Financial Literacy & You

Fall 2018
Wednesdays, 7 p.m.

Instructor Name and Preferred Title: Aaron Yeager; Aaron

Phone: [redacted]
E-mail: [redacted]

Full Course Description

This course will guide you on the principles of healthy money management. By the end,
you’ll know how to properly handle and allocate income and expenses. We’ll run
through the sequence for paying off debt and saving for the future, in order of priority.
By the end, you should be confident in your ability to be a responsible and smart
spender.

PLEASE NOTE: If you need individual attention for your financial situation, please
contact me separately, and we’ll setup time to address your questions or concerns.

Learning Outcomes
After successful completion of this course, you will be able to:
1. Know the proper sequence for tackling debt and saving for the future
2. Assess your own spending habits, and identify areas that can be improved
3. Make measurable, positive changes in the way you handle money

Course Materials
No course materials are required for this course. There is no required reading, but I
highly recommend referencing and using the Personal Finance subreddit to ask and
answer any additional questions that I can’t answer, or that come up after the class is
finished:

https://www.reddit.com/r/personalfinance/

What’s especially useful is the “Prime Directive: How to handle money,” which is on the
right-hand side of the subreddit, and linked to below:

https://www.reddit.com/r/personalfinance/wiki/commontopics

Technology Requirements

No computers or other technology are required for this course, but it’s helpful to review
the course materials (PowerPoint presentations, etc.) on your computer or phone to
reinforce understanding of the topics we’ll cover. It also helps to have access to a
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computer or smartphone to download and use budgeting app(s), which will help with
understanding and taking advantage of what you learn.

This isn’t really technology per se, but you’ll need a writing utensil and a notebook to
take notes and complete any assessments that are administered throughout the course.

I will email any course materials we will use for the coming week on the Sunday before
each class. That way, you can digest them ahead of time if you like, and come to the
class with any questions you may have.

Course Assignments and Grading

General Assignment Information

 All coursework (assignments, exams, etc.) will be handed out and must be
completed with a writing utensil
 All assignments and exams are on the day indicated on the course schedule
 Complete rubrics will be provided as an addendum to this syllabus
 Assignments may be due same-day or the week after, depending on their
complexity

Quizzes

Be prepared to answer questions in both multiple-choice and short answer format on

the three quizzes administered throughout the course. if you miss class or are tardy
when the quiz is given, you cannot make it up later.

Evaluation and Grading Scale

All grades will be written on your quiz handouts, and I will discuss the correct answers
when we meet the week after. Grades are for your own benefit only – this class is
given on a pass/fail basis. If you show up and participate throughout the class, you will
be given a certificate for completing it.

Quizzes (3 @ 100 points each) - 300 points

Grading Scale
(individual quizzes)
91% - 100% = A
81% - 90% = B
71% - 80% = C
>71% = D
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Course Policies and Procedures

Attendance Policy

When you miss class, you miss important information. If you are absent, you are
responsible for learning material covered in class. If you are absent when an
assignment is due, you must have submitted the assignment prior to the due date to
receive credit.

Academic Integrity

You are expected to practice the highest possible standards of academic integrity. Also,
there’s no real point to cheating, as the class is pass/fail, so please refrain from it.

Plagiarism

Using the words or ideas of another as if they were one’s own is a serious form of
academic dishonesty. If another person’s complete sentence, syntax, key words, or the
specific or unique ideas and information are used, one must give that person credit
through proper citation.

Class Conduct

Professionalism will be expected at all times. Because the classroom is a place

designed for the free exchange of ideas, we must show respect for one another in all
circumstances. We will show respect for one another by exhibiting patience and
courtesy in our exchanges. Appropriate language and restraint from verbal attacks upon
those whose perspectives differ from your own is a minimum requirement. Courtesy and
kindness is the norm for those who participate in my class.

Laptop/Smartphone Policy

The use of laptops and smartphones is allowed only when it is required for course
assignments. Cellphones should be placed on silent and should be put away in your
pocket or bag. If there is a serious need to leave your phone on vibrate (such as a
family emergency), please let me know.

Late Work/Make-up Policy

No late or make-up work is accepted. All assignments, quizzes, and exams are due by
the deadline as posted on the course schedule.

Please plan accordingly, and complete these assignments in advance of their deadlines
to ensure any unanticipated circumstances do not result in a missed assignment. User
error does not qualify you for any kind of makeup or retake opportunity.
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Completing and submitting the assignments or quizzes responses by the due date is the
sole responsibility of you. If you receive an incomplete score because of failure to
submit the assignment or test by the due date, then your score for that assignment will
be recorded as "zero."

You will be allowed to take quizzes one time each on or before the due date/time as
indicated on the course calendar. If you are concerned about missing a deadline, please
notify me ahead of time.

Instructional Methods

The course will be taught primarily through lecture, but throughout the course, you will be
encouraged to ask questions and discuss the topics at hand. At certain points throughout
the course, I may ask that you discuss in groups what I’ve lectured on that day, and one
representative from the group will give a short presentation on what you and other group
members have learned. I will let you know on my email the Sunday before each class
whether I plan on having a group discussion that week.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Jackie Robinson Recreation Center is committed to an environment that is

inclusive, safe, and respectful for all persons. To that end, all course activities will be
conducted in an atmosphere of friendly participation and interaction among colleagues,
recognizing and appreciating the unique experiences, background, and point of view
each student brings. You are expected at all times to apply the highest academic
standards to this course and to treat others with dignity and respect.

Expectations of the Instructor

I am expected to facilitate learning, answer questions appropriately, be fair and

objective in grading, provide timely and useful feedback on assignments, and treat you
as I would like to be treated.

Course Communication

I will be communicating with you regarding grades and assignments. If you need to get
in touch with me, the best method is by email. Generally, I will reply to emails within 24
hours and will provide feedback on assignments within 48 hours.

If you are having trouble with this course or its material, you should contact me via email
to discuss the issues.

Emails will be sent your email address. It is your responsibility to ensure that your email
account works properly in order to receive mail.
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Copyright/Fair Use Statement

I will cite and/or reference any materials that I use in this course that I do not create.
You, as students, are expected not to distribute any of these materials, resources,
quizzes, homework assignments, etc. (whether graded or ungraded), except if they are
public knowledge, such as the Personal Finance subreddit I referenced above.

Academic Success

Disability Services

Students with disabilities are encouraged to contact me to discuss the logistics of any
accommodations needed to fulfill course requirements (within the first week of the
semester).

Course Schedule

Week Date Topic Quiz/Assignment Due Today

1 Course Overview and

Introductions
2 Budgeting Assignment 1:
Creating a budget
3 High-interest Debt Quiz 1 Assignment 1

4 Building an Emergency
Fund
5 401k: Matching Funds

6 Low(er)-interest Debt Quiz 2

7 IRAs

8 Retirement (additional Assignment 2:

saving, and calculating Calculate
earnings) retirement
earnings
9 Saving for Other Goals Quiz 3 Assignment 2

10 Course Summary and

Q&A