Welcome to Econ 220: Personal Financial Planning, CRN 33465!

with Instructor Susan Iredale-Kline

contact me at e-mail: susan_iredale@cuesta.edu

Office: SLO 4318, Office Phone: 805-546-3100 x2724

 

Econ 220 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.  

 

Textbook: Common Sense Economics: What Everyone Should Know about Wealth & Prosperity by James Gartney & Richard Stroup (Electronic text available at no cost, see “Get Your eBook!” on Canvas) AND a personal finance book of your choosing.  For more information, see the “Book Review/Journaling” file on Canvas.  

 

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.  

 

Accessing Canvas: The first task is to log into the class at Canvas: cuesta.instructure.com by Thursday @ 11:59pm of Week 1.

• Your login ID is the same as your myCuesta login.
• Your password, is your MyCuesta password

Please see the section Online Learning listed under College Policies later in this syllabus/letter for more information.  

 

Grades

Reading-based Assignments	25%
Discussion Posts	25%
Uploaded Assignments	25%
Quizzes/Exams	25%

 

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

Reading Based Assignments & Quizzes/Exams

There will be assignments based on the week’s readings, which can either come from our text Common Sense Economics or from articles posted or linked in the module.  Either an assignment or a quiz will be due every week by Monday @ 11:59 pm. NO LATE ASSIGNMENTS are accepted. The difference between a quiz and an assignment will be how many attempts you have.  Quizzes/exams you will have a limited amount of time (amount of time for each quiz will be specified in the instructions) and only one attempt.  Assignments will allow for 3 attempts and have no time limit.  

 

Uploaded Assignments

There are seven “uploaded assignments” for this course and one optional or bonus assignment.

Assignments will be due by Monday @ 11:59 pm of the week in which they are assigned. Late work will be accepted until Friday, but late assignments will lose 10% of their score EACH DAY.  (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).

More information about each of the assignment listed below, is in the file “All Uploaded HW Assignments - Instructions” in the “Getting Started” Module.  

1. Identifying your financial goals.
2. Creating a budget.
3. Identifying your investment objective and options.
4. Participation in the stock market simulation and analysis of your decisions.  
5. Analyzing health insurance plans.
6. Determining your retirement income needs.
7. Book Review and Journal.
8. Bonus - Track your Expenses for 30 Days

 

Discussion Posts

Each week a new question will be posed relating to that week’s content. If you have no familiarity with the topic you can either look for an article or webpage related to the topic to add as a resource and discuss its relevance to the topic OR you can create 3 true/false or multiple choice questions (be sure to include the right answer) about that weeks reading.  

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. For example, if the post is simply “I don’t have any questions about this topic” that’s not adding to the conversation, and would only be worth 1 point.   No credit for late posts.  

Initial posts are worth up to 3 points and will be counted until Friday at 11:59pm.

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

I will respond to discussion posts as I feel appropriate - I will NOT respond to every post by every student (it just takes too much time). If you want to ask me a 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 24 hours during weekdays only.  During busy times of the semester, the response time may increase to 48 hours.  On weekends, I will do my best to get back to you ASAP but I cannot guarantee an expeditious response.  

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. Since there is no lecture component, 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. There are no face-to-face meetings.  Please be prepared to spend 8 - 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; announcements to students as necessary; timely and effective feedback on student assignments; email, phone 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 calendarLinks to an external site..

Each student is responsible for all information in posted announcements, the syllabus, this welcome letter 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.

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 center at 805-546-3138.

Library 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