ECON 1505 - Personal Financial Literacy
Fall 2026 Syllabus, Section 03, CRN 43916,
Credit hours: 3
Course Meeting Times
Log in to view more
Instructor
Johnna Provenzano
Email: jmprovenzano@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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Optional | Personal Finance | Rachel Siegel |
Online Open-Resource Textbook accessed here.
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
Log in to view more
Schedule of Topics and Assignments
| Week of | Reading(s) | Proposed Topic | Due/To Prepare for Class |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8/24 | Chapter 1 | Personal Finance Planning Syllabus and Course Overview |
Student information worksheet Discussion: Review your current financial thinking and behavior. Assignment: Spending Analysis Assignment: Spending Analysis Due 8/30 at 11:59pm: Week 1: Assignment - Spending Analysis Due 8/30 before 11:59:24pm: Module 1: Discussion - Chapter 1 Personal Financial Planning - Reply Due 8/30 at 11:59pm: Week 2 Assignment - Emergency Fund Exercise Due 8/30 before 11:59:07pm: Week 2: Discussion - Chapter 2 Basic Ideas of Finance - Reply |
| 8/31 | Chapter 2 Chapter 4 |
Basic Ideas of Finance Evaluating Choices: Time, Risk and Value |
Discussion: Basic Ideas of Finance Assignment: Emergency Fund Exercise Discussion: Time, Risk, and Value Due 9/6 before 11:59:43pm: Week 2: Discussion - Chapter 4 Time, Risk and Value - Reply |
| 9/7 | Chapter 5 | Financial Plans: Budgets | Discussion: How to create a budget Assignment: Budget Worksheet Due 9/13 at 11:59pm: Week 3: Assignment - Budget Worksheet Due 9/13 before 11:59:41pm: Week 3: Discussion - Chapter 5 Discussion - Reply Due 9/13 before 11:59:58pm: Week 5: Discussion - Chapter 7 Discussion - Reply Due 9/13 before 11:59:17pm: Week 6: Discussion - Chapter 8 Discussion - Reply Due 9/13 at 11:59pm: Week 7: Assignment - Chapter 9: Buying a Home |
| 9/14 | Chapter 6 | Taxes and Tax Planning | Discussion: Taxes Assignment: Tax Exercise Exam review Due 9/20 at 11:59pm: Week 9: Assignment - Retirement Planning Calculator Due 9/20 before 11:59:02pm: Week 4: Discussion - Chapter 6 Discussion - Reply Due 9/20 at 11:59pm: Week 4: Assignment - Tax Exercise Week 9: Exam 2 - Chapters 6, 7, 8, and 9 |
| 9/21 | Chapter 7 | Financial Management | Exam 1: Chapters 1, 2, 3, 5, Discussion: Online Banking Services Assignment: Choosing a Bank Due 9/22 at 11:59pm: Week 5: Exam 1 - Chapters 1,2,4,5 Due 9/27 at 11:59pm: Week 5: Assignment - Chapter 7: Choosing a Bank Week 9: Assignment - Chapter 12: Stock Market Challenge: Setup & Trade! Week 11: Exam 3 - Chapters 10,11,12,13 |
| 9/28 | Chapter 8 | Consumer Strategies | Discussion: Recent Purchase Review Assignment: Buying a Car Due 10/4 at 11:59pm: Week 11: Assignment - Chapter 15: Stock Market Challenge Update Due 10/4 before 11:59:19pm: Week 11: Discussion - Chapter 15 Discussion - Reply Due 10/4 at 11:59pm: Week 6: Assignment - Chapter 8: Buying a Car Due 10/4 before 11:59:04pm: Week 13: Discussion - Chapter 17 Discussion - Reply |
| 10/5 | Chapter 9 | Buying a Home | Discussion: Buying a Home Assignment: Buying a Home Exam Overview Due 10/11 at 11:59pm: Week 15: Assignment - Cover Letter & Resume Due 10/11 before 11:59:19pm: Week 14: Discussion - Chapter 18 Discussion - Reply Due 10/11 before 11:59:42pm: Week 7: Discussion - Chapter 9 Discussion - Reply Due 10/11 at 11:59pm: Final Exam Week: Exam 4 - Chapters 15, 16, 17, 18 |
| 10/12 | Chapter 10 | Personal Risk Management: Insurance | Exam: Chapters 6, 7, 8, 9 Discussion: Auto Insurance Rates Due 10/18 before 11:59:58pm: Week 8: Discussion - Chapter 10 Discussion - Reply Due 10/18 before 11:59:41pm: Week 8: Discussion - Chapter 11 Discussion - Reply |
| 10/19 | Chapter 11 Chapter 12 |
Personal Risk Management: Retirement and Estate Planning Investing |
Discussion: Retirement Planning Assignment: Retirement Planning Calculator Discussion: Investment Portfolio Assignment: Stock Market Challenge: Setup Due 10/25 before 11:59:06pm: Week 9: Discussion - Chapter 12 Discussion - Reply |
| 10/26 | Chapter 13 | Behavioral Finance and Market Behavior | Discussion: Case Study Assignment: Crisis of Credit Video Case Questions Exam Review |
| 11/2 | Chapter 15 | Owning Stocks | Exam 10, 11, 12, 13 Discussion: Going Public Due 11/1 at 11:59pm: Week 10: Assignment - Chapter 13: Video Case: The Crisis of Credit Due 11/1 before 11:59:25pm: Week 10: Discussion - Chapter 13 Discussion - Reply |
| 11/9 | Chapter 16 | Owning Bonds | Assignment: Stock Market Challenge Update Discussion: Bond ratings and markets |
| 11/16 | Chapter 17 | Investing in Mutual Funds, Commodities, Real Estate and Collectibles | Discussion: Mutual Funds Due 11/15 before 11:59:43pm: Week 12: Discussion - Chapter 16 Discussion - Reply |
| 11/23 | Chapter 18 | Career Planning | Discussion: Job Review Resume and Cover Letter Review |
| 11/30 | Chapter 18 | Career Planning | Resume and Cover Letter Submission Exam Review |
| 12/7 | Final Exam | Final Exam | Exam Chapters 15, 16, 17, 18 |
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.