Note: This course code has changed from B 201 to FIN 201. You may occasionally see references to the old course code or title.

Course Description

This is an introductory course to familiarize non-business majors with the basic vocabulary and substantive knowledge of personal finance, financial institutions, and business finance. The course will provide an opportunity to develop skills in effective communication, financial analysis, and problem-solving. Ethics in the area of finance will be discussed.

Textbooks and Required Materials

1. Guide to Personal Finance, by Virginia Morris and Kenneth Morris. Lightbulb Press. ISBN# 978-1933569093
2. Guide to Money & Investing, by Virginia Morris and Kenneth Morris. Lightbulb Press. ISBN# 978-0-9829075-7-3
3. Investing for Retirement, by Virginia Morris and Kenneth Morris. Lightbulb Press. ISBN-13: 978-0982907535
4. Planning Retirement Income, by Virginia Morris and Kenneth Morris. Lightbulb Press. ISBN-13: 978-0982907559
5. Managing Retirement Income, by Virginia Morris and Kenneth Morris. Lightbulb Press. ISBN-13: 978-0982907542

The course materials are available in the Course Materials List.

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Highly Recommended

To participate fully in this course and complete all the necessary assignments, it is highly recommended that you have speakers, headphones, and a microphone.

Expectations

Students will participate in an online simulation, complete projects, prepare assignments, and participate during group discussions.

Successful Students Will

• Demonstrate financial management skills
• Analyze basic investing options
• Formulate strategies for understanding and avoiding debt and credit
• Calculate tax obligations
• Describe the home purchasing and mortgage process
• Create plans for financial stability

Time Commitment

Students will spend 9 hours each week preparing, teaching one another, and pondering/proving competence.

Topics

• Introduction to Stocks
• Provident Living, Managing Money, Setting Budgets, and Tracking Expenses
• Analyzing Financial Statements
• Taxes
• Time Value of Money
• Credit
• Loans and Mortgages Selecting and Buying a Home
• 401(k) retirement plans
• IRAs
• Mutual Funds and Bonds
• Life Insurance, Wills and Estate Planning

Grading Scale

University Policies

Students with Disabilities

Brigham Young University-Idaho is committed to providing a working and learning atmosphere that accommodates qualified persons with disabilities. If you have a disability and require accommodations, please contact the Disability Services Office at (208) 496-9210 or visit their website and follow the Steps for Receiving Accommodations. Reasonable academic accommodations are reviewed for all students who have qualified documented disabilities. Services are coordinated with students and instructors by the Disability Services Office.

This course may require synchronous meetings. If you are currently registered with the Disability Services Office and need an interpreter or transcriber for these meetings, please contact the deaf and hard of hearing coordinator at (208) 496-9219.

Other University Policies

Student Honor and Other Policies

Please read through the document called University Policies. It gives important information about the following topics:

• Student Honor
  • Academic Honesty
  • Student Conduct
    • Sexual Harassment
• Student with Disabilities
• Complaints and Grievances
• Copyright Notice

Go to the Student Resources module to review further resources and information.

Support & Help

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