Personal Finance

PRFN100 — Personal Finance, 3.0 hours

Description

This course is designed to introduce students to the basic terminology, concepts, and practices of personal finance. It will introduce the concepts of managing personal finances; inflation and recession; tax problems; insurance; annuities; credit; budgeting; financial planning; homeownership; bank accounts; investments; and social insurance programs. Further it will provide the foundation needed to understand and discuss the “language” of routine financial activities, and provide a solid foundation for future studies.

Program Objectives

  1. Discuss financial planning within the financial planning process
  2. Identify the role and psychology of money
  3. Describe the Life Cycle of Financial Planning
  4. Construct personal income and expense statement to measure financial performance over a given time period
  5. Identify consumer credit and how it correlates to financial plans
  6. Recognize retirement planning as a key element in personal financial and estate planning

Professor

Professor

Dr. DeSouza is committed to providing outstanding service, academic based guidance, and thoughtful planning. She is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and has been a Financial Advisor and wealth manager for over 10 years. She comes with a great deal of experience working with a variety of financial firms. Some noteworthy work includes published research and white paper on “Evaluating the Factors that Drive the U.S. Stock Market Crashes.”

Currently assigned to the NY Air National Guard, Dr. DeSouza is most passionate about working with military members, teaching, motivating, and guiding military members towards the objective of achieving required financial outcome. Outside of work she enjoys attending musical events, social gatherings, and sharing quality time with her beautiful 22-year-old daughter.

Online Support (IT) and Moodle Navigation

Online Support (IT) and Moodle Navigation:

All members of the Lakewood College community who use the College’s computing, information or communication resources must act responsibly. Support is accessible by calling 1-800-517-0857 option 2 or by emailing info@lakewoodcollege.edu

Books and Resources

Books and Resources

Billingsley, R., Gitman, L. J., & Joehnk, M. D. (2019). PFIN (7th ed.). Cengage Learning US.

Evaluation Method

Evaluation Method

Graded work will receive a numeric score reflecting the quality of performance.
Course Requirement Summary

  • Assignments - Total of 80 Points
  • Weekly discussion forums-Total of 80 Points
  • Midterm quiz - 20 Points
  • Final Exam - 50 Points

 

Grading Scale

Grading Scale

Graded work will receive a numeric score reflecting the quality of performance as given above in evaluation methods. The maximum number of points a student may earn is 190. To determine the final grade, the student's earned points are divided by 190.

Your overall course grade will be determined according to the following scale:

A = (90% -100%)
B = (80% - 89%)
C = (70% - 79%)
D = (60% - 69%)
F < (Below 60%)

Writing Assignment Grading Rubric

Assignment and Discussion Forum Post Rubrics

Writing Assignment Grading Rubric

Points

Excellent
10-9 pts

Good
8-6 pts

Poor
5-3 pts

Very Poor
2-1 pts

No Response
0 pts

Original Posting

____/10

Writing assignment was well thought out, coherent, and thoughtfully organized with all parts of the questions addressed along with appropriate

grammar and spelling

Writing was clear and relatively well organized and responded to many/most of the key points with a few mistakes in regard to grammar and spelling

Writing was somewhat confusing and not well organized and had little or no focus on the subject matter with significant grammar and spelling errors

Writing is confusing and hard to follow with no organization while missing the point of the assignment entirely

No Assignment

Total Points

____/10

Additional Comments:

Discussion Question Grading Rubric

Discussion Question Grading Rubric

Points

Excellent Pass

Good Pass

Poor Fail

No Response Fail

Original Posting

PASS/FAIL

Original post reflected good focus to the discussion with well thought out ideas and appropriate grammar and spelling

Original post responded to the topic in a general fashion but failed to organize them well and had a few mistakes in regard to grammar and spelling

Responded with little or no focus to the discussion and contained short, irrelevant and/or confusing commentary with significant grammar and spelling errors

No posting

Reply to fellow student

PASS/FAIL

Response to fellow student reflected good focus to the post with well thought out ideas and appropriate grammar and spelling

Response to fellow student in a general fashion but failed to organize them well and had a few mistakes in regard to grammar and spelling

Little or no focus to the post and contained short, irrelevant and/or confusing commentary with significant grammar and spelling errors

No posting

Total Points

PASS/FAIL

Additional Comments:

Academic Integrity/ Plagiarism

Academic Integrity/ Plagiarism:

Cheating (dishonestly taking the knowledge of another person whether on a test or an assignment and presenting it as your work) and plagiarism (to take and pass off as one's own the ideas or writing of another) are a serious issue. While it is legitimate to talk to others about your assignments and incorporate suggestions, do not let others "write" your assignments in the name of peer review or "borrow" sections or whole assignments written by others. We do get ideas from life experiences and what we read but be careful that you interpret these ideas and make them your own.

I am aware that many types of assignments are available on the internet and will check these sources when there is legitimate suspicion.

Penalty is a zero on the assignment. In cases where there is a major or continuous breach of trust, further discipline, such as an "F" in the course, may be necessary.

The major consequence of any form of cheating is damage to your character and the result of trust and respect.

