Investments Syllabus for 2024-2025
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Instructor Information

Office Hours

Office Hours - Term: 2025 Spring 2

 

OFFICE HOURS: 

In person walk-in hours are Tuesdays from  12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. No appointment needed. 

Virtual office hours are available for all students in online and hybrid courses. These are very flexible and I am available whenever you need me as I know your class, work, and family obligations vary. You can email me to set up a time to visit over the phone, via Google Meet, or in person, we can schedule a mutually convenient time. 

EMAIL: 

Current students are expected to email me through your course in Blackboard.

Course Information

AI Statement

Collusion is defined as “the unauthorized collaboration with another person or by any other means, including artificial intelligence (AI) and computer translators, in preparing work for fulfillment of course requirements.” Using AI like (ChatGPT or Google Gemini) to create a document is considered colluding. <strong>The use of Generative Artificial Intelligence on specific assignments is at the discretion of the instructor. </strong>

COVID-19 Protocols

Recording Policy

Disability Statement

If you have a disability (learning, mental, physical) that affects your ability to participate effectively and have access to any program or service at Amarillo College please contact Disability Services at (806) 345-5639 . Our offices are located in the Enrollment Center, Suite 700. More information may be found at www.actx.edu/disability.
Disability Services facilitates access to all programs and services according to the ADA, Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, as well as other federal and state laws.

Amarillo College Web Accessibility Policy Statement

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If you find you are unable to access material in an accessible format please contact the Disability Services Office at (806) 345-5639 . This office will work in conjunction with other campus resources to address and accommodate your issue in a timely manner.

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As a student you may experience a range of issues that can cause barriers to learning, such as strained relationships, increased anxiety, alcohol/drug problems, feeling down, difficulty concentrating and/or lack of motivation. These mental health concerns or stressful events may lead to diminished academic performance or reduce a student's ability to participate in daily activities. Amarillo College offers services to assist you with addressing these and other concerns you may be experiencing. If you or someone you know are suffering from any of the aforementioned conditions, you can learn more about the broad range of confidential mental health services available on campus by calling the AC Counseling Center at 806-371-5900. The AC Counseling Center website is https://www.actx.edu/counseling/ . Also, if you are in need of social services (affordable housing, utilities, transportation, food, clothing, childcare, medical/dental/vision, legal), please call the AC Advocacy & Resource Center at 806-371-5439. The AC Advocacy & Resource Center website is https://www.actx.edu/arc

Amarillo College Tutoring for Success Policy:

Tutoring for Success applies to any student whose overall performance in the course falls below 75%. The instructor will create the task in the Student Engagement Portal (Watermark) to direct the student to the appropriate tutoring service, which may be faculty- or SI-led, discipline-specific, and/or general. The tutoring service assigned, the due date for when the tutoring must be completed, and the amount of tutoring required are at the discretion of the instructor. Additionally, the task will alert the student’s success team. Students who do not fulfill the assigned tutoring task may be subject to program- and course-specific penalties that could result in a grade reduction and/or in not being allowed to progress in the course until the tutoring requirement has been satisfied.

Administrative Drop Policy

Students who do not attend class on or prior to the census date will be administratively dropped. Effective Fall, 2016

Student Withdrawal Procedures

Students who wish to withdraw from a course must complete all steps indicated on the Academic Withdrawal Request form by the course withdrawal deadline.

NOTE: Students who are attending Texas institutions of higher education, for the first time fall 2007 and later, may not withdraw from more than six courses during their academic career. This withdrawal limitation does not include dual credit or developmental classes (Senate Bill 1231 Rule 4.10.) For more information on Drop and Withdrawal Policies, please visit the Registrar's Office Web site.

Privacy Statement

The Amarillo College Privacy Policy is found at https://www.actx.edu/-amarillo-college-privacy-notice , and applies to all Amarillo College students.  If you have questions about this privacy statement or you believe that your personal information has been released without your consent, send email to humanresources@actx.edu .

Course

BUSA-1313-001 Investments

Prerequisites

Course Description

An overview of the theory and mechanics of business investment decisions and management of business financial assets using quantitative management techniques. Topics include time value of money, cash flow, capital budgeting, sources of funds, break-even analysis and investment decisions.

Student ResourcesStudent Resources Website

Department Expectations

Occupational License Disclaimer

Notice to Students enrolled in an educational program for preparation of issuance of certain occupational licenses:

Students enrolled in an educational program in preparation for obtaining certain occupational licenses are potentially ineligible for such license if the student has been convicted of an offense. For further information, please contact:

Melodie Graves
Justice Involved Advocate
Student Service Center 117
mgraves24@actx.edu
806-371-5995
Make appointment at https://melodiegraves.youcanbook.me

You can also contact the Legal Clinic, or the faculty member in charge of the educational program that you seek to enroll in. The further information you will receive will include notification to you of your right to request a criminal history evaluation letter from the licensing authority in order to clarify your particular situation.

Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)

Class Type

Online Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Bodie’s Essentials of Investments with Connect, 12th edition ISBN# 9781266430411

This course does not require a physical book. All content is online. Students may purchase a discounted loose-leaf copy of the book if desired.  

https://connect.mheducation.com/class/r-mccampbell-25spr2-busa-1313-001-investments-online

*If you are not on financial aid, it is less expensive to use the link provided in the syllabus. 

Please email the Instructor with any questions. 

Supplies

Computer and Internet Access

Student Performance

Course Learning Outcomes:

1.      Identify and discuss terms related to investments including investment goals, common stocks, bonds, mutual funds, real estate, tax strategies, futures, commodities and life insurances.  SCANS* Information C5

2.      Identify and apply basic concepts and calculations to planning and control of investments by evaluating the managerial expertise of companies and the relationships to their stock offerings and stock valuation.  Methods include case studies, calculations of historical data and projected earnings.  SCANS* Thinking Skills F7, Systems C16

3.      Discuss analytical models used for financial decision-making including measuring the return on investments, stock valuation models, financial and market analysis.  SCANS* Information C5, Thinking Skills F7, Systems C15

4. Understands the critical nature of dynamic financial planning and impacts on potential financial success cause by world and market

Students Rights and Responsibilities

Student Rights and Responsibilities

Log in using the AC Connect Portal

In order to receive your AC Connect Email, you must log in through AC Connect at https://acconnect.actx.edu .

If you are an active staff or faculty member according to Human Resources, use "Exchange". All other students, use "AC Connect (Google) Email".

Expected Student Behavior

Expectations

Set up your eBook, McGraw-Hill Connect account at the beginning of the semester. Technology issues are not acceptable reasons for the submission of late assignments. Students must have access to the internet and a computer. The Student Center on the Washington Street Campus may be utilized if necessary. 

Assignments

 All content for this course is open; students may work ahead if they choose. Check Weekly Objectives (checklist) for weekly deadlines. 

Examinations

  • Exams are to be taken INDIVIDUALLY.  If a student is caught participating in group testing, he/she will automatically receive a "0" and will be subject to further disciplinary actions as outlined in the AC Students Rights & Responsibilities guidelines.

Plagiarism, Cheating and Individual Work Ethic

  • Amarillo College policies and Code of Student Conduct is strictly adhered to when dealing with plagiarism, cheating, and duplication of work product. Any evidence of plagiarism, cheating, or duplication of work product will result in a zero on the work in question.
  • A complete statement regarding scholastic dishonesty can be found in the Student Code of Conduct in the Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook at http://catalog.actx.edu/content.php?catoid=12&navoid=426
  • Please participate weekly in the posted discussions and completely the assignments timely.  Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated.  Any plagiarism or "group efforts" on assignments may result in a failing grade for the assignment or the course.

Grading Criteria

GRADING SCALE:

                           90-100%          A Excellent

                           80-90%            B Above Average, Very Good

                           70-80%            C Average, Good

                           60-70%            D Poor, but passing

                           Below 60%      F Failing

 

Students will be graded on the four periodic exams covering all 15 chapters of the text in addition to chapter assignments and discussion board responses.  The exams will each count for 10% of the student's grade and the quizzes and participation (discussion boards) will count for the final 60%.  One will benefit from this course relative to the amount of effort expended in his studies - failure to complete the assigned exercises will limit your comprehension of the material.  Assignments are posted for two weeks and the expectation is for students to complete the assignments in the two week window. All discussion boards, assignments and quizzes/exams are open for the entire course. Please plan ahead accordingly.

If a situation arises during the semester that inhibits your performance, please see me individually as soon as possible.  I am usually willing to explore alternate options that would result in successful completion of the course

DISCUSSION BOARD GUIDELINES

  • Every week you will be asked to reflect on the Discussion Board question(s) and post your contribution(s) to the topic(s) on the Discussion Board. Again, all discussion boards are open and you may work ahead. Your contribution to the topic(s) should be clear, complete and accurate. This assignment also requires that you read the answers posted by your classmates and each week respond.
  • For each Discussion Board assignment enter the appropriate Forum, read the posted questions and pick one to answer. Click on "Reply" and compose your answer. When you have finished writing your answer click on the "Submit" button at the bottom of the page. 
  • Initial Posts, 200-300 word minimum, due 11:30 pm Tuesday
  • Reply Posts,150-200 word minimum, due at 11:30 pm on Saturday of each week; you must reply to at least 2 other student's discussion boards by Saturday night at 11:30 pm. 
  • Include your name in the title of the post.
  • Late discussion responses and replies will receive NO credit. 
  • Early posting enables initial thoughts and aids in timely discussions.
  • Each discussion board has a value of 100 points. 
  • One (1) to twenty-five (25) points will be deducted if parts of the question are not answered or are not answered completely.

