Introduction to Finance
- Course ID:ECON 325/326
- Semesters:2
- Department:Economics
- Teachers:James Kolakowski
Description and Objectives
If you don’t learn about money, you’ll pay for it! Introduction to Finance examines the relationship between academic and professional success and how to think about money as a source of value.
We examine the function of money and how it is used to generate profit. We read Robert T. Kiyosaki’s best selling book, Rich Dad Poor Dad, and develop a working vocabulary for financial literacy while cultivating personal financial habits.
We learn:
- How credit cards work (APR/APY)
- All about interest rates
- The role of a credit score
- How to buy a car
- How to buy a house
- How taxes work (we’ll pay federal, state, and local income taxes!)
We also review different asset classes such as:
- Stocks & Options
- Real Estate
- Bonds & Currencies
Key terms include:
- Asset
- Liability
- Income
- Expense
- Interest
- Taxes
- Balance Sheet
- Cash Flow
- Return on Investment
Textbooks
Rich Dad Poor Dad, by Robert T. Kiyosaki
Course Requirements
Attendance and assigned readings required.
Successful Students
Successful students will read the text and contribute thoughtfully to classroom discussion.