Investments Syllabus for 2025-2026
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Instructor Information

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. The use of Generative Artificial Intelligence on specific assignments is at the discretion of the instructor.

Title IX and Sexual Misconduct Reporting

Amarillo College prohibits discrimination and harassment based on sex, including sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking, under Title IX and Texas Education Code §51.253–255. Faculty and staff are mandatory reporters and must share any related concerns with the Title IX Coordinator at titleix@actx.edu. Reports and additional information are available at https://www.actx.edu/hr/title-ixtitle-ix. Confidential counseling and advocacy services are available through the Counseling Center and Advocacy & Resource Center.

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

Amarillo College is committed to providing equal access to all programs and services, including all working, learning, and service environments that affect equal access for persons with disabilities. This commitment to provide equal access and opportunity for persons with disabilities is in compliance with federal and state law. Amarillo College also strives to provide Electronic and Information Resources (EIR) that are accessible to all authorized users.

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.

Statement for Mental Health and Advocacy & Resource Center:

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 Resources Student 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-26spr2-busa-1313-001-investments-web

*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

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

Technology issues are not acceptable reasons for the submission of late assignments. Students must have access to the internet and a computer. The Underground on the Washington Street Campus may be utilized if necessary. 

Zoom is an online meeting tool available to you (we will also be using this tool when any or all of you meet with me). You can sign up for a free Basic Zoom account. Basic accounts have the same features and functionality as a Pro account except for the time limit. At around 40 mins, the meeting will automatically end. If that happens, you can simply log back into a new meeting if more time is needed. Zoom support is pretty robust. If you have questions about how to use Zoom go to their Support page.

AI

As artificial intelligence becomes more prevalent in our daily lives, it is crucial for students to understand the ethical considerations surrounding its use in academic settings. In this course, students are expected to use AI in a manner which upholds the values of academic integrity. In general, the use of AI should never compromise development in critical thinking, research, and analysis. Along that line, the use of AI to generate content, manipulate the tone of work, create data, or summarize/shorten an author’s work for quicker consumption is considered academic dishonesty and strictly prohibited.

Alternatively, students are encouraged towards using AI to assist in research and writing process in ways which encourage the learning process and mitigate menial tasks. For example, students may use AI to create a table to help visualize complex data, develop personalized learning and reading plans, and assist in correcting grammar and spelling errors.

Please note that any unethical use of AI in this course will be considered academic dishonesty and may result in disciplinary action. Students are responsible for ensuring that their use of AI is in compliance with the course policies on academic integrity.

Learning Activities

Currently, we are all expected to interact, work, and learn with people from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds and lifestyles. Therefore, the students in this course are expected to be inclusive and respectful of differences and act accordingly when participating in class activities and discussions.  

 At all times practice good conversation and dialogue skills and exercise the rules of decorum.

All course participants will share the responsibility for the content, process, and outcomes of learning. Students are expected to actively participate in class discussions and activities and will on occasion be responsible for presenting or leading class discussions as described in the course assignments section of this syllabus.

Learning activities may include lectures, guest speakers, fieldwork, required reading, class learning exercises, class discussions, written assignments, interviews, student presentations, and Internet resources.

Establishing a Safe, Respectful Classroom Environment 

Learning takes place best when a safe environment is established in the learning environment. I will seek to support an environment that nurtures individual and group differences, encourages engaged, honest discussions, and allows us to communicate across differences. I also hope that together we create a safe environment where everyone feels comfortable sharing and exploring ideas. In the course of class discussions, it is quite possible that disagreements will arise. I welcome disagreements in the spirit of critical academic exchange, but please be respectful of other points of view, whether you agree with them or not. In this class, derogatory comments based on race, ethnicity, class, gender, sexual orientation, or nationality will not be tolerated. Therefore,

• Everyone gets a fair hearing.
• Seek first to understand, then to be understood.
• Share “air time.”
• If you are offended, say so, and say why.
• Honest disagreements in the spirit of critical academic exchange are encouraged. While you can disagree, don’t personalize it; stick to the issues. No name-calling or stereotyping.

Derogatory comments based on race, ethnicity, class, gender, sexual orientation, or nationality will not be tolerated.

• Speak for yourself, not others.
• One person speaks at a time.
• What we say stays here, unless we agree to change that. What we learn here, though, we can share with others.

Adapted from The Guide for training study circle facilitators (1998) by the Study Circle Resource Center, © Topsfield Foundation

Quality of Work and Expectations

All written work submitted must:

• Be of professional quality, neatly presented, grammatically correct, and free of spelling and punctuation errors. 
• Be on time. Late work is not accepted.

E-Mail Communication

Please send an email message to the course instructor directly if your concern is of a personal nature. Sending email messages through the Blackboard site will ensure that the course number is included in the subject line of your message; if for any reason it is not, please begin the subject line of your message with the course number (HRPO 1311-001). You can also email classmates using the email function in Blackboard, but be aware that recipients of your message will not see the names of other recipients, and you will not be able to make a group reply.

I will email you through Blackboard, so messages will go to your Amarillo College email account. You should make a point to check your university account daily while you are enrolled in this course as well as check announcements in Blackboard. 

Email Response Time

Generally, I will respond to emails within two working days of receiving them. Please know that responses on weekends may be limited and will be made on an as-available basis, so try to anticipate questions for your weekend work in advance. Notification will be provided if I will not be available by computer for more than two working days. Also, please reply to emails received from your professor promptly. 

Amarillo College Policy

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 dishonestly 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 

SUBMITTING ASSIGNMENTS

The “Assignments” section in Blackboard will serve as a central place for you to submit weekly activities. Please include your name and date in the file name for any attachments. Use general titles in the file name like “week 1 assignment” or “interview” in the filename, versus descriptive titles you may use on a title page.  Assignments will not be accepted via email. Submit all assignments as an attachment in a Word Document in the assignments tab in Blackboard. 

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 Wednesday
• Reply Posts,150-200 word minimum, due at 11:30 pm on Sunday of each week; you must reply to at least 2 other student's discussion boards by Sunday 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

Additional Information

First Day of Class         March 23, 2026

Census Day                  March 30, 2026

Last Day to Withdraw    May 5, 2026