Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

Consumerism and Family Finance in American Society (Online)

FLHD 2700-SW1

Course: FLHD 2700-SW1
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: FLHD
CRN: 31158

Course Description

Teaches principles necessary for individuals to act as informed, educated, and responsible citizens in the financial realm. Promotes critical thinking, problem solving, and action on the part of each student. Includes experiences designed to assist the student in applying the principles discussed. (Fall, Spring, Summer) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Registration Restriction(s): Intensive English Program majors may not enroll General Education Category: Social and Behavioral Sciences

Required Texts

Required Textbook: Goldsmith, E.B. (2023) Foundatitons of Family Resource Management, 6th edition. 

*If you use an older edition you may not have all information required for exams

Available through the SUU Bookstore with an Inclusive Access option

If you want to purchase elsewhere:

  • ISBN: 978-0-367-76384-8  (Hardback)
  • ISBN: 978-1-003-16674-0 (ebook)

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate an understanding of the multiplicity of acquiring and managing a variety of resources. (Aligns with NCFR #6)
  2. Summarize the reciprocal relationship between individual/family/community choices and resources (Aligns with NCFR #6)
  3. Explain effective decision-making processes (Aligns with NCFR #6)
  4. Identify and explain the impact of values and goals in the decision-making process (Aligns with NCFR #6)
  5. Summarize organizational and time management strategies (Aligns with NCFR #6)
  6. Apply basic financial management tools and principles to personal finances
  7. Inform individuals and families of consumer rights, responsibilities, and choices of action/advocacy (Aligns with NCFR #6)
  8. Compose and send a letter of complaint or support as a consumer to a company or small business. 
  9. Design a system to identify and control personal assets. 
  10. Examine: Examine institutions and human behavior through social and behavioral concepts, methods, or theories; (Aligns with SUU ELO)
  11. Analyze: Identify diverse perspectives to explore and examine social and behavioral phenomena; and (Aligns with SUU ELO)
  12. Apply: Apply discipline-relevant and scientific theories and methods to make inferences about or applications to social and behavioral phenomena at personal, institutional, or cultural levels. (Aligns with SUU ELO)

Course Requirements

Course Assessment Table

Course Assessments Course Outcomes Points
| Discussions  | Outcomes 2, 4, 6  | 75
| Assignments  | Outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8  | 515
| Exams  | Outcomes 1, 3, 5  | 400
| Total  | Outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8  | 990

Course Outline

The following are descriptions of the exams and assignments in class.  The headings to the assignments in the course are links to the actual assignment where more specific instructions can be found. 
  • There are 4 exams in this course.
  • Exams are monitored with Honorlock, an exam proctoring application.
  • A webcam is required to assist Honorlock in monitoring the integrity of your exams.
  • Each exam will consist of 50 multiple-choice questions.
  • You will have 60 minutes and TWO attempts to complete each exam. The highest score will be recorded.
  • You may NOT use your textbook or notes to complete the exams, and Honorlock video will monitor your exam.
  • There is a one-week grace period for submitting exams in case of personal or technical problems. 
  • Please do not panic if your exam is marked late and scored with 0.  It is automatic in Canvas and will be changed when you submit your exam, without penalty. 
  • Please note, if the exam is asking for a code, the Honorlock plugin needs to be reinstalled.
This assignment requires you create a self-introduction video and post it in the discusison board according to very specific instructions.

This assignment requires you to view and comment on your classmates' Selfie Introduction videos posted in the discussion board using Annoto tools.

This activity ensures that you will receive course announcements that I send out throughout this course.  

This activity will introduce and help you set up Honorlock in Canvas which is an online proctoring service that SUU use's with the 4 exams in this course.  You will also take a practice quiz to experience a quiz remotely proctored by Honorlock.

Your Consumer Habits
This assignment facilitates an increase in awareness of your current consumer habits and skills.

Discussion 1
Interact with classmates via discussion board to further explore textbook content and personal opinions.

Values & Goals
This assignment includes an interactive activity to assist you in identifying and prioritizing your personal goals and values.

Involved Consumer
This assignment provides information, training and practice in exercising your consumer rights and responsibilities including writing and sending a complaint or thank you letter as a consumer to a company or business.

