. Being able to send a message to the instructor at any time, instead of traveling to the campus during the instructor's posted office hours, makes it possible for those who have limited or no time beyond the normal class time to talk to the instructor.
Course content is delivered in Blackboard. This syllabus,
assignments, core course information, announcements, structured student
activities, and discussion information are all located in Blackboard. You will
view web pages, send and receive email, download files, and upload files you
have created using ACC’s Blackboard system. If you do not have an ACCeID you
will need to activate it by going to the “First-time login” link at http://www.austincc.edu/acceid/step1.htm. Go to http://acconline.austincc.edu
for student entry into Blackboard. You
will need your student ID and password to log into Blackboard. Blackboard
access is available the first day of the semester. You must complete your MANDATORY course orientation in Blackboard.
You must be able to communicate with the instructor by email. You need an individual account, which is not shared with anyone else. In EVERY email message you send me, the subject line must include BUSG 1304, DIL. Also your first and last name must be included somewhere in the message.
Tests will be taken on-campus in the Testing Centers. Testing center information is at http://www.austincc.edu/testctr/. You must have your ACC ID in order to take a test in an ACC testing center. Additional information will be available in Blackboard.
As the online instructor I will monitor your progress and advise you as appropriate via email, telephone, or chat room discussions. You will be evaluated by means of tests, assignments, and projects.
Distance Learning Student Information is available at http://dl.austincc.edu/students/#Resources. If you are not sure about the technical skills needed to be successful in a Distance course please review the Technical Skills Checklist at http://dl.austincc.edu/Students/TechCheck.html. I also think you should go to http://dl.austincc.edu/passport/ and read information about how to be successful in a Distance Learning course. If you need Computer services go to http://irt.austincc.edu/ict/computing for more information. Library services are available online for Distance Learning students at http://dl.austincc.edu/students/#Library. The Office for Students with Disabilities is located at http://www.austincc.edu/support/osd/
Distance Learning Help Line, 1-512-223-8026, Toll free
1-888-223-8026 or dl@austincc.edu. Distance
Learning Help Line is open 8am to 5pm Monday-Friday.
COURSE RATIONALE
Instructional Methodology:
This course will attempt too challenge all students to use critical
thinking in the analysis and development of complex financial solutions to the
many challenges associated with Introduction to Financial Advising. Through Internet discussion of current
events, indicated assignments and projects, students are expected to gain
technical and managerial skills that will allow them to succeed in the
financial world. Introduction to
Financial Advising is not just about
textbook learning: it challenges students to use their critical/creative skills
in all aspects of Introduction to Financial Advising, not just those covered in this course.
COMMON COURSE
LEARNING OBJECTIVES/OUTCOMES
This course is designed to offer an integrated approach to understanding the concepts and applications of financial planning. Upon successful completion of the course, students should be able to:
GRADING
Exam reviews are in Blackboard. I encourage you to use this as a great study review.
Grades will be based on the following areas of performance.
Exam One 200 points (20%) Chapters 1,2,3,4,5,6,7
Exam Two 200 points (20%) Chapters 8,9,10,11,12,13
Exam Three 200 points (20%) Chapters 14,15,16,17,18,19
Exams Total 600 points
Chapter Assignments, 200 points
Assignments 1-4, (25 points each) 100 points
Discussion Board Participation, 100 points
Assignments will total 400 points
Exams plus assignments equal 1000
A=900-1000points// B=800-899 points// C=700-799 points// D=600-699 points F Below 600 points.
IMPORTANT DATES FOR SPRING
2016
Exam One, Feb 22, 2016
Exam Two, April 6, 2016
Exam Three, May 11, 2016
Assignment One, Chapter 4, Feb 6, 2016
Assignment Two, Chapter 7, Feb 20, 2016
Assignment Three, Chapter 13, April 4, 2016
Assignment Four, Chapter 18, April 28, 2016
April 25, 2016 is the last day to drop.
TESTING
You must complete 3 exams this semester. The exams will be taken in the ACC testing
centers. Additional information about
the exams will be available on Blackboard. If you miss an exam, with my
permission you will be allowed to take a make-up exam in the testing center. Testing center information is at http://www.austincc.edu/testctr/
PLEASE TURN YOUR CELL PHONE OFF IN TESTING CENTER OR THEY WILL REMOVE YOU.