Disability Accommodations

Disability Accommodations

Students who have a disability and wish to request an academic accommodation should contact Jim Gepperth, the Disabilities Services Coordinator and Academic Dean. The student can request an accommodation at any time although it is encouraged to do so early in the enrollment process. The student should complete an accommodation request form which begins a conversation between the school and the student regarding the nature of their disability and an accommodation that would help the student succeed in their program. The school may request documentation regarding the disability to address the accommodation request effectively. The school will communicate to the student the type of accommodation arranged. This process typically follows a team approach, bringing together persons from the academic department (including the instructor) and personnel from other departments as necessary. Additional information on disability accommodations may be found in the Lakewood University Catalog.

Disability Services Email: disabilityservices@lakewood.edu

Supplemental Texts

Supplemental Texts

You can use the following resources to assist you with proper source citation. 

American Psychological Association Style Guide- https://www.mylakewoodu.com/pluginfile.php/118179/mod_resource/content/1/APA%20Style%20Guide%207th%20edition.pdf

The Purdue OWL website is also a helpful resource for students. Here is a link to the OWL website: https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/apa_style/apa_formatting_and_style_guide/general_format.html

Library

Library

 

Mary O'Dell is the Librarian on staff at Lakewood University

She is available by appointment. You can make an appointment with her by emailing her at modell@lakewood.edu or call at 1-800-517-0857 X 730

You may also schedule a meeting at this link: https://my.setmore.com/calendar#monthly/r3a761583354923270/01032020

She can assist you with navigating LIRN, research, citations etc.

Support

Support

Each student at Lakewood University is assigned a Success Coach. Your Success Coach exists to assist you with academic and supportive services as you navigate your program. They will reach out to you, often, to check-in. Please use the resources they offer.

Student Services is available to assist with technical questions regarding Lakewood University and all services available to you.

1-800-517-0857 option 2
info@lakewood.edu
studentservices@lakewood.edu

Career Services

Career Services

Students are offered Career Services at any point as they journey their academics at Lakewood University.

1-800-517-0857 option 2
careerservices@lakewood.edu

Objectives

Objectives
  1. Discuss financial planning within the financial planning process
  2. Identify the role and psychology of money
  3. Describe the Life Cycle of Financial Planning
  4. Construct personal income and expense statement to measure financial performance over a given time period
  5. Identify consumer credit and how it correlates to financial plans
  6. Recognize retirement planning as a key element in personal financial and estate planning

Lessons

Lessons
Title
Lesson #1
Course Topic
  • This lesson covers the financial planning process as well as identifying financial statements and plans
Readings/Assignments

Study Course Syllabus
Read Chapters 1 & 2
Participate in the Discussion Forum
Complete Assignment(s)
Lesson Evaluation

Due

Assignment(s) due upon completion of the lesson.

Objectives
Objective 1
Objective 2
Title
Lesson #2
Course Topic
  • This lesson identifies how to prepare taxes, manage cash and savings, and how to make proper automobile and house decisions.
Readings/Assignments

Read Chapters 3, 4, 5
Participate in 2 Discussion Forums Complete Assignment(s)
Lesson Evaluation

Due

Discussions due upon completion of this lesson. 

Objectives
Objective 3
Objective 4
Objective 5
Title
Lesson #3
Course Topic
  • This lesson covers how to use credit and consumer loans.
Readings/Assignments

Read Chapters 6 & 7
Participate in the Discussion Forum
Complete Assignment(s)
Lesson Evaluation

Due

Assignment due upon completion of the lesson

Objectives
Objective 2
Objective 4
Objective 5
Title
Lesson #4
Course Topic
  • This lesson covers health and life insurance
Readings/Assignments

Read Chapters 8 & 9
Midterm
Lesson Evaluation

Due

Midterm due upon completion of the lesson

Objectives
Objective 2
Objective 3
Objective 4
Objective 5
Title
Lesson #5
Course Topic
  • This lesson identifies how to protect property and the importance of investment planning.
Readings/Assignments

Read Chapters 10 & 11
Participate in 2 Discussion Forums
Complete Assignment(s)
Lesson Evaluation

Due

Assignment(s) due upon completion of this lesson. 

Objectives
Objective 2
Objective 3
Objective 4
Objective 5
Title
Lesson #6
Course Topic
  • This lesson covers investing in stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and real estate.
Readings/Assignments

Read Chapters 12 & 13
Participate in the Discussion Forum
Complete Assignment(s)
Lesson Evaluation

Due

Assignment(s) due upon completion of the lesson.

Objectives
Objective 2
Objective 3
Objective 4
Objective 5
Title
Lesson #7
Course Topic
  • This lesson outlines how to plan for retirement and preserving real estate.
Readings/Assignments

Read Chapters 14 & 15
Participate in the Discussion Forum
Complete Assignment(s)
Lesson Evaluation

Due

Assignment(s) due upon completion of the lesson.

Objectives
Objective 1
Objective 2
Objective 3
Objective 4
Objective 5
Objective 6
Title
Lesson #8
Course Topic

Fianl Exam

Readings/Assignments

Complete the Final Exam
Request the Next Course
Lesson Evaluation
THANKS FOR A GREAT CLASS

Due

Final exam due upon completion of the lesson.

Overview

Course

Course

Contact Information

Contact Information

E-mail: jdesouza@lakewood.edu
Cell Phone: 800-517-0857 X 735