Silva-Brown

silva-brownr@lisdtx.org

Room: G118

Course Information

Dollars and Sense is a one-semester course.

Dollars and Sense is a course regarding the day-to-day financial activities that affects you. It will cover such topics as income, property income, the consumer life cycle, federal income taxes, payroll and payroll deductions, budgeting, using a checking account, renting and owning a home, buying or leasing a vehicle, food and clothing, vacations and leisure, savings, equity, borrowing, credit cards and your credit rating, insurance, and planning for retirement. All of these topics are ones you will face at some time in your life.

Dollars and Sense focuses on consumer practices and responsibilities, the money management process, decision-making skills, the impact of technology, and preparation for human services careers. Money management refers to the day-to-day financial activities associated with satisfying your needs and wants. It involves careful planning, saving, and spending. Dollars and Sense will provide a unique learning opportunity for you to receive hands-on exposure to the world of personal finance. It is a practical course designed to prepare you for the future.

Prerequisites

Since the Internet is an important part of this course; you will be expected to conduct

research and view web pages using the Internet. You must have a background in basic

computer skills and the Internet to successfully complete some lesson assignments.

You should already know how to:

• operate your computer system;
• access and use the Internet; and
• multitask (run more than one program at a time).

Course Objectives

After completing this course, you should be able to:

1. demonstrate management of individual and family resources such as finances, food, clothing, shelter, health care, recreation, transportation, time, and human capital;
2. demonstrate management of financial resources to meet the goals of individuals and families across the life span;
3. demonstrate effective consumer skills related to housing needs;
4. analyze the relationship of the environment to family and consumer resources;
5. analyze relationships between the economic system and consumer actions; and
6. integrate knowledge, skills, and practices required for careers in consumer services.

DOLLARS addresses the required Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS).

Each lesson includes several activities that present content knowledge. Each lesson also includes multiple graded assignments to ensure that you learn the content that has been presented in the activities. Some of the assignments are automatically-graded quizzes, and some are written assignments or activities that your instructor will grade. Be sure you read all instructions carefully and ask your instructor for help if something is not clear.

Technical Requirements

Email 

Google Suite (Docs, Sheets, Slides, Folder, Drive) 

Audio and video capabilities (for watching/listening to course content) 

Course Credit 

The course grade will be calculated as follows: 

• 50% coursework average; 
• 50% summative assessment average
• final exam 

A passing course grade is 70 or higher.

Computer Problems 

A working computer is necessary for online coursework. Computer problems will not be accepted as a valid reason for failure to complete course activities within the allotted time frame. Identify a second computer, before the course begins, that you can use if you experience computer problems. 

Server Problems

Even though you cannot control if Canvas or Google has connectivity problems, you should start your assignments on time and do not procrastinate. 

Lost or Corrupted Files

You must keep/save a copy of every project/assignment in your Google Drive or personal computer. In the event of any kind of technology failure (e.g., Canvas server crash or virus infection, students’ own computer problems, loss of files in cyberspace, etc.) or any disputes, the instructor may require you to resubmit the files. In some instances, the instructor may need to open another attempt within Canvas, so communication with your instructor is critical in these circumstances. Do not wait until the assignment is due to discuss your issues.