Course Syllabus

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Syllabus

Course Information

General Info

  • Name: Personal Finance: Financial Citizenship in Social and Economic Systems
  • Course Number: FIN 1750-01; FIN 1750-02
  • CRN: 40107; 40108
  • Meeting days and time: 12:00-1:15 MW; 3:00-4:15 MW
  • Semester/block and year: Fall 2026
  • Credits: 3

Other Info

  • Prerequisite courses:  N/A 
  • Minimum grade required: C-
  • Schedule: see "Course Summary" below
  • Date(s) and Time of Final Exam: December 7-9, 2026
  • To see important dates for this semester, please visit the Academic Calendar.  Other dates for this course are found below in the Course Summary.

Instructor Info

  • Name: Kaplan Sanders, PhD, CFP®
  • Email:  Canvas Inbox or kaplan.sanders@utahtech.edu 
  • Office Location: UHB 326
  • Office Hours: 
    • MW: 1:30-3:00
    • T/Th: 10:30-11:30
  • Responses: If you contact me through Canvas messaging or email, you can expect a response within 48 hours, with the exception of weekends and holidays.

Course Description

From Catalog: https://catalog.utahtech.edu/courses/

Fulfills General Education Social and Behavioral Sciences requirement and is an approved Global and Cultural Perspectives course. Society is placing increasing responsibility on individuals for their financial well-being (e.g., retirement, health care). This course is devoted to building quantitative skills associated with individual financial decision making and analyzing the connection between individual decisions and societal well-being. This course seeks to address the "how" and "why" in personal financial decisions. Topics covered include credit/debt, property insurance, saving, and investing. The course will draw on multiple disciplines. Economics, finance, and applied mathematics are directly addressed. Public financial policy in areas of political science, law, and psychology are also discussed.

Course Requirements

Required Textbook:

N/A - all written materials provided in Canvas

Technology Requirements

Excel skills are required by many employers. Application of finance concepts in this class will help you improve your Excel skills. Several of the assignments will require access to MS Excel/Google Sheets, and we will occasionally spend time working on them in class.

If you do not have a reliable device, internet connection, or access to Google Apps, please contact the Utah Tech Help Desk:

Student Interaction Requirements

You are required to interact with the course, the instructor, and your peers.  Plan to log in to Canvas and work in this course at least 3 times per week. You are required to view and complete each page and assignment in every module, and ask the instructor for help or feedback if needed. 

Instructors' Communication & Interaction Plan

You can expect me to communicate with the class in the following ways:

  • Canvas announcements
  • Office hours
  • Assignment written feedback on Canvas
  • Discussion posts in case of discussion assignments.

Course Learning Outcomes

The table below illustrates how the assignments in this course align to the course and program learning outcomes.

 

CLO

PLO

ILO

ELO

Assessment

1

Understand the importance of financial literacy in the context of overall economy.

1 & 2

Knowledge

2, 4 & 7

Comprehension Quiz

2

Identify the benefits of a properly designed personal financial plan and be able to discuss its relationship to economic conditions and personal goals.

1 & 2

Knowledge

4 & 7

Personal Financial Journal

3

Construct and implement a well-planned personal financial plan.

1 & 2

Skill

4 & 5

Assignments: Setting Your Goals; Projected Budget; Cash Management and Emergency Fund Planning; Estimate Your Retirement Number

4

Explain the techniques of successful budgeting and asset management including the meaning and purpose of specific financial statements and records.

1 & 2

Knowledge

4 & 5

Comprehension Quizzes; Projected Budget

5

Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of different types of checking accounts and savings plans.

 

Knowledge

4 & 5

Assignment: Compare Options

6

Identify the types of credit available to consumers and be able to discuss the pros and cons of using credit versus savings and cash when purchasing consumer goods.

 

Knowledge

4 & 5

Assignment: Paying Off Debt; Compare Options

7

Explain the factors that influence the availability of financial services and list the types of services and financial institutions commonly used by consumers.

 

Knowledge

2, 4 & 5

Comprehension Quizzes; Compare Options

8

Discuss factors that influence consumer-buying decisions and identify strategies for effective purchasing.

