UNION COUNTY COLLEGE

SYLLABUS 

BUS-115-077      PERSONAL FINANCE     3 CREDITS

TEXTBOOKS:

Be sure to get the telecourse text PERSONAL FINANCE; Seventh Edition, Kapoor, Jack R.; Dlabay, Les R.; and Hughes, Robert J.; Irwin/McGraw-Hill, 2004.

Included in the package will be the TELECOURSE STUDENT GUIDE  to accompany  DOLLAR$ & SENSE, PERSONAL FINANCE FOR THE 21ST CENTURY,  Third Edition,  by  Rod Davis, Irwin/McGraw-Hill, 2004;  and the PERSONAL FINANCIAL PLANNER by Les Dlabay.   The website for the publisher is:

http://www.mhhe.com/kdh6e

PURCHASING TEXTBOOKS:

The UCC bookstore will have the telecourse package you need for the course.  Other bookstores or online book companies probably will not be able to supply you with this special package.

Books are available in the Cranford campus bookstore or may be ordered from the bookstore by calling (908) 709-7619 or (908)709-7485.   Major credit cards are accepted.  Books can be ordered on the Internet.   Visit www.uccbookstore.com and order your textbooks through ecampus.com.  Be sure to check the bookstore hours before coming to Cranford Campus.

OBTAINING VIDEO TAPES:

The video tapes are titled DOLLAR$ & SENSE:   PERSONAL FINANCE  FOR THE 21st CENTURY.  The tapes correspond to the information in the textbook.   There are 26 half-hour video programs which offer insights into key concepts and principles in personal finance through a focus on human experiences.  A $50.00 deposit is required to rent the video tapes  for the semester.  A VCR Tape Player is needed.  Click on Telecourse Information Sheet on my website for more information. 

Following are the procedures for obtaining videotapes:

1. Go to Student Accounts (McDonald Hall) and give them a $50.00 deposit.   They will provide a "Telecourse Video Tape Order Form"  for you to fill out.
   
2. Take the "Telecourse Video Tape Order Form" to the Media Center and pick up your tapes.
   
3. When finished with the videotapes, return them to the Media Center.  They will give you a receipt for the returned videotapes.
   
4. Take that receipt to Student Accounts, and they will refund you the $50.00 deposit.

ALC AND LIBRARY HOURS, CRANFORD:

Monday through Thursday, 8:30 a.m.-10:00 p.m.

Friday, 8:30 a.m.-9:00 p.m.

Saturday, 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

CATALOG DESCRIPTION:  

This course is designed to give a practical introduction to personal finance.  It addresses realistic ways to manage personal assets effectively.  Topics covered include the economy; working, planning, and budgeting; sensible shopping and spending; avoiding fraud and swindles; buying, ensuring and financing a car; buying and selling a home; housing costs and regulations; renting a home; banking services; credit and borrowing; investments in stocks, mutual funds and real estate; life, health and income insurance; retirement and estate planning; and income tax.

GRADING:

Your final grade will be determined as follows:

FINAL GRADING:  90-100 = A, 87-89 = B+, 80-86 =  B,

77=79 = C+, 70-76 = C, 67-69 = D+, 60-66 = D, Below 60 = F

SUGGESTIONS FOR STUDYING THE COURSE:

1. Read the chapter in the textbook and complete the assignments in the student guide at about the same time that you watch the video programs every week. 
   
2. Follow the directions at the beginning of each lesson in the STUDENT TELECOURSE GUIDE.   For example, see page 3.
   
3. After you have studied the chapters, complete the sample quizzes provided by the Professor.  The answers are provided.  These do not have to be returned to the professor.
   
4. Attend one orientation period, two review sessions, and the midterm and final exam session.
   
5. Students are encouraged to ask questions on any matters that are not clear to them.

MEETING DATES:

The meeting day will be Saturday, in H-216, UCC Cranford Campus.

Orientation                                                    Saturday, 12:30-1:30          September 9

Make-up Orientation                                    Saturday, 12:30-1:30           September 16

Optional Midterm Exam Review                  Saturday, 12:30-1:30          October 21

Required Midterm Exam                            Saturday, 9-11:30 a.m.      October 28                                                                                       or 12:00 noon.-2:30 p.m.

-No books, notes or other supplemental
materials can be used.
-Multiple Choice and short essay questions
-Chapters 1 through 9 in the text
-Video Lessons 1 through 13 
-Bring your Telecourse Student Guide                             

Optional Final Exam Review                         Saturday, 12:30-1:30         December 9

The last day for Research Papers to be
submitted.                                                                                                      December 9

Required Final Exam                                   Saturday, 9-11:30 a.m.      December 16                                                                            or 12:00 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

-No books, notes or other supplemental
materials can be used.
-Multiple Choice and short essay questions
-Chapters 10 through 19 in the text
-Video Lessons 14 through 26
-Bring your Telecourse Student Guide                               

COURSE  OBJECTIVES

At the completion of this course, the student will be able to:

1.        Plan personal finances.

2.        Discuss the financial aspects of career planning.

3.        Explain money management strategy.

4.        Discuss tax strategy.

5.        Discuss savings plans and payment accounts.

6.        Explain consumer credit and choose a source of credit..

7.        Discuss consumer purchasing strategies and legal protection.

8.        Describe the housing decision.

9.        Explain home, automobile, health, disability, and life insurance.

10.  Discuss investing in stocks, bonds, mutual funds, real estate, and other investments.

11.  Demonstrate knowledge of the need for retirement planning and estate planning.

SKILLS FOR LIVING GOALS: 

Skills for living are intended to provide a framework for the general education that every informed person needs to function effectively in a changing world.  This  course provides opportunities to:

1.  Become more computer literate than before taking the course.

2.   Be able to explore the Internet and access the library resources to find  information and to use that information in a meaningful way.

3.   Develop critical thinking skills.

4.   Build team skills by cooperative learning projects.

5.   Research different careers and make an informed decision about future goals in life.

6.   Improve written and oral communication skills.

7.   Be aware of cultural diversity and understanding and be tolerant of other cultures and views.

8.   Develop realistic attitudes for coping with change in an ever-changing technological world.

9.   Improve business  vocabulary.

    10.   Realize that learning is a lifetime endeavor.