GREAT BAIN COLLEGE
COURSE SYLLABUS
FIN 101: INTRODUCTION TO FINANCE
FALL, 2011
Instructor:
Phone:
Fax:
E-Mail:
Classroom:
Textbook(s):
Office Hours:
Credits:
Robert M. Cameron
775-372-1218
775-372-1219
robertc@gwmail.gbcnv.edu
N/A – Internet Class
Personal Finance, Garman & Forgue, 10th Edition
The Millionaire Mind, Stanley, Thomas J.
By Appointment
3
Course Description:
Discussion and analysis of problems relating to financial independence. Budgeting, personal tax
concerns, cash and savings investments, real estate, financial institutions and borrowing, insurance,
investing, retirement programs, and estate planning are covered for real world applications
Student Learning Outcomes
Measurement
Students will demonstrate a basic knowledge
of introductory finance concepts.
Quizzes, Final exam,
Home Work Assignments,
and Case Studies
Students will identify and apply basic knowledge
of finance principles to analyze real world cases.
Quiz #1, Home Work
and Case Studies
Students will describe the environment in which
business operates and discuss how business meets
the challenges presented to it.
Quiz #2, Home Work,
and Case Studies
Students will be able to transfer knowledge of Finance
Principles to their personal lives enabling an ability to
resolve problems and questions as they arise.
Application of Financial
Principles in Home Work
Assignments, Case Studies,
and Discussions and
the Final Exam.
Students will use finance-related Web resources
to report current events, career opportunities,
and entrepreneurship updates to the class.
Current events
Assignments, quizzes, tests, and reports must be submitted before the posted closing dates. You will not
be able to submit late assignments in this course. A LATE ASSIGNMENT IS A MISSED
ASSIGNMENT AND RECEIVES NO CREDIT! All assignments, quizzes, tests and reports must be
submitted via WebCampus. DO NOT E-MAIL YOUR ASSIGNMENTS TO ME. All assignments,
quizzes, tests, and reports have submission dates posted. I cannot extend the closing dates. Check your
E-mail frequently. I will E-mail changes and updates to everyone in the class. I CANNOT RE-OPEN
A CLOSED QUIZ, EXAM OR ASSIGNMENT AFTER THE DUE DATE.
To learn the most from this course you should follow these learning steps for each chapter:
1. Read the Chapter Learning Goals.
2. View the PowerPoint slides for a chapter overview. (Some students print out the slides and use them
as a note taker when they read the chapter.) (If available)
3. Listen to the chapter audio. (if available)
4. Read the assigned Chapter in your text. Take notes on the topics for future study and review.
5. Attend and participate in class (if available).
6. If you have questions, ask them in class or post them on the Discussion Board. I will try to answer
them as promptly as possible.
7. Complete the assignments for the chapter before the closing date.
8. Read the chapter Business Etiquette section.
9. Complete all major exams before the close date.
10. Submit all written assignments before the close date. Carefully follow all of the assignment
instructions.
Course Outline:
Week 1
Reading:
Case Study:
Homework:
Chapter 1, Understanding Personal Finance
Chapter 1, Case 1, Reasons to study Personal Finance
Chapter 1, LTAI, Questions 2 and 4
Week 2
Reading:
Chapter 2. Career Planning
Chapter 3, Financial Statements, Tools and Budgets
Chapter 2, Case 2, Career Promotion Opportunity
Chapter 3, Case 3, A Couple Create an Educational Savings Plan
Chapter 2, LTAI, 2 and 4
Chapter 3, LTAI 3 and 5
Case Study:
Homework:
Week 3
Reading:
Case Study:
Homework:
Chapter 4, Managing Income Taxes
Chapter 4, Case 5, The Johnsons Calculate Their Income Tax
Chapter 4, LTAI, 2 and 3
Week 4
Reading:
Chapter 5, Managing Checking and Savings Accounts
Chapter 6, Building and Maintaining Good Credit
Chapter 5, Case 2, Deciding Among the Tools of Monetary Asset
Management
Chapter 6, Case 4, Victor and Maria Advise Their Niece
Chapter 5, LTAI 1 and 2
Chapter 6, LTAI 2 and 3
Case Study:
Homework:
Week 5
Review:
Quiz:
Review Chapters 1 through 6, Prepare for Quiz 1.