Suggested Internet Financial Resources
ACC library (You may
log on from home and have immediate access to hundreds of periodicals)
The New York Times Business Section www.nytimes.com
The Wall Street Journal Free Features www.wsj.com
Business Week Online www.businessweek.com
The Economist Online www.economist.com
Marketwatch
http://www.marketwatch.com
Financial
Calculators http://www.dinkytown.com/
INTRODUCTION TO FINANCIAL ADVISING ASSIGNMENTS
CHAPTER ASSIGNMENTS/DISCUSSION/EXAMS
You must complete the following assignments. Each chapter assignment
has a value of 10 points. Assignments 1-4 have a point value of 25 points
each for 100 points. Total value of the end-of-chapter assignments is 200
points (20%).
Assignments must be placed in blackboard by midnight on the day the assignment
is due.
Chapters |
Assignments/Tests/Blackboard |
Due Date 16 week |
Chapter 1 |
Page 30-31, Answer problems 1,3,5 |
Jan 26 |
Chapter 2 |
Page 71, Answer problems 2,3,8 |
Jan 28 |
DB 1 |
Discussion Board |
Feb 2 |
Chapter 3 |
Page 112, Answer problems 5,10,11 |
Feb 4 |
Assignment 1 |
Chapter 4 |
Feb 6 |
Chapter 4 |
Page 150-51, Answer problems 6,10,12 |
Feb 9 |
Chapter 5 |
Page 183, Answer problems 1,5,7 |
Feb 11 |
Chapter 6 |
Page 223, Answer problems 1,2 |
Feb 16 |
Chapter 7 |
Page 262, 249 Answer problems 1,2 |
Feb 18 |
Assignment 2 |
Chapter 7 |
Feb 20 |
Exam 1 |
|
Feb 22 |
Chapter 8 |
Page 293, Answer problems 1,5 |
Feb 26 |
Chapter 9 |
Page 330, Answer problems 5,8 |
March 8 |
Chapter 10 |
Page 362 Answer problems 1,2,3 |
March 22 |
DB 2 |
Discussion Board |
March 28 |
Chapter 11 |
Page 402, Answer problems 2,3 |
March 29 |
Chapter 12 |
Page 438, Answer problems 1,2,3 |
April 2 |
Assignment 3 |
Chapter 13 |
April 4 |
Chapter 13 |
Page 474, Answer problem 4 |
April 5 |
Exam 2 |
|
April 6 |
DB 3 |
Discussion Board |
April 10 |
Chapter 14 |
Page 515, Answer problems 2,4 |
April 14 |
Chapter 15 |
Page 550, Answer problems 7,8 |
April 19 |
Chapter 16 |
Page 584-85, Answer problems 1,2 |
April 22 |
Chapter 17 |
Page 613, Answer problems 1,2,3 |
April 26 |
Assignment 4 |
Chapter 18 |
April 28 |
DB 4 |
Discussion Board |
May 1 |
Chapter 18 |
Page 653-54, Answer problems 3 |
May 5 |
Chapter 19 |
Page 688, Answer problems 1,2,3 |
May 10 May 11 |
Exam 3 |
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ASSIGNMENT ONE
Chapter Four, Page 152 – Financial Planning Case – A Single Father’s Tax
Solution.
Answer questions 1-5.
This assignment is 25 points.
This assignment is due Feb 6, 2016.
ASSIGNMENT TWO
Chapter Seven, Page 263-64 – Financial Planning Case – Financing Sue’s Hyundai Excel. Please complete this assignment by answering questions 1 -4.
This assignment is 25 points.
This assignment is due Feb 20, 2016.
ASSIGNMENT THREE
Chapter 13, Page 476-77. Financial Planning Case – First Budget, Then Invest for Success! Answer all five questions on page 476-77.
This assignment is 25 points.
This assignment is due April 4, 2016.
ASSIGNMENT FOUR
Chapter 18, Page 655. Financial Planning Case – Planning For Retirement. Answer all 5 questions on page 655.
This assignment is 25 points.
This assignment is due April 28, 2016.
All Assignments must be placed in the
assignment drop in blackboard by
DISCUSSION BOARD
PARTICIPATION (100 points)
You are expected to read the Chapters and participate in the bulletin board discussions. In order to earn the full 100 points you must participate in all bulletin board discussions. Discussion topics will be established throughout the class. To earn points you must participate by either stating your comments to the topic (that I provide) or responding to your classmates’ posts. Comments should be well thought out and in complete sentences. You should check the bulletin board at least twice a week for any bulletin boards that may be established in order to discuss a topic. More information about bulletin board discussions will be provided in Blackboard.
EXTRA CREDIT
When you take your exam you may earn an additional 10 points per exam by completing
the following assignment. (One article for each exam)
Read an article concerning some aspect of Introduction to Financial Advising. The article must relate to a topic that is covered in the text. Summarize the article in 1-2 pages, state which chapter and topic it relates to, and attach a copy of the article to your summary. This will be due on the day you take your exam. Please place it in the assignment box and provide enough information about where I can find the article.
