Course Syllabus

https://youtu.be/ylwCQz13cvk

 

Finance and Investment Syllabus

Mr. Pedersen

Wellesley High School

pedersenb@wellesleyps.org

Room:137 

Office Hours:

  • Thursdays after school until 3:30
  • By appointment most days
  • A Block

I typically arrive early and am available after school.  I consider it my priority to help you so feel free to come by or reach out anytime.

Introduction & Course Expectations

Finance and Investments is an honors-level course that covers a wide range of topics, including basic economics, investing, market analysis, accounting, and personal finance.  The underlying objective of the course is for students to acquire a working knowledge of how financial issues will affect themselves and society as a whole.  The ultimate goal is for students to learn basic economic and business principles that they can use to successfully manage their own finances in the future. It is also an interactive course which focuses on practical and realistic applications of what you learn.  This means that participation and group work will be a major part of our work.  We will do lots of projects and case studies that will ask you to apply what you are learning in addition to tests.

The course will start with a basic overview of micro and macroeconomics.  We will then move on to focusing on investing and different investment strategies/ mechanisms before covering personal finance towards the end of the school year.  We will often discuss current events as they come up, so students are encouraged to follow the financial news.   We will also be participating in stock market simulations (at least one each semester).  

Device Policy:

Per Wellesley Public School policy, cell phone use is not permitted during class.  Students are required to put their phone in the teacher-designated areas.  Additionally, it is HIGHLY recommended that you take notes in your notebook and not use your laptop.  There is lots of neuroscience to support this practice. However, we will use laptops for homework, projects, etc.

AI Policy/ Philosophy:

Artificial intelligence is changing many aspects of the economy, but in particular, it is revolutionizing finance.  A side goal of this class is to teach you how to responsibly use the technology so that you are still in control of the output and are set up to effectively use it as an employee.  As it should later on when you enter the workforce, you need to understand what the bot is doing for you so you can explain it.  If you are mindlessly taking the AI output and using it, what does a prospective employer need you for?  You need to add value!  To this end, we will work on using AI productively with a focus on metacognition when using it.  This means, when you use AI, I expect you to disclose that you used it and be able to explain what you asked it to do.  This will take different forms; sometimes it will be a question on a homework assignment, a full reflection paper, and sometimes a 1 on 1 conference with me.  

Grading:

Grades for each term will be based on a variety of assessments that will include quizzes, homework, participation, and projects such as reports and presentations.  It is critical that you take advantage of work time in class.  

Grading Policy:

Tests/ Projects: 60%

Quiz: 20%

Homework: 20%

Final Experience is worth 12% of course grade!

Grading scale:

A- 90-100%

B- 80-89%

C- 70-79%

D- 60-69%

F-59%- Below 

Class participation:

High-quality participation includes attending class, being prepared, working hard, participating in and advancing class discussions, taking notes, creating a productive environment in group work, and respecting your peers.

 

DCAP Policy:

District accommodations (DCAP) are available to all students, and in the 26-27 school year, WHS is committed to moving this forward with fidelity.

While some accommodations can be offered in the moment, others require advanced notice.

For example: Extended time on an in-class assessment is a collaborative decision made by the teacher, student, and family to meet individual student needs.  The WHS guideline is up to 25% extra time.  This accommodation relies on proactive student communication PRIOR to the date of the assessment.  The student and teacher must establish how the accommodation will be provided. 

Due dates:

All materials are due at the beginning of class.  Students who are not in class on any given day are responsible for any missed assignments, assessments, readings, etc.  Every day is a teaching day and if you are not in class, teaching will still occur.  Please check with me, a fellow classmate, or Canvas for valuable information, assignments, etc. if/when you are absent.

Absence Policy:

If you have an excused absence, you have as many days as you missed to make up your missing assignments (ex.  Miss 2 days, you have 2 days to make up any missing work).  If you miss a Test or Quiz, it is YOUR responsibility to schedule an opportunity to make it up with me within 2 days of the absence.   Any infractions of the absence policy as outlined in the Student Handbook also apply.

Late Work Policy:  

No late work will be accepted after a unit assessment (project or test) is completed.  Points will be deducted if work is consistently late.  When you turn in an assignment late, it is your responsibility to email me the file.  Projects for test grades cannot be turned in late unless prior arrangements are made several days before the due date.  The more proactive you are, the more flexible I can be!

 Course Materials:

The textbook will be the Glencoe Business and Personal Finance, 2016 edition.  This will primarily be used as a reference text since most of the coursework and learning will take place through applications and research.  There will also be hand-outs, slideshows, and other assorted materials.  These materials will be accessible on the class website on Canvas, and students are required to maintain notebooks of their work.

Course Topics

First Semester: Finance

Unit 1: Microeconomics and Investing

  • Opportunity Cost
  • Factors of Production 
  • Supply and Demand
  • Elasticity 
  • Market Structures and Competition

Unit 2: Macroeconomics 

  • GDP, Inflation, and Unemployment
  • Business Cycle and Recessions
  • Interest Rates
  • Time Value of Money
  • Monetary and Fiscal Policy

Unit 3: Business Structures

  • Costs and Revenues
  • Types of Business
  • Accounting and Financial Statements
  • Funding Sources
  • Case Study

Unit 4: Basic Investing 

  • Venture Capital
  • Stocks and Stock Valuation
  • Bonds and Bond Valuation
  • ETFs
  • Efficient Market Hypothesis
  • Investment Strategies
  • Case Study

Unit 5: Other Investments, Risk, and Diversification 

  • Diversification and Risk
  • Cryptocurrency
  • Commodities
  • Derivatives 

Second Semester: Personal Finance

Unit 1: Saving and Banking

  • Career Goals and Financial Goals
  • Saving Strategies
  • Saving in the Short Term

Unit 2: Credit and Loans

  • Loans, Amortization, and Credit
  • Building Credit
  • Types of Loans
  • Credit Cards
  • Renting a Home vs Renting an Apartment
  • Student Loans

Unit 3: Taxes and Insurance

  • Excise Taxes
  • Income Taxes
  • Deductions and Credits
  • Auto Insurance
  • Homeowners/ Renters Insurance
  • Health Insurance
  • Life Insurance

Unit 4: Retirement and Estate Planning

  • Retirement Planning
  • Investing Retirement Savings
  • IRAs, 401ks, etc. 

Unit 5: Budgeting

  • Personal Financial Planning & Budgets
  • Simulation

Unit 6: Estate Planning (if time)

  • Wills, Trusts & Estates
  • Estate & Gift Taxes