Financial Literacy Syllabus for 2023-2024
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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 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

BUSG-1404-002 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

In this course, you are expected to read all assigned materials and agree to abide by the rules and guidelines presented in the department academic integrity policy; by submitting an assignment, you acknowledge this policy. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1VG1NSpxZzc8HDz_ElcnwYALIMYy-tCSl/view?usp=drive_link

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

Tech Supported

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

1. Foundations in Personal Finance: College Edition

• Personal Financial course code (Lampo Press, publisher)
• includes online videos, learning materials, tests, and a certification exam
• this code can be purchased from the AC Bookstore or directly from the publisher using a link provided in the course
• course is designed by Dave Ramsey's company, Ramsey Education
• Dave Ramsey is a well-known radio personality and author who offers financial advice on learning how to budget, beat debt, save and invest
• ISBN: 1936948311
• cost directly from publisher = $100; cost from AC Bookstore = $120

 

2. MyLabIT: e-Textbook + online homework platform

• MyLabIT access code (Pearson, publisher)
• specifically we will utilize a text named, Exploring Microsoft Office 365, 2021 Edition
• this 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 using this 1 code
• ISBN-13: 0137693222
• cost directly from publisher = $110; cost from AC Bookstore = $147

 

Supplies

1. Access to a computer with webcam and high-speed internet connection.
   • This technology is used to complete and upload online assignments in Blackboard, Pearson's MyLabIT, and Buzz/Ramsey Education 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.
      
2. Microsoft Excel (2021 version or Microsoft 365) software running on a personal computer.
   • Free versions of spreadsheet software such as Google Sheets or Excel Online are not compatible with this course.
   • Amarillo College offers students access to Microsoft 365 for free; information about accessing this software will be 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.
      
3. Access to a printer to print, or ability to come to campus to pick up, learning materials, assignments, and review materials.
    
4. An interview portfolio binder will be provided to students to collect artifacts over the course of the semester that can be used during a future employment interview to demonstrate learned skills.
    
5. Student access to both the Ramsey Education Buzz learning management system and the Pearson MyLabIT 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 an entry-level 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; PivotTables and PivotCharts.

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:

           Weekly Zoom Meeting  -  5%
           FinLit Reading/Videos -  10%
           FinLit Tests  -  15%
           Excel Training Projects  - 10%
           Excel Chapter Projects  -  20%
           Excel Final Project  -  20%
           FinLit Certification Final Exam  -  20%

A list of specific assignments and their due dates are provided in Blackboard.

Mandatory Tutoring Policy
Any time a student's overall course grade drops below a 75, 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 the instructor or with AC's Tutoring Center.

Attendance

• All Week 1 assignments must be completed by Tuesday, 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, Blackboard Messages, and Remind texting app daily.  The email address used by your instructor is the @amarillocollege.com email address issued to each AC student. Remind is a texting app that provides another quick communication path with your instructor. Your instructor will communicate important course updates, guidance, and hints via email and Remind.
   
• 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.
   
• A weekly Zoom meeting will be hosted by your instructor. This meeting provides a regular check-in between students and the instructor, as well as an opportunity to introduce and review course materials.
   
• Students should plan on spending a minimum of 8-12 hours per week on this course. We have a lot of material to cover and a short 8-weeks in which to get it covered. Actual amounts will vary depending on weekly assignments and topic complexity. Just understand that there is no slow week or break during the course.
   
• 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 time frame, please resend your message as a reminder.

Calendar

Additional Information

IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER:

January 15:                 Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday (AC Closed)
January 16:                 Spring-1 Classes Begin
January 23:                 Census Day (Administrative Drop for Non-Attendance)
February 2:                 AC Employee General Assembly (AC Closed starting at 11:00am)
February 27:               Last Day to Withdraw
March 7:                      Last Day of Course
March 8-17:                 Spring Break - Students & Faculty (AC Open)
March 14-17:               Spring Break - All (AC Closed)
March 18:                    Spring-2 Classes Begin

• Student Help Resources:
  • Center for Teaching and Learning Student and Faculty Help Center - www.actx.edu/ctl/helpcenter
  • Center For Teaching and Learning - www.actx.edu/ctl/
  • Blackboard Student Help Page - www.actx.edu/ctl/blackboard-student-help
  • AskAC - www.actx.edu/contact-us/
  • Academic Success Center - www.actx.edu/successcenters/index.php
  • Advocacy and Resource Center - www.actx.edu/arc/index.php
  • Career & Employment Services - www.actx.edu/career/
  • Advising Home Page - www.actx.edu/advising/
  • Counseling Center Home Page - www.actx.edu/counseling/
  • Legal Clinic Home Page - www.actx.edu/legal_clinic/

 

• Blackboard 101:
  Many students need more technical assistance with the new Blackboard Ultra. Blackboard 101 is an optional self-paced Blackboard tutorial course to help familiarize students with the workings and mechanics of Blackboard Ultra. See The Blackboard Student Help Page - www.actx.edu/ctl/blackboard-student-help - for more information about Blackboard 101.