  • One (1) to twenty-five (25) points will be deducted if an answer is inaccurate, lackadaisical, unorganized, or inattentive

  • Points will be deducted if you fail to post an answer or fail to meet minimum word counts for posts. 

  • Please note, NO credit will be given for late postings.

  • Points, up to half, will be deducted for unclear, inaccurate, or inattentive; numerous errors in punctuation, spelling, grammar, and usage; or if minimum requirements are not met

Discussion Board Suggestions

  • To post to the Discussion Board, enter the "Discussion Board" area of the course.
  • Click on the title of the forum you want to enter. 
  • Make sure you check your answers for spelling and grammar. 
  • When ready to post your answer, click "Submit".
  • When ready to reply to a response by your classmate, go to the question in the forum and click on the answer of the person you want to reply to. (Do not click on the author's name or you will open an e-mail window.) The selected answer to the question will appear. Click on the "Reply" button in the lower right-hand corner and type or paste in your reply. Click "submit".
  • The Discussion Board is not an informal chat room. Your answers and replies should be thoughtful, considerate; collegiate language and grammar are expected. I recommend that you carefully compose your answers on a word processing program. Before posting your answers, check them for spelling and grammatical errors, save them, and then copy and paste them to the Discussion Board. It is important that you save your document in your word processing program before you paste it to the discussion board. You may use Google Doc, be sure to save as a Word Doc. 

Replying to the Postings of Your Classmates

  • In addition to writing your own answer each week you will compose a response to at least 2 answers posted by other students. In your replies to other students you can:
  • 1) Expand on or clarify a point made in the answer.
  • 2) Offer an additional argument to support a position taken in an answer.
  • 3) Suggest ways in which an idea could be more clearly expressed.
  • 4) Identify passages where you think the writer misunderstood a concept or applied it incorrectly.
  • 5) Disagree with a point or position made in an answer.
  • If you are disagreeing with the views of another student, please be constructive and respectful. You may criticize a position but not the author. Just writing "Your position on Enron stinks" will not do! State precisely the point you disagree with. (Make sure you have not misinterpreted the writer's position.) Offer reasons why you think their view is incorrect and support your position by citing the text or other sources.

A good answer or response will have some or all of the following features:

  • •There are virtually no errors in punctuation or spelling, grammar or usage.
  • •All parts of the question are completed answered.
  • •Sentences are smooth and carefully constructed.
  • •The words chosen are clear, accurate, and precise.
  • •Vague or ambiguous terms are clearly defined.
  • •The answer avoids triteness and unsupported generalizations.
  • •Use of supporting information is superior: the evidence clearly supports the positions and the evidence is sufficient and specific.
  • •The ideas reflect critical thinking and insight.
  • •There is some originality in the writer's response.
  • •The content has depth and substance.
  • •The answer or response holds the reader's interest.

*Students are to reflect thoughtfully and exchange ideas on the philosophical topics covered in this course. 

Attendance

Attendance Policy: Regular attendance is necessary for satisfactory achievement.  Therefore, it is the responsibility of the student to attend class.  Due to the inherent nature of the online classroom, a formal attendance will not be taken; however, timely completion of assignments will indicate to the instructor the time and effort put forth by the student.  Grades may be adjusted accordingly.

Calendar

Investments

Week 1:  Discussion Board, Orientation, Chapters 1, 2, & 3

Week 2: Chapters 4, 5, & 6, Discussion Board and Exam 1

Week 3: Chapters 7, 8, & 9,  Discussion Board, Exam 2

Week 4: Chapters 10, 11, & 12,  Discussion Board, Exam 3

Week 5: Chapter 13, 14, & 15, Discussion Board, Exam 4

Week 6: Chapters  16, 17, & 18, Discussion Board, Exam 5

Week 7: Chapters 19, 20, & 21, and 22, Exam 6

Week 8: Discussion Board, Comprehensive Exam

*Tentitative Schedule and subject to change; Please check weekly objectives

Additional Information

First Day of Class         March 17, 2025

Census Day                  March 24, 2025

Last Day to Withdraw    April 29, 2025

  

Syllabus Created on:

03/16/25 10:53 PM

Last Edited on:

03/16/25 11:04 PM