Bunker Hill Community College
Financial Literacy for All
Instructor: Wissal Nouchrif
Fall 2019
Course Syllabus
Instructor Information
- Instructor: Wissal Nouchrif
- Email address: wnouchri@bhcc.mass.edu
- Phone 617-228-2347
- Office: B122 I
- Office hours: Mondays 9 am to 10 am and 2:15pm to 3:15pm
- Wednesdays 9:00 am to 10 am in B 122i
- Tuesdays & Thursdays 8:00 am to 8:30 in B 122 I
Course Objectives:
This course provides students with the skills and knowledge to make informed and effective financial decision. Students explore the basics of financial literacy, from balancing a checkbook to investing in a 401k. They engage in activities that help them set financial goals while learning to manage debt, understand their credit score, evaluate alternative modes of financing and plan for retirement. Open to first-year students.
Course Policies:
Attendance Policy:
Students are expected to attend all classes, arrive on time and be prepared to learn. Students must notify the professor by e-mail or phone when they are absent to review work missed. Students cannot leave prior to dismissal time without a valid excuse. Leaving early without permission counts as an absence.
Two unexcused absences will result in a grade reduction. Three absences may result in failing the course. (Exceptions made in extenuating circumstances with documented reasons)
Deadline Policy:
Homework must be submitted by the due date. Work over one week late will be reduced by one full grade.
Ground Rules:
No Cell phone use while in Class is allowed.
No Texting or browsing the internet is allowed in class.
No headphones are allowed in Class.
No side conversations are allowed in Class.
No profanity is allowed in class.
No talking over each other in class.
Always respect your peers, their opinions and questions.
Work in groups when assigned and do your fair share of the work.
College Accommodations and Support Services
The Office of Disability Support Services is a student-focused department dedicated to assisting members of the BHCC community with documented physical and/or learning disabilities. Students may be eligible for services that include tutoring, testing and other classroom accommodations. To get more information or request an accommodation, contact the Disability Support Services Office at 617-228-2327. Students are encouraged to request accommodations as early as possible and ideally before the start of the semester. For information about programs and services please visit: http://www.bhcc.mass.edu/disabilitysupportservices/.
CHEATING & PLAGIARISM –
Cheating consists of taking credit for work done by another person or doing work for which another person will receive credit. Cheating on examinations or tests consists of knowingly giving, receiving or using or attempting to give, receive or use unauthorized assistance. Other forms of cheating include copying to give, receive or use, unauthorized assistance and copying or purchasing others' work or arranging for others to do work under a false name. Forms of plagiarism include the submission of work of another source or person without giving proper acknowledgement or credit to that source or individual. If it is proven that a student in any course in which he or she is enrolled has knowingly cheated or plagiarized, this may result in a failing grade for an exam or assignment, withdrawal from the course or a failing grade in the course.
Student Coach and Student Mentor:
Our class is assigned a Success Coach who will be assisting each student in making an Education Plan and follow up on the progress of all your enrolled courses during semester (not just this class). We will also have one student mentor who will be attending some of our classes and assist students during hands on computer activities. Student mentors may also contact you in the event of your absence in class and/or follow up on status of each student in meeting the course requirements.
CORE LEARNING COMMUNITY OUTCOMES
I. Critical Thinking: Demonstrate a habit of mind characterized by the comprehensive exploration of issues, ideas, artifacts, and events before accepting or formulating an opinion or conclusion.
II. Integrated Communication: Demonstrate enhanced ability to communicate through: reading, speaking, writing, and listening.
III. Intercultural Knowledge and Competence: Demonstrate understanding and respect for the variety of cultural, social, and personal differences embodied in BHCC students, faculty and staff, and the local and global community.
IV. Reflection and Self-Assessment: Demonstrate a developing sense of self as a learner, building on prior experiences to respond to new and challenging contexts.
V. Teamwork: Demonstrate collaboration, participation and teamwork in group activities and projects.
SEMINAR Learning Outcomes
Integration of Thematic Content: Faculty will design a curriculum that integrates thematic content with Core learning community outcomes and Seminar learning outcomes. Faculty will develop and measure content-specific student learning outcomes for the Seminar based on Seminar theme.
- Education, Financial & Career planning: Create educational, financial and career goals and create a personalized plan for realizing goals.
- Civic Engagement: Participate in activities that are both individually life enriching and socially beneficial to the community and apply what they are learning in the classroom to the local and global community.
- Information Literacy: Identify, locate, evaluate, and effectively and responsibly use and share information relevant to the assignment, activity or problem at hand.
- Life Long Learning: Demonstrate curiosity, initiative, independence, transfer and reflection on an ongoing basis with the aim of improving knowledge, skills and competence.
- Problem Solving: Demonstrate the ability to design, evaluate, and implement a strategy to answer or address an open-ended question or achieve a desired goal.
Class Schedule: Tuesday 11:30 am -12:45pm
Room: B129B
Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisite: Open to First Year Students
Grading Criteria:
Quizzes 20%
Attendance and Participation 20%
Service Learning Project 20%
Assignment 20%
Final Paper 20%
Content covered * |
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What is Financial Literacy? Good credit/ Bad credit Identity Theft |
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Money Management Skills Create your own Budget Needs versus Wants |
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Taxes: The why and the How? Who should file taxes? What resources available on campus for taxes? |
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Consumer Credit: Advantages and disadvantages Credit cards and Personal Loans |
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Banking: How to pick the best account for you: costs and benefits. Comparing Banks and Accounts |
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Purchasing/Leasing decisions: Motor Vehicles |
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Mortgages: Roadmap to Home Buying. Stocks/Bonds |
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Retirement Savings: IRA: Traditional , Roth 401 k: employee retirement plan How soon should you start saving for retirement? |
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Financial Aid: Process and Consequences of dropping/failing Resources available on campus FAFSA Online |
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Insurance: Home and Auto How much insurance should you get ? |
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Life Insurance *subject to change |
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| November 12 | Monday class schedule will be followed (Tuesday classes are canceled on 11-12-19) |
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