Major Quiz on Chapters 1 through 6, inclusive
Week 6
Reading:
Case Study:
Homework:
Chapter 7, Credit Cards and Consumer Loans
Chapter 7, Case 4, The Johnsons’ Credit Questions
Chapter 7, LTAI, 1 and 4
Week 7
Reading:
Chapter 8, Vehicle and Other Major Purchases
Chapter 9, Obtaining Affordable Housing
Chapter 8, Case 2, A Dispute over New-Car Repairs
Chapter 9, Case 2, Emma Chooses Among Alternative Mortgage Options
Chapter 8, LTAI 1 and 3
Chapter 9, LTAI 3 and 6
Case Study:
Homework:
Week 8
Reading:
Case Study:
Homework:
Chapter 10, Managing Property and Liability Risk
Chapter 10, Case 4, An Argument about the Value of Insurance
Chapter 10, LTAI 1 and 4
Week 9
Reading:
Chapter 11, Managing Health Expenses
Chapter 12, Life Insurance Planning
Chapter 11, Case 2, A CPA Selects a Health Care Plan
Chapter 12, A Married Couple with Children Address Their Life
Insurance Needs
Chapter 11, LTAI 1 and 2
Chapter 12, LTAI 1 and 3
Case Study:
Homework:
Week 10
Review:
Quiz:
Chapters 7 through 12, Prepare for Quiz 2
Major Quiz on Chapters 7 through 12 inclusive
Week 11
Reading:
Case Study:
Homework:
Chapter 13, Investment Fundamentals
Chapter 13, Case 2, A First-Time Investor Gets a Head Start
Chapter 13, LTAI 2 and 6
Week 12
Reading:
Case Study:
Homework:
Chapter 14, Investing in Stocks and Bonds
Chapter 15, Inventing Through Mutual Funds
Chapter 14, Case 3, An Aggressive Investor Seeks Rewards in the Bond
Market
Chapter 15, Case 2, Selection of a Mutual Fund as Part of a Retirement
Plan
Chapter 14, LTAI 5 and 9
Chapter 15, LTAI 4 and 6
Week 13
Reading:
Case Study:
Homework:
Chapter 16, Real Estate and High-Risk Investments
Chapter 16, Case 1, Real Estate of Stocks?
Chapter 16, LTAI 1 and 3
Week 14
Reading:
Chapter 17, Retirement Planning
Chapter 18, Estate Planning
Chapter 17, Case 3, Deciding How to Invest Retirement Money
Chapter 18, Case 1, A Couple Considers the Ramifications of Dying
Intestate
Chapter 17, LTAI 1 and 3
Chapter 18, LTAI 1 and 2
Case Study:
Homework:
Week 15
Class Report: Reports on “The Millionaire Mind” due this week
Review:
Chapters 1 through 18, Prepare for Final Exam
Week 16
Exam:
Final Exam, Chapters 13 through 18
NOTE: Weekly assignments are due NLT midnight Saturday of the week assigned, i.e. Week 1
assignments are due No Later Than Saturday Midnight, September 3rd..
Class Report:
For a class report you are to read the book, “The Millionaire Mind” and do a one page summary of the
book, then choose any two chapters in the book and do a two page synopsis for each of the two chapters
you have selected. The report will be 1 and ½ spaced, times new roman, 12 point. You will need to put
a cover page on your report. This report is due the second session of week 14.
Method of Instruction:
Emphasis is placed upon lecture and participation in discussion of assigned reading, quizzes, and exams.
Periodicals and Magazines:
Wall Street Journal, Advertising Age
Sales and Marketing Management, Business Week
Consultation:
Any student needing assistance should consult with the instructor for an appropriate time.
Evaluation:
Grades will be determined on the following basis:
1. Homework
20 points per Chapter
2. Major Quizzes
150 points per quiz
3. Class Report
5. Instructor’s Prerogative
TOTAL
360 Points
450 Points
160 Points
30 Points
1000 Points
There are NO extra credit assignments in this course. There are NO make-up assignments in this
course.
Final Grade:
Grade Grade Point Value Percent
A
4.0
95 - 100
A3.7
90 - 94
B+
3.3
87 - 89
B
3.0
83 - 86
B2.7
80 - 82
C+
2.3
77 - 79
C
2.0
73 - 76
C1.7
70 - 72
D+
1.3
67 - 69
D
1.0
63 - 66
D0.7
60 - 63
F
0
Below 60
W = Withdrawal up to the 13th week with Instructor consent.
Policy of Academic Integrity:
GBC subscribes to the traditional policy of academic integrity: Students are expected be honest. That
means that students are expected to do their own work. In work that utilizes sources written by others,
those sources must be given credit for exact words and ideas. Students who plagiarize (copy the work of
others and pass it off as their own.) are violating the standards of intellectual honesty and are subject to
punishments ranging from failing the assignment to dismissal from the institution. Students who assist
other students to cheat or plagiarize are subject to the same disciplinary measures. See page 27 - 31 of
the GBC General Catalog 2005 – 2007. For additional information read the article on plagiarism at the
end of this syllabus.
Course Adaptations:
If you need any course adaptations based on physical or emotional concerns, or if you need any special
assistance in case of building evacuations/emergencies, please let me now at your earliest convenience.
The instructor reserves the right to modify the course requirements, assignments, grading
procedures, and other related policies as circumstances may dictate.