Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Summer 2025 - FASS 225 D100

Special Topics in Basic Data Analysis in the Arts and Social Sciences (1)

Personal Finance

Class Number: 3608

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    May 12 – Jun 13, 2025: Tue, 10:30 a.m.–1:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    15 units.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Introduction to real-world cases of research problem identification and data analysis in the arts and social sciences. No previous experience required. Students may take this course for credit up to three times if a different topic is taught. Grading will be on a pass/fail basis. Students with credit for FASS 208, FASS 210, or FASS 211 may not take this course for further credit unless a different topic is offered.

COURSE DETAILS:

Selected Topics: Personal Finance for Students

Are you interested in taking control of your financial future and making informed decisions about your money?

In this course, you'll gain practical skills such as budgeting, saving, investing, and debt management, all while learning from the mistakes and successes of the instructor, who has experienced the ups and downs of personal finance firsthand, from being scammed and wiped out financially to building a successful business and retirement portfolio. By making, but learning from, many mistakes, he has developed a wealth of knowledge and strategies for managing money effectively. 

You will also have the opportunity to explore various investment strategies and financial instruments and learn how to evaluate and choose the best options for your personal financial goals.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

  • How to save money effectively and the power of compound interest.
  • Smart spending (appreciating vs. depreciation assets) and living within your means (budgeting).
  • Delayed gratification and investing as a way of building wealth.
  • Different storages of wealth: gold, real-estate, crypto-currencies (NFTs, Bitcoin).
  • Safeguarding and improving credit.
FASS 225 D100 runs for 5 weeks (sessions on May 13, 20, 27, June 3, 10). The first session is 1 hour, the rest of 4 sessions are 3 hours each. This is a 1 unit/credit course.

You can take more than one FASS Forward 1 credit course, as long as the topic is different. See the other courses here. 

Grading

  • Grading is pass/fail, based on: Attendance; weekly in-class quizzes; homework 100%

NOTES:

This FASS Forward course is delivered entirely in-person. It is designed to improve your skills for future success and work in this class is expected to be of high quality. A competency-based grading system will be used to assess your academic performance and active participation in all learning activities. That means only a P (pass) or F (fail) will appear on your transcript. There is no numerical equivalent for the final grade, and it does not affect either your grade point average or cumulative grade point average.

  • P (pass) means that you have demonstrated your competency in relation to the learning objectives, met all the criteria for the course, and demonstrated the skills you have acquired.
  • F (fail) means that you do not receive credit for the course.

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

All reading material will be available online through website links on Canvas.

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.

To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit: 


RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.