Family Resources
This assignment provides a read and react exercise to an article about family resources  to familiarize you with the role of family resource management and division of labor.

Decision Making
This assignment provides an overview of the decision making process and application of the process across provided case studies.

Personal Data
This assignment reinforces the need to control access to personal data and consists of reflecting on the importance of keeping personal data distribution to a minimum, including the creation of a list of individuals and  companies that have your social security number and how they acquired it.

Discussion 2
This discussion requires you to interact with classmates  to further explore the  textbook content and personal opinion.

Your Wallet
This assignment emphasizes the need to create an inventory of financial items in your wallet and commitment to storing the document/inventory in a separate safe place to use for replacement/recovery  in case of loss or theft.

Time
This assignment is an exercise in tracking comprehensive use of your time, summarizing and reflecting on effective time management.  

Budget Assignment 1
The purpose of this assignment is to increase awareness of your personal finance habits.  You are required to track and evaluate income and expenses for one month, then reflect, evaluate and set goals.

Personal Property Inventory
This assignment requires you to create a system of inventory for personal property as proof of ownership in case of loss, theft or disaster. Creating a video inventory is an option for extra credit.

Discussion 3
This discussion requires you to interact with classmates  to further explore the  textbook content and personal opinion.

Auto Purchase
This assignment provides experience using Consumer Reports and other online resources to make the best decision when purchasing an automobile.

Financial History
This assignment provides an introspective look at your  financial management background and requires tracing your financial heritage and roots.

Consumer Fraud
This assignment increases awareness of consumer fraud prevention practices and identifies pitfalls to avoid.

Budget Assignment 2
This assignment teaches the importance of tracking  and evaluating income and expenses over time,  requiring evaluation of progress towards personal finance goals.

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

Late Policy / Make-Up Work

There is a one-week grace period for submitting assignments without penalty.  Please do not panic if your assignment is marked late and scored with 0.  It is automatic in Canvas and will update when it is graded, without penalty.

Exam Procedures
  • Exams are monitored with Honorlock, an exam proctoring application. A webcam is required.
  • Each exam consists of 50 multiple-choice questions with 60 minutes and two attempts; the highest score is recorded.
  • You may not use your textbook or notes during exams.
  • There is a one-week grace period for submitting exams in case of personal or technical problems. If an exam is marked late with a 0 in Canvas, it will be updated without penalty after submission.
  • If an exam prompts for a code, reinstall the Honorlock plugin.
Response Time & Feedback

It is my goal to respond to student messages within 3 business days and provide grades and feedback within 5-7 business days from the due date.

Assignment Submission Format

Many assignments in this course require you to use a provided form. It is critical that you use the provided form (not a re-created version) to receive credit.

  • All students have access to the Microsoft 365 Online Suite via the SUU Portal.
  • You can download and use it on your personal computer, or use the web version at office.com.
  • You must log in with your portal username@suu.edu when accessing Microsoft resources.
    • Do not use an email ending in @suumail.net.
    • If you have problems getting the software and/or keeping it current, contact the SUU Help Desk: 435-865-8200 or support@suu.edu.
Personal Information

This class is not designed for you to submit your personal data. That information will be collected and stored in a secure location of your choice. If you have questions about the personal information required for any assignments, please contact the instructor as soon as possible so we can discuss your concerns.

Attendance Policy

This is an asynchronous online course and therefore no synchronous attendance is counted. Your participation in the course activities, assignments, and exams are essentially your attendance.

Course Fees

Course Fees: $9.00 ( $3.00 per credit hour)

Technology and Support Resources

Library Support for Online Students: Distance Services

Canvas Information: Canvas is where course content, grades, and communication will reside for this course.

SUU Campus Resources and Services: Review this list of SUU Campus Resources and Services and the Student Code of Conduct. For more information on Canvas and other technologies, including Accessibility and Privacy statements, see Vendor Resources.

Grade Scheme

The following grading standards will be used in this class:
GradeRange
A | 100-94%
A- | 93-90%
B+ | 89-87%
B | 86-83%
B- | 82-80%
C+ | 79-77%
C | 76-73%
C- | 72-70%
D+ | 69-67%
D | 66-63%
D- | 62-60%
F | 59 and below

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.