Financial Literacy Syllabus for 2022-2023
Return to Syllabus List

Instructor Information

Course Information

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 Student Service Center office 112. 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:

The Tutoring for Success policy applies to any student whose grade or performance in the course falls below a departmentally determined minimum threshold. In either of those cases, the instructor will direct the student to the appropriate tutoring service, which may be faculty-led, discipline-specific, and/or general. Under this policy, the instructor will follow specific departmental guidelines governing the use, duration, and grade component of the tutoring need.

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

BUSG-1404-001 Financial Literacy

Prerequisites

Course Description

A study of the financial principles when managing financial affairs. Includes topics such as budgeting, retirement, property ownership, savings, and investment planning.

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, 2 lab)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

(1) iCEV Course Access

• Personal Financial Literacy course
• includes course learning materials and a certification exam
• course is designed by the Texas Tech Center for Financial Responsibility
• this purchase will be made by the student, directly through the publisher, using a link provided in the course
• cost = $50

​​​​​

(2) Cengage Unlimited: e-Textbooks + online homework platforms

• access code for Cengage Unlimited
• specifically we will utilize a text named, Ilustrated Series Collection, Microsoft Office 365 and Excel 2021 Comprehensive
• this generic "Unlimited" code can be purchased from the AC Bookstore or directly from the publisher using a link provided in the course
• only 1 code is needed for 3 banking courses if taken in the same semester (Financial Literacy, Principles of Bank Operations, and Word Processing)
• your instructors in each of these 3 courses will walk you through the process of selecting the texts you need for each course
• cost = $125

 

Supplies

1. Binder to retain handouts and learning materials.
2. Pencils/pens for notetaking and in-class assignments.
3. Access to a computer with webcam and high-speed internet connection.
   • This technology is used to complete online and upload assignments in both Blackboard and iCEV learning management systems and to attend tutoring sessions via Zoom.
   • Computer labs are available on the Amarillo College campus if you need internet access, a webcam, or a computer.
4. Microsoft Excel (2019, 2021, or Microsoft 365) software running on a personal computer.
   • Free versions of spreadsheet software such as Google Sheets is not compatible with this course.
   • Monthly subscriptions to Microsoft 365 can be obtained for $6.99 (see link provided in the Blackboard course).
   • Computer labs are available on the Amarillo College campus if you need internet access, a webcam, or a computer with the required software.
5. Access to a printer to print, or ability to come to campus to pick up, learning materials, assignments, and exam review materials.
6. An interview portfolio binder will be provided to students to collect artifacts over the course of the semester that can be used during an interview to demonstrate learned skills.
7. Student access to the iCEV learning management system and the Cengage learning management systems (see Textbooks above)

Student Performance

Financial Literacy is one of five courses in a 15-hour Business Technology certificate that prepares students for a career in banking and finance. Upon successful completion of the certificate, students are guaranteed an interview with a local bank that has an open position. Included in the banking and finance certificate are 5 courses:

• Word Processing
• Financial Literacy
• Advanced Spreadsheets
• Principles of Bank Operations
• Selling Bank/Financial Products and Services

Financial Literacy course description:

• Identify the concepts associated with the time value of money; identify the differences among various savings and investment programs and classes of securities; identify the options for insurance; describe retirement and estate planning techniques; explain owning versus renting real property; and describe consumer protection legislation.
• Introduction to Microsoft Excel; manage data cells and ranges; manage worksheets and workbooks; manage tables and table data; perform operations by using formulas and functions; manage charts.

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

• Students are expected to maintain a high standard of individual honor in their scholastic work. Students who are guilty of cheating, plagiarism, copying, or dishonesty may receive a 0 on an assignment; may be excluded from class with a grade of F (Unsatisfactory); or, in flagrant cases, may be suspended from the College.
• The Faculty of the Business Technology Program reserve the right to ask a student to verify any portion of a test or assignment by reproducing any specific section or the entire test/assignment in question.
• Any action that compromises the computer systems at Amarillo College, including but not limited to hacking or cracking, can result in a grade of F (Unsatisfactory) in this course and possible further disciplinary action.

Grading Criteria

Course grades will then assigned based upon the following criteria:

Grades scored between
           89.5% and 100% = A
           79.5% and less than 89.5% = B
           69.5% and less than 79.5% = C
           59.5% and less than 69.5% = D
           0% and less than 59.5% = F

Assignments are grouped into broad categories and each category is weighted. Thus, certain categories of assignments will have a more significant impact on your final course grade than other categories. Weights are assigned as follows:

           Attendance  -  5%
           FinLit Assignments -  10%
           Chapter Notes  -  20%
           Chapter Quizzes  -  10%
           Excel Training - 10%
           Excel Projects -  15%
           FinLit Certification Exam  -  15%
           Excel Final - Part 1 (simulation) -  7.5%
           Excel Final - Part 2 (project) - 7.5%

A list of specific assignments and their due dates are provided in  the Weekly Assignments area in Blackboard.

