Course Syllabus

Independent Study in Idaho

ISI Website | indepst@uidaho.edu | 208-885-6641

FCS 4480 Consumer Economic Issues

Sponsoring Institution: University of Idaho

3 Credits

Instructor Information

Course Instructor: Kelsie Smathers

  • Email: ksmathers@uidaho.edu
  • Phone: 208 596-0766
  • Office Hours: By appointment – please email to discuss
  • Copy the ISI office at indepst@uidaho.edu on all communications.

Kelsie Smathers currently lives in Moscow, ID with her husband, Samuel, and two kids, Dominic and Trinity. She spent the first half of her childhood roaming the woods of Big Fork, MT until her family relocated to Moscow. She began her undergraduate studies at the University of Idaho (UI) in Vocal Music Education but transferred to the more practical subject of Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS). FCS addresses a wide variety of topics such as human development, food science, personal finance, clothing/textile design, consumer economics, and family relationships.

After four years in undergrad followed by a short break from school, Kelsie decided to pursue a Masters of Science in Family and Consumer Sciences with a focus on personal finance education. She received this degree from the UI in May of 2016, eight months after having her first child. Since the beginning of her career in academia Kelsie has assisted with and taught a variety of course for the UI: “Personal and Family Finance and Management,” “Consumer Economic Issues,” “Adulting: Life, Love & Money,” “Housing America’s Families,” and “Financial Counseling and Debt Management.”

At this stage in life, Kelsie spends most of her time managing two little ones and lesson planning. Her family enjoys frequent trips to the park, never-ending home improvement projects, watching movies, and meal planning. In her spare time, Kelsie teaches harp lessons and cleans houses for precious coffee money.

Course Description

Consumer economic issues, including consumers in the marketplace, the consumer movement, rights and remedies, advocacy, public policy, decision making, buying, credit, banking, insurance, clothing, health care, food, housing, and investments.
Prerequisites: Econ 201, 202, 272 or FCS 105; or Permission

This course is very practical in nature. It is designed to help you become an informed consumer and be confident in your marketplace decisions. It will also give you the tools you need to assert your rights and solve consumer problems. Assignments are applicable to real-life and exams focus on understanding the concepts of consumer economic issues and behaviors.

Course Learning Outcomes

  • The primary objective of this course is to help you become an educated consumer regarding your marketplace decisions and your consumer rights.
  • Each Lesson has specific objectives related to the covered material

Teacher Education and Accreditation Standards

For those of you who are educators or working on an endorsement or certification, the following FCS teacher education accreditation standards may be met by this course. To be certain, check with your State Department of Education.

Standard VI – Consumer Behavior

  • The program shall require demonstrated competence in the knowledge of consumer behavior and experience in managing individual and family resources to achieve goals at various stages of the life cycle.

Standard VIII – Consumer Health Issues

  • The program shall require demonstrated competence in the knowledge of consumer health issues and the selection of health care products and professional health services.

Standard IX – Conservation

  • The program shall require demonstrated competence in the knowledge of conservation resource and environmental issues in relation to family and community health.

Required Materials

Goldsmith, Elizabeth B. Consumer Economics Issues and Behaviors. 3rd ed., Routledge, 2016. ISBN-13: 978-1138846586, ISBN-10: 1138846589

Course Rules and Requirements

Assignment Guidelines

  • Students may submit up to 2 assignments at once. Students may submit up tot 2 assignments in one week.
  • This course has 6 graded assignments, 9 self-study assignments, and 4 exams.  
  • All assignments are viewed as