FIN 269 Syllabus

FIN 269 Personal Finance

Policies and Procedures

Spring 2005 online

Reynolds Griffith
Office: BUS 392o

Office hours: I will not have regular oncampus office hours since I am teaching only web courses.
Virtual office hours (email checked & replied frequently): MTThF 8:30-9:30 A.M, W 12:00-1:00P.M.
(This means you should get a reply to any email question no later than the end of the next virtual
office hours.)

Office phone: 468-1883 Home phone: 940-898-0101 (please do not call after 9:00 pm)
E-mail: RGRIFFITH@SFASU.EDU
Web home page: titan.sfasu.edu/~F_Griffith/
Fax: 936-468-1447

Text: Personal Finance by Garman & Forgue, 7th Edition

See outline and Assignments for topics and reading assignments, including additional online material.

EXAMS. There will be two hour exams plus the final. Each of these exams will be weighted equally. The exams will be given on campus at an announced time and place. If you are not within easy driving distance of Nacogdoches, you may arrange for a proctored exam in your locality. Contact me at least a week before the exam to work out the details and get the forms sent to the proctor. Exams are returned after grading (bring a stamped addressed envelope with 2oz postage). Exams are a combination of short answer and discussion questions, problems, definitions, and multiple choice questions. Bring a Scantron form and notebook paper for each exam. Each exam is partially comprehensive. Sample exams are on reserve in the Library. Sample exams should not be used as the primary study guide - use the outlines & objectives.

Attendance at exams is required. An unexcused absence from an exam will result in an F for that exam. An absence is considered excused only if you were in the hospital or had some equally drastic reason for not being present. (Less stringent standards are used if advance arrangements are made with the instructor.)

PROBLEMS will count 10% of your semester's grade. The lowest score will be dropped in calculating your problem average. Problems should be emailed or faxed (or mailed) to get to me by the due date. A penalty may be assessed for problems turned in late. You will not receive any credit for a problem turned in after it is returned to the class and the solution is posted. Your calculations or reasoning should always be clearly shown. Problems are very important - if you can work problems related to the material, this helps to show that you understand it well enough to use it in your own finances. Participation in the email discussion list will count as two problems. Note that the problems (including Problem A) are front-loaded - that is, a more than proportionate part of them is due early in the semester.

It is also important to study reading assignments by the assigned date. Begin by looking at the objectives and detailed outline for the section (suggestion: print these out to keep by you as guides for your study). Next, read the chapter preview and mark any updates or corrections in your text. Study the definitions for the section. Then read the assigned pages in the text or the online reading material. If there are points that are not clear, post questions on them.

If you need course adaptations or accommodations please make an appointment with me as soon as possible.

FIN 269 Personal Finance

Topic Outline
& Reading Assignments

(subject to revision )

Detailed outlines & objectives will be provided for each Part

PART I Financial Decision Making and its Environment
    1. Planning and Decision Making pp3-7 & 14-22 of Ch 1, Ch 2, pp64-67 of Ch 3, Appendix A, & interest book
    2. Thinking About the Future    Thinking About the Future handout
    3. Analyzing the Economy    pp7-14 of Ch 1 & handout
    4. Understanding Taxes   Ch 4 & tax update

Part II Spending
    1. Planning Spending    Ch 3 & pp41-44 of Ch 2
    2. Current Spending    pp 133-46 of Ch 5
    3. Major Purchases   Ch 8
    4. Buying on Credit    Ch 6, Ch7
    5. Housing    Ch 9

PART III Protecting Against Risks
    1. Introduction to Handling Risk    pp 281-91 of Ch 10
    2. Risks from Owning Property    Ch 10
    3. Risks of Illness    Ch 11
    4. The Risk of Death    Ch 12
    5. Emergencies and Uninsurable Risks    pp 145-51 of Ch 5 & handout

Part IV Attaining Financial Goals
    1. Investment Principles and Decision Making   Ch 13
    2. Arrangements for Investing    Ch 15 & Ch 16
    3. Investing in Stocks   pp 413-27 of Ch 14 & handout Part I & Part II
    4. Fixed Dollar Instruments   pp 151-55 of Ch 5 & pp 427-40 of Ch 14
    5. Real Estate and Other Tangibles  pp503-14 of Ch 17

Part V Other Planning Topics
1. Planning for Old Age pp24-27 & Ch 18
2. Estate Planning pp554-60 of Ch 18

Part VI A Comprehensive Financial Strategy handout

FIN 269 Personal Finance

Policies and Procedures

FIN 269 Personal Finance

Topic Outline & Reading Assignments

Topic Outline
& Reading Assignments