Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

Risk and Insurance (Online)

FIN 3110-30I

Course: FIN 3110-30I
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: ACFN
CRN: 30205

Course Description

This course explores the numerous methods now used by businesses and other organizations to protect against risk. Besides the traditional methods of insurance, the course also introduces diversification, hedging, derivatives, guarantees, options, futures contracts, and other methods of risk control. (Fall) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Registration Restriction(s): Acceptance into the School of Business OR permission from a School of Business advisor OR have an approved Finance minor

Required Texts

Principles of Risk management and Insurance (13th Ed.)

Authors: Rejda and McNamara

ISBN Number: 978-0-13-4082578

Learning Outcomes

1.   Understand the numerous types of risks that human, financial, physical, and intangible assets are subject to in today’s world.
2.   Establish an orientation in how business, government, law, the risk management industry, and society in general protects itself from these types of risk.
3.   Know the wide variety of methods used for risk protection including hedging, diversification, options, derivatives, futures contracts, guarantees, insurance, and other risk controls.
4.   Learn the foundational thinking and principles of the traditional insurance industry and how these principles guide us in our approach to dealing with various risks.
5.   Use quantitative methods to identify, measure, analyze, and evaluate risk control options that are designed to protect people and organizations.
6.   Calculate the cost-benefit implications of various approaches and use the data to determine strategic direction in various risk scenarios.
7.   Evaluate the implications of various risk financing techniques under risk acceptance, risk avoidance, risk retention, and risk transfer.
8.   Determine the myriad of ways that people and organizations deal with the increasing complexity and burdens of the health care industry.

Course Requirements

Complete section quizzes to assess and reinforce your understanding of key concepts; use these to prepare for module exams.

Participate actively in discussion boards for each module to explore and apply principles of risk management.

Submit four assignments/projects focused on evaluating and managing risks through insurance and other methods.

Take four exams administered on Canvas, which may build on earlier materials; thorough preparation is essential for success.

Course Outline

Chapter 1: Risk and Its Treatment (Part 1 & Part 2)
Chapter 2: Insurance and Risk
Chapter 3: Introduction to Risk Management (Business and Personal)
Chapter 4: Enterprise Risk Management & Related Topics
Chapter 5: Types of Insurers and Marketing Systems
Chapter 6: Insurance Company Operations
Chapter 8: Government Regulation of Insurance (Part 1 & Part 2)
Chapter 9: Fundamental Legal Principles
Chapter 11: Life Insurance (Parts 1 & 2)
Chapter 14: Annuities and Individual Retirement Accounts
Chapter 15: Healthcare Reform – Individual Health Insurance Coverages
Chapter 16: Employee Benefits – Group Life and Health Insurance
Chapter 18: Social Insurance (Part 1 – Social Security & Part 2)
Chapter 19: The Liability Risk
Chapter 20: Auto Insurance
*  Note: Instructor reserves the right to modify the course outline by adding or removing chapters as necessary. 

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

Late submissions are generally not accepted. However, with reasonable cause and prior communication, students may be granted an opportunity to submit work late at the instructor’s discretion.

Attendance Policy

For this online course, participation in the discussion board is mandatory. It is strongly recommended to watch every lecture video and complete quizzes, discussion posts projects and exams by thoroughly studying and understanding the required videos, readings, and practice questions.

Course Fees

No course fees are required for this course.

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.