 

Knowledge

2 & 4

Discussion: Best Practices for Making Smart Purchase Decisions; Assignment: Shop for Your Next Car; Shop for a Home

9

Describe basic consumer rights and responsibilities.

 

Knowledge

2 & 7

Comprehension Quiz

10

Describe the role of planned borrowing in personal financial management.

 

Knowledge

4 & 5

Comprehension Quiz

College of Business Core Learning Objectives:

  1. Evaluate real world business situations related to the core business functions of accounting, economics, finance, qualitative analysis, information systems, international business, legal and social environments, marketing & management.  
  2. Analyze real world business situations by identifying relevant business issues, performing appropriate quantitative and qualitative data analysis and synthesis, formulating viable courses of action. 
  3. Create and deliver professional quality oral presentations and written work products.                     
  4. Analyze real world business situations by identifying relevant ethical issues, evaluating and synthesizing information, and formulating ethical courses of action. 

Finance:

  1. Produce fundamental financial analysis of the publicly listed company, estimate a fair value of the company stock, and formulate their investment recommendation.
  2. Perform financial analysis in the area of corporate finance, propose a managerial decision, and support the recommended course of action with quantitative and qualitative arguments.

Course Assignments and Grading

Grading Scale

  • A = 93-100%
  • A- = 90-92.9%
  • B+ = 87-89.9%
  • B = 83-86.9%
  • B- = 80-82.9%
  • C+ = 77-79.9%
  • C = 73-76.9%
  • C- = 70-72.9%
  • D+ = 67-69.9%
  • D = 63-66.9%
  • D- = 60-62.9%
  • F = below 60%

Final Grade Breakdown

Item Weight
Assignments 40%
Quizzes 20%
PFJ/Ask Someone/Discussion 20%
Attendance 10%
Exams 10%
TOTAL 100%

Instructor Grading Practices

  • In most cases, students lose points on an assignment for one of two reasons:
    • They have not read through the Canvas materials and assignment instructions. This usually means they miss some important part of the assignment.
    • They miss the due date.
  • Assignments are open on Canvas and have assigned deadlines. Assignments should be submitted by the deadline.

Late Work, Missed Exams, and Unexcused Absences

Late work is not accepted, except in case of medical or university-excused absence.

Use  of Generative AI Tools

You may use generative AI programs like ChatGPT to help generate ideas and help you learn the concepts when the resources provided on Canvas do not seem a good fit for your learning style. However, you should note that the material generated by these programs may be inaccurate, incomplete, or otherwise problematic.

AI should be used to benefit your learning, not hinder or replace it. This course was designed to be relevant, meaningful, and practical. Take charge to make sure that your AI use doesn't cheat your learning and reflection, but instead improves it. You are not allowed to use generative AI tools during exams, and your assignment submissions should be your own. Any cheating will be dealt with according to the relevant university policies, resulting in a minimum grade of zero.

Academic Calendar & Tentative Schedule

Academic Calendar: https://catalog.utahtech.edu/academiccalendar/

Week # Topics/Readings

1

 Module 1: Financial Behavior and Economic Factors

2

Module 1: Financial Behavior and Economic Factors

3

Module 2: Values, Goals, and the Planning Process

4

Module 3: Budgeting and Financial Plans

5

Module 4: Making Smart Purchase Decisions

 6

Module 5: Cash, Savings, Credit, and Debt

7

Module 5: Cash, Savings, Credit, and Debt

8

Module 6: Making Large Purchase Decisions (Car and House)

9

Module 6: Making Large Purchase Decisions (Car and House)

10

Module 7: Career Planning and Education Funding

 11

Module 7: Career Planning and Education Funding

12

Module 8: Risk Management and Insurance

13

Module 9: Investing

14

Module 10: Taxes and Other Withholdings

15

 Module 11: Retirement and Estate Planning

16

Module 12: Bringing It All Together

Support and Policies

The full list of Utah Tech support resources and university policies, including the Disability Resource Center (ADA), Title IX, and academic integrity statements, is available here: Utah Tech Support and Policies. A preview is embedded below; use the link above to open the full, always-current version in a new tab.

Course Summary:

Course Summary
Date Details Due