You will be suitable articles in Business magazines or on Web sites related to Introduction to Financial Advising. The best place to find articles is at the ACC online library. Go to http://library.austincc.edu/help/offcampus.htm and follow the instructions at http://library.austincc.edu/help/offcampus2.htm. If you pick an article from the Rele/Finance Facebook page I will double the extra credit from 10 points to 20 points. https://www.facebook.com/RELEatACC. Some articles may be a video and videos on the Facebook page are ok to utilize for the extra credit.
CLASS OUTLINE/CALENDAR
FOR SPRING 2016
16 week Class Schedule Jan 19 – May 11, 2016
This outline will keep you on schedule.
Month/Day Schedule |
Assignment |
Jan 19 |
First class day |
Jan 25 |
Chapter 1,2 - Personal Finance Basics and the Time Value of Money |
Jan 27 |
Chapter 2,3 – Financial Aspects of Career Planning |
Feb 1 |
Chapter 3 – Money Management Strategy; Financial Statements and Budgeting |
Feb 3 |
Chapter 3, 4 – Planning Your Tax Strategy |
Feb 8 |
Chapter 4, 5 – Financial Services: Savings Plans and Payment Accounts |
Feb 10 |
Chapter 5, 6 – Introduction to Consumer Credit |
Feb 15 |
Chapter 6, 7 – Choosing a source of Credit; The Costs of Credit Alternatives |
Feb 17 |
Chapter 7 |
Feb 22 |
Exam One |
Feb 24 |
Chapter 8 – Consumer Purchasing Strategies and Legal Protection |
Feb 29 |
Chapter 8 |
March 2 |
Chapter 9 – The Housing Decision: Factors and Finance |
March 7 |
Chapter 9, 10 – Property and Motor Vehicle Insurance |
March 9 |
Chapter 10 |
March 21 |
Chapter 10 |
March 23 |
Chapter 11 – Health, Disability, and Long-Term Care Insurance |
March 28 |
Chapter 11 |
March 30 |
Chapter 12 – Life Insurance |
April 4 |
Chapter 13 – Investing Fundamentals |
April 6 |
Exam Two |
April 11 |
Chapter 14 – Investing in Stocks |
April 13 |
Chapter 14 |
April 18 |
Chapter 15 – Investing in Bonds |
April 20 |
Chapter 16 – Investing in Mutual Funds |
April 25 |
Chapter 17 – Investing in Real Estate and Other Investment Alternatives |
April 27 |
Chapter 17, 18 |
May 2 |
Chapter 18 – Starting Early: Retirement Planning |
May 4 |
Chapter 18, 19 – Estate Planning |
May 9 |
Chapter 19 |
May 11 |
Final |
INSTRUCTOR CLASS
POLICIES
v Missed Exams – If you miss an exam you have 48 hours to contact me and arrange to take the exam as soon as possible. You will then have 5 days to take a make-up exam. The final must be taken at the scheduled time. There is no make-up for the final.
v Student
Withdrawal Policy – It is the responsibility of the student to withdraw from
this class. If you are unable to
complete this course due to illness, moving, etc., please officially drop or
you will receive an F. Remember that April
25, 2016 is the last day to officially drop.
v Assignments
will not be accepted late. Academic work
submitted will be your thought, research, or self-expression. Absolutely no Plagiarism.
v Counseling services are available to help you with a variety of needs, if you need more information please don’t hesitate to ask.
v Office hours are posted outside my door and on my web page at http://www.austincc.edu/ina. Ask if you need help. I am here to help you!
v All students must take the final, no exceptions.
DEPARTMENTAL
COURSE/CLASS POLICIES
Departmental policies
for Incompletes, Attendance, and Withdrawal are as follows:
Incomplete Policy: An incomplete (I) will be granted to a student in rare circumstances. Generally to receive a grade of I, a student must have completed all examinations and assignments to date, be passing, and have personal circumstances that prevent course completion that occur after the deadline to withdraw with a grade of W.
Attendance Policy: All students are expected to attend classes. Non-attendance will have an impact on the student’s grade.
Austin Community
College Policies for Academic Freedom, Scholastic Dishonesty, Student
Discipline, and Students with Disabilities are as follows:
Withdrawal
Policy
It is the responsibility of each student to
ensure that his or her name is removed from the roll should he or she decide to
withdraw from the class. The instructor
does, however, reserve the right to drop a student should he or she feel it is
necessary. If a student decides to
withdraw, he or she should also verify that the withdrawal is submitted before
the Final Withdrawal Date. The student
is also strongly encouraged to retain their copy of the withdrawal form for
their records.
