Personal Financial Planning, CRN 74549, Fall 2021

Instructor: Susan Iredale Kline, contact via Canvas Message or e-mail: susan_kline@cuesta.edu

Required Live Lecture: Wednesday 1:30 to 2:50pm via Zoom

Log-in information in the Getting Started Module of Canvas

Student Hours

Weekly Zoom Hours: Thursday from 1 to 2pm and by request

In-person Student Hours: Mon/Wed 11a to 12pm, SLO 4306 (my on-campus office, masks required)

Course Description: Covers the management of income and spending by creating a personal plan using effective financial planning tools. Topics include creating a budget, using credit wisely, making informed insurance decisions, and an overview of different financial assets used for personal investing. 

There are many broad topics in this course, not all may apply to your financial situation today, but this course is less about today and more about preparing for your financial future.  

Required Reading: I Will Teach You to be Rich by Ramit Sethi, and Naked Economics: Undressing the Dismal Science, 2nd edition by Charles Wheelan

Student Learning Outcomes Students will be able to:

1. Identify personal financial goals and develop strategies to meet those goals.  
2. Analyze various investment options, account types, and other financial tools that can be used to help individuals reach their financial goals.  

Grades

Participation/Discussion Posts	20%
Projects	60%
Quizzes/Exams	20%

 

90% +	A	70-79%	C
80-89%	B	60-69%	D

Projects

Assignments will be due by MONDAY @ 4:59 pm. Late work is accepted but incurs a 10% penalty for every 24 hours that it is past the due date.   (Which means once it is 10 days late, there is no credit. For example, if it is submitted Wed, and would have received 40 points if submitted on time, the student will only receive 32 points = 40 less 20% penalty).

 

There are five required projects for this course and one optional or bonus assignment.  More information about each of the projects listed below, is in the file “All Project Instructions” in the “Getting Started” Module of the Canvas course.  

1. Identify your financial goals.
2. Create a budget.
3. The Stock Market Project
4. Identify and Understand Insurance plans
5. Determine your retirement income needs.
6. Track your Expenses for 30 Days (Optional Bonus)

 

Participation & Discussion Posts

We will have a live lecture via Zoom (information in the Getting Started module of the Canvas course) every Wednesday from 1:30pm to 2:50pm. Attendance will be taken via polls on Zoom. Lecture will recorded and posted to Canvas. Five points for attending lecture weekly, and five points for the weekly discussion post (Ten points per week for participation.)

Points for forum posts will be both participatory (at least one point for posting) but also based on how it contributes to the class’ conversation and understanding of the topic. No credit for late posts.  

Initial posts are worth up to 3 points and will be counted until WEDNESDAY at 11:59am (before our weekly class which is held on Wed at 1:30pm every week).

Responses posts are worth up to 2 points and will be counted until Sat at 11:59pm.

I will respond to discussion posts as appropriate - I will NOT respond to every post by every student. If you want to ask me a specific question about a topic, please send me a direct message/email.

College Policies / Assistance 

Instructor Contact Expectations:  The best and fastest way to contact me is email.  I will generally respond to your emails within 36 hours Mon-Fri.  

Course Environment: This online course will be using a Web-based Learning Management System Canvas as the method to disseminate information. Canvas provides the framework for the course including PowerPoint presentations, student data files, the tools to receive and send course materials, and a grade book. Using the communication tools, you can communicate using e-mail, and you can share materials and ideas with other course participants via the discussion forums and groups.

Online Learning: If you have never taken an online class or this is your first experience with Canvas, please be patient with yourself. Online classes are not inherently easier, although they may be much more convenient for many students. You should expect to spend at least as much time, if not more on this course as you would on a course that meets face to face. Much of this time will be self-directed and there will be a substantial amount of reading, viewing, studying, and writing required. This course is completely online using Canvas; all coursework (discussions, assignments, quizzes) is submitted online. Please be prepared to spend 6 - 12 hours per week on coursework for this class.

 

IS an ONLINE CLASS FOR YOU?  First, go to the Online Readiness ResourcesLinks to an external site. and take the "self-assessment " and review all the resources that were designed to help you understand the basis for an online class and the skills necessary for success. (If the tutorials do NOT describe you, then taking this class online is NOT for you and I strongly suggest that you drop the online class and enroll in a traditional classroom section.)

Regular Effective Contact policy: Regular and Effective Instructor Contact will be met through weekly instructor initiated threaded discussion forums; weekly announcements to students; timely and effective feedback on student assignments; email or messaging to individuals; and virtual office hours.

Each student is required to follow all school guidelines and comply with all school deadlines including personal responsibility for adding and/or dropping this class. Drop dates are available on the academic calendar http://academic.cuesta.edu/admrreg/infodate.htmLinks to an external site.. 

Each student is responsible for all information in posted announcements, the syllabus and assignments for the course. 

Academic Honesty: Students are responsible for being aware of and complying with the Academic Honesty Policy (refer to Cuesta College Schedule or Cuesta College Catalog). At the discretion of the instructor, students being academically dishonest (submitting another student’s work as your own, e.g. copying a computer file that contains another student’s work) will be dropped from the course. If the drop deadline has passed, students will receive a failing grade in the course. In addition, a “Student Incident Report” will be filed with the Vice President of Academic Affairs office. 

Students With Disabilities: If you have a disability and need accommodations in this class, please contact Disabled Student Program & ServicesLinks to an external site. at (805) 546-3148 or (805) 591-6215 NCC as soon as possible to ensure that you receive the accommodations in a timely manner. You may also discuss your need for accommodations with the instructor. 

Veteran: If you are a Veteran, please contact Karen Andrews, Cuesta College’s VA Certifying Official - 546-3142. The Veteran Center is in room 6903. The Veteran Center hours are Mon. - Thurs. 9:00am to 4:00pm.  Link to Veteran Services webpageLinks to an external site..

Counseling Center: College life can compound other issues in one’s life. If you are feeling overwhelmed and feel you need help to maintain your personal balance – please contact our counseling centerLinks to an external site. at 805-546-3138. 

LibraryLinks to an external site. Services: Circulation/Reserves: (805) 546-3155 Reference Desk - SLO: (805) 546-3157 NC: (805) 591-6200 Ext. 4410. 

Library hours:  SLO Campus: Monday - Thursday: 8:00 am - 8:00 pm, Friday: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm, Saturday & Sunday: Closed. 

NC Campus: Monday & Thursday: 8:30 am - 7:00 pm, Tuesday & Wednesday: 8:30 am - 8:00 pm, Friday, Saturday & Sunday: Closed. 

Tutorial Services: Promoting the academic skills, learning strategies and attitudes necessary for student success in all disciplines for ALL students. Hours: SLO: 9:00 am - 4:30 pm, Room 3300 NCC: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm, Room N3130. Student success webpageLinks to an external site.