The University of Alabama - College of Human Environmental Sciences

Department of Consumer Sciences

CSM 204: Introduction to Personal Financial Planning

Fall 2007

 

Mrs. Caroline S. Fulmer, M.S., CFP

Office Location and Hours – Room 215 Adams Hall – MW 1:30-3:30 p.m. and T 2-3:30 or by appointment

Office Phone Number – 205-348-0358

cfulmer@ches.ua.edu

 

Course Description – An overview of the financial planning process within the context of the life cycle. 

 

Course Objectives - Upon completion of this course of study, each student will be able to:

                1.             Explain the process of financial planning.

                2.             Apply financial planning principles to life situations.

                3.             Evaluate financial planning tasks in various stages of the life cycle.

                4.             Recognize job opportunities in the financial planning area.

 

Required Text - Garman, E.T., & Forgue, R.E. (2006) Personal Finance, Eighth Edition, Boston: Houghton Mifflin.

 

Evaluation - Four unit exams each worth 100 points will be given during the semester.  Should you miss an exam, all make up exams will be scheduled for the regular class time on Tuesday December 4th and you will need to make prior arrangements to take the exam you missed.  There will be quizzes and assignments in eLearning worth 100 points (this is not extra credit), and your semester grade will be based on 500 total points.  Exams will not be returned to students, but they will be available for review by the student during office hours.  The tests are at the cognitive learning level as required by the CFP Board of Standards and Practices.  Exam grades will be available at the Test Services web site as soon as they are graded and will be on eLearning by the next day.

 

Final Grade Scale

A+          97.00-100%                            C             73.00-76.99%         There will be no rounding of these grades as there will be

A             93.00-96.99%                         C-            70.00-72.99%         bonus points awarded occasionally for work in class, and

A-           90.00-92.99%                         D+           67.00-69.99%         students can impact this average with good attendance.

B+           87.00-89.99%                         D             63.00-66.99%                                        

B             83.00-86.99%                         D-            60.00-62.99%                        

B-            80.00-82.99%                         F              Below 60.00%                      

C+           77.00-79.99%                                                                                        

 

Attendance Policy and General Information

1.                    Class attendance is expected and roll will be taken.  If you come into class after the lecture has begun, it will be your responsibility to come after class and tell me you are here.  Students with 0 or 1 absence will have 3 points added to their final average.  Students with 2 absences will have 2 points added to their final average, and students with 3 absences will have 1 point added to their final average.  Students with 4 absences will have no points added or subtracted.  One point will be subtracted from the final average for each absence over 4.  This policy applies regardless of the reason for the absence, so please reserve absences for real emergencies.

2.                    Students are responsible for reading text material before coming to class.  Class lectures, discussion and exercises will be used to support and reinforce material in the textbook.  The exams will cover text material that may not be discussed in class.

3.                    A regular calculator will be required for some class sessions and the exams.   You may not use your cell phone as your calculator or for other purposes in class.  Cell phones are to be silenced and not used in any way during class

4.                    Exams will be scored by computer, so you must bring a number 2 pencil.

5.                    Class work is outlined on the course outline and may be found on eLearning. 

6.             There will be no eating, drinking, or smoking in this classroom.  All food and beverages should be disposed of and/or stored before entering the room.  Only bottled water is allowed.

7.             I encourage you to contact me if you are having any problems at all.  Do not wait until just prior to the last exam to ask for assistance, as by that time it will be too late to affect your grade.

 

 

Classroom Conduct:

The Code of Student Conduct requires that students behave in a manner that is conducive to a teaching/learning environment. Students who engage in behavior that is disruptive or obstructive to the teaching/learning environment will be subject to disciplinary sanctions outlined by the Code of Student Conduct. Disruptive/obstructive behavior is not limited to but may include the following: physical abuse, verbal abuse, threats, stalking, intimidation harassment, hazing, possession of controlled substances, possession of alcoholic beverages, use of cell phones/pagers, reading the newspaper, talking in side conversations, and other behaviors that are distracting to the instructor or other students.

 

Academic Integrity:

The University of Alabama is committed to helping students to uphold the ethical standards of academic integrity in all areas of study. Students agree that their enrollment in this course allows the instructor the right to use electronic devices to help prevent plagiarism. All course materials are subject to submission to Turnitin.com for the purpose of detecting textual similarities. Turnitin.com will be used as a source document to help students avoid plagiarism in written documents.

 

Policy on Academic Misconduct - All acts of dishonesty in work constitute academic misconduct.  This includes, but is not limited to cheating, plagiarism, fabrication of information, and abetting any of the above. The Code of Academic Conduct and Academic Misconduct Disciplinary Procedures will be followed in the event that academic misconduct occurs.  Students should refer to the Student Affairs Handbook, which can be obtained from the Student Life Office.

 

Policy on Disability Accommodations:

The University of Alabama is committed to providing persons with disabilities an equal opportunity to participate in and benefit from all programs and services offered by the University. It is the responsibility of persons with disabilities to seek assistance. If you need special assistance, please talk with your instructor and/or Dr. Olivia Kendrick, 101 Doster, 348-6150.