Students who enroll for the third or subsequent time in a course taken since Fall, 2002, may be charged a higher tuition rate, for that course.
State law permits students to withdraw from no more than six courses
during their entire undergraduate career at
Statement on Scholastic Dishonesty
A student attending ACC assumes responsibility for conduct compatible with the mission of the college as an educational institution. Students have the responsibility to submit coursework that is the result of their own thought, research, or self-expression. Students must follow all instructions given by faculty or designated college representatives when taking examinations, placement assessments, tests, quizzes, and evaluations. Actions constituting scholastic dishonesty include, but are not limited to, plagiarism, cheating, fabrication, collusion, and falsifying documents. Penalties for scholastic dishonesty will depend upon the nature of the violation and may range from lowering a grade on one assignment to an “F” in the course and/or expulsion from the college. See the Student Standards of Conduct and Disciplinary Process and other policies at http://www.austincc.edu/current/needtoknow
Student Rights and Responsibilities
Students at the college have the rights accorded by the U.S. Constitution to freedom of speech, peaceful assembly, petition, and association. These rights carry with them the responsibility to accord the same rights to others in the college community and not to interfere with or disrupt the educational process. Opportunity for students to examine and question pertinent data and assumptions of a given discipline, guided by the evidence of scholarly research, is appropriate in a learning environment. This concept is accompanied by an equally demanding concept of responsibility on the part of the student. As willing partners in learning, students must comply with college rules and procedures.
Statement on Students with Disabilities
Each ACC campus offers support services for students with documented disabilities. Students with disabilities who need classroom, academic or other accommodations must request them through the Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD). Students are encouraged to request accommodations when they register for courses or at least three weeks before the start of the semester, otherwise the provision of accommodations may be delayed.
Students who have received approval for accommodations from OSD for this course must provide the instructor with the ‘Notice of Approved Accommodations’ from OSD before accommodations will be provided. Arrangements for academic accommodations can only be made after the instructor receives the ‘Notice of Approved Accommodations’ from the student.
Students with approved accommodations are encouraged to submit the ‘Notice of Approved Accommodations’ to the instructor at the beginning of the semester because a reasonable amount of time may be needed to prepare and arrange for the accommodations.
Additional information about the Office for Students with Disabilities is available at http://www.austincc.edu/sas
Safety
Statement
Please note, you are expected to conduct yourself professionally with respect and courtesy to all. Anyone who thoughtlessly or intentionally jeopardizes the health or safety of another individual will be dismissed from the day’s activity, may be withdrawn from the class, and/or barred from attending future activities.
You are expected to conduct yourself professionally with
respect and courtesy to all. Anyone who thoughtlessly or intentionally
jeopardizes the health or safety of another individual will be immediately dismissed
from the day’s activity, may be withdrawn from the class, and/or barred from
attending future activities.
Use of ACC email
All College e-mail communication to students will be sent solely to the student’s ACCmail account, with the expectation that such communications will be read in a timely fashion. ACC will send important information and will notify you of any college related emergencies using this account. Students should only expect to receive email communication from their instructor using this account. Likewise, students should use their ACCmail account when communicating with instructors and staff. Instructions for activating an ACCmail account can be found at http://www.austincc.edu/accmail/
Testing Center Policy
Under certain circumstances, an instructor may have
students take an examination in a testing center. Students using the
Do
NOT bring cell phones to the
Student And Instructional Services
ACC strives to provide exemplary support to its students
and offers a broad variety of opportunities and services. Information on these services and support
systems is available at: http://www.austincc.edu/support/
Links to many student services and other information can be found at: http://www.austincc.edu/current/
ACC Learning Labs provide free tutoring services to all ACC
students currently enrolled in the course to be tutored. The tutor schedule for each Learning Lab may
be found at: http://www.autincc.edu/tutor/students/tutoring.php
For help setting up your ACCeID,
ACC Gmail, or ACC Blackboard, see a Learning Lab Technician at any ACC Learning
Lab.
LINKS
The Finance department is accredited by
the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs http://www.acbsp.org .
ACBSP is the premier accrediting association for business schools and programs
with a focus on teaching excellence.
Learning Resource Center Home Page
Student Handbook, http://www.austincc.edu/handbook/acaguides.php
Academic Testing Center Website, http://www.austincc.edu/testctr/
Distance Learning Help Line, 1-512-223-8026, Toll free
1-888-223-8026 or dl@austincc.edu.
Distance Learning Help Line is open 8am to 5pm Monday-Friday.
A
link to the Course Master Syllabus with SCANS competencies is at
http://www.austincc.edu/mkt/mastersyl/busg1304.htm
Return
to Ina’s Main page at http://www.austincc.edu/ina