Mandatory Tutoring Policy
Any time a student's overall course grade drops below a 70, or two or more assignments have not been completed by the due date, that student is required to attend a 1-hour tutoring session. This session can be scheduled directly with your instructor or with AC's Tutoring Center.

Attendance

• All Week 1 assignments must be completed by Monday 1/23 @ 10pm, in order to be considered PRESENT in the course. Failure to complete all assignments by this date may lead to an administrative drop from the course.
• Check your email daily.  The email address used by your instructor is the @amarillocollege.com email address issued to each AC student. Your instructor will communicate important course updates, guidance, and hints via email.
• Establish the habit of reading/reviewing the learning material(s) BEFORE you come to class. You don't have to know the material or fully understand what you have read, but you will be laying an important foundation. When we review the material in class, it will make more sense and both the in-class assignment and your homework will progress more efficiently. Promise!!
• Complete assignments by the scheduled date/time. The more effort you put into keeping on top of the assignments, the more you will learn, the more you will enjoy the course, and the more likely the workload will not feel burdensome.
• Attendance will be taken at the beginning of each class period. If you arrive late, it is your responsibility to ensure that you have been counted as present--before you leave class that evening. Excessive absence or lack of participation may result in failure of the course.
• Students should plan on spending a minimum of 8-12 hours per week on this course--outside of the classroom. Actual amounts will vary depending on weekly assignments and topic complexity.
• Your instructor, Lynne Kenney, may be contacted by email through the course in Blackboard. If Blackboard is not available, please email lkenney@actx.edu. You may also utilize the Remind app to reach out to your instructor.
• Emails are typically answered within 24 hours. If you do not receive a response within that timeframe, please resend your message as a reminder.

Calendar

Additional Information

IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER:

January 16:                  Martin Luther King Holiday (AC Closed)
January 17:                  Spring 1 classes begin
January 24:                  Census Day (Administrative Drop for Non-Attendance)
February 28:                 Last Day to Withdraw
March 9:                       Last Day of Course
March 10-March 19:     Spring Break @ Amarillo College (limited services)
March 24:                     Spring 2 classes begin

 

TECHNOLOGY & COMPUTING ISSUES

• Computer Services Center: Located within the AC Bookstore, trained staff will diagnose computer-related issues and repair problems on a fee-for-service basis. Laptop rentals are also available. Visit the Computer Services Center website for additional details: https://www.actx.edu/bookstore/computer-service-center.
• Student & Faculty Help Center: Located in the basement of Ware Student Commons, the Help Center provides technical support to students and faculty. The Help Center offers assistance in logging into AC Connect, Blackboard, resetting passwords, and general computing and software questions. Visit the Student & Faculty Help Center website at https://www.actx.edu/ctl/helpcenter.
• The Underground: Located in the basement of Ware Student Commons, The Underground contains more than 130 computers and features numerous individual work stations, production and collaboration rooms, some 85-inch screens, and high-quality printers. Hours of Operation are: Monday-Thursday (7am-8:30pm), Friday (7am-4pm), and Sunday (2pm-6pm).

COURSE ASSISTANCE

• Tutoring: A variety of options are available when you need a little extra help in a course (online, walk-in, one-on-one). Visit the Tutoring website at https://www.actx.edu/tutoring/.
• Writers' Corner: Writers' Corner offers one-on-one tutoring to review assignment requirements, provide constructive feedback, and guide students through all phases of the writing process. Writer’s Corner will not edit your work, but will help you get on the right path. Visit the Writer’s Corner website at https://www.actx.edu/english/writerscorner.
• DisAbility Services: DisAbility Services helps students by providing necessary accommodations for course success and facilitating access to all services and programs at Amarillo College. Visit the DisAbility Services website at https://www.actx.edu/disability/.
• Learn about using AC Connect (Blackboard) and using features of our course by reviewing the following tutorials:
  • Blackboard On Demand Learning Center for Students
    • Topic list: https://help.blackboard.com/Learn/Student
    • Videos: http://ondemand.blackboard.com/students.htm
  • AC Connect Student Resources
    • https://www.actx.edu/ctl/ac-connect-student-resources

PERSONAL ISSUES

• Advocacy & Resource Center: The Advocacy & Resource Center is located on the first floor of Ware Student Commons. A variety of resources are available in the areas of social services, a food pantry, a clothing closet, and adult student programs. Visit the Advocacy & Resource Center website at http://www.actx.edu/arc/advocacy-and-resource-center.
• Counseling Center: At the Counseling Center, student and counselor work together to develop more personal awareness and the skills needed to overcome barriers to success. All services are free and confidential. Visit the Counseling Center website at: https://www.actx.edu/counseling/index.php.
• Legal Clinic: The Legal Clinic is a free, walk-in clinic assisting enrolled AC students on various legal issues including family law, immigration, probate, landlord-tenant issues, and general legal matters. Visit the Legal Clinic website at https://www.actx.edu/legalstudies/legal-student-intership.