Major Concepts/Content:  This course is designed to make students aware of the financial challenges confronting them in daily living and in the workplace.  Included will be such topics as how to make intelligent decisions in spending and saving; how to maintain good financial records and manage payroll; how to use the accounting cycle; how to write a business plan; how to use credit and card cards wisely; how to obtain information from banking services, insurance choices, investment choices and how to prepare income tax forms.

Major Instructional Activities: Instructional activities will be provided in a classroom or a lab utilizing individualized instruction and electronic learning services.  Textbooks, workbooks, simulation projects, and appropriate financial software, internet activities and alternative resources may be used.

Major Evaluative Techniques:   Students will be required to demonstrate their mastery of skills through activities, tests, projects, and presentations.

Essential Objectives: Upon completion of the course, students should be able to

• Maintain and reconcile checking accounts.
• Prepare budgets.
• Calculate salary and payroll deductions.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the benefits, risks, and management of credit cards and loans.
• Calculate interest rates for loans, credit cards, and interest income.
• Compare the advantages and disadvantages of different saving and investment opportunities.
• Complete a stock market simulation.
• Complete basic income tax forms.
• Demonstrate the role of being an educated consumer in today’s technological world.
• Select appropriate insurance for a given situation.
• Use appropriate financial software for maintaining records.

Last Revised: April 16, 2007