ECON 1505 - Personal Financial Literacy
Fall 2026 Syllabus, Section 01, CRN 42501,
Credit hours: 3
Course Meeting Times
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Instructor
Phylicia Joy
Email: pbjoy@ysu.edu
Course Description
1505. Personal Financial Literacy. An introduction to personal financial planning. Topics covered include budgeting, the use of credit, taxes, savings accounts, investment strategies, insurance, buying a home, career planning, and retirement planning. Students will gain the knowledge and resources to be better prepared for their financial future. 3 s.h.
Course Readings
| Group | Title | Author | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|
| Required | Personal Finance, v1.1, Siegel, R. S., & Yacht, C. (2010). Personal finance. | Rachel Siegel | ISBN 13: 9780982361863 |
The course readings are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, research developments, current events, and/or to ensure better learning.
Assignments/Assessments
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Schedule of Topics and Assignments
| Week of | Reading(s) | Proposed Topic | Due/To Prepare for Class |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8/24 | Module 1: Chapter 1 | Personal Financial Planning | Chapter 1 Podcast Chapter 1 Discussion Module 1 Assignment: Spending Analysis |
| 8/31 | Module 2: Chapter 2 | Basic Ideas of Finance | Chapter 2 Podcast Chapter 2 Discussion Module 2 Assignment: Emergency Fund Exercise\ |
| 9/7 | Module 3: Chapter 4 | Evaluating Choices: Time, Risk and Value | Chapter 4 Podcast Chapter 4 Discussion Module 4 Assignment: FV/PV Calculations |
| 9/14 | Module 4: Chapter 5 | Financial Plans and Budgets | Chapter 5 Podcast Chapter 5 Discussion Exam 1 |
| 9/21 | Module 5: Chapter 6 | Tax Strategies | Chapter 6 Podcast Chapter 6 Discussion Module 5 Assignment: Tax Exercise |
| 9/28 | Module 6: Chapter 7 | Financial Management | Chapter 7 Podcast Chapter 7 Discussion Module 6 Assignment: Choosing a Bank |
| 10/5 | Module 7 : Chapter 8 | Consumer Strategies | Chapter 8 Podcast Chapter 8 Discussion Module 7 Assignment: Buying a Car |
| 10/12 | Module 8: Chapter 9 | Buying a Home | Chapter 9 Podcast Chapter 9 Discussion Module 8 Assignment: Buying a Home Exam 2 |
| 10/19 | Module 9: Chapter 10 | Personal Risk Management: Insurance | Chapter 10 Podast Chapter 10 Discussion |
| 10/26 | Module 10: Chapter 11 | Personal Risk Management: Retirement and Estate Planning | Chapter 11 Podcast Chapter 11 Discussion Module 10 Assignment: Retirement Planning Calculator |
| 11/2 | Module 11: Chapter 12 | Investing | Chapter 12 Podcast Chapter 12 Discussion Module 11 Assignment: Stock Market Setup |
| 11/9 | Module 12: Chapter 13 | Behavioral Finance and Market Behavior | Chapter 13 Podcast Chapter 13 Discussion Exam 3 |
| 11/16 | Module 13: Chapter 15 | Owning Stocks | Chapter 15 Podcast Chapter 15 Discussion Module 13 Assignment: Stock Market Update |
| 11/23 | Module 14: Chapter 16 | Owning Bonds | Chapter 16 Podcast Chapter 16 Discussion Module 14 Assignment: Bond Knowledge Exercise |
| 11/30 | Module 15: Chapter 17 | Investing in Mutual Funds, Commodities, Real Estate, and Collectibles | Chapter 17 Podcast Chapter 17 Discussion Practice Exam 4 |
| 12/7 | Module 16: Chapter 18 | Resume to Reality: Navigating Today's Job Market | Module 18 Podcast Exam 4 |
The course schedule, policies, procedures, and assignments in this course are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, by mutual agreement, and/or to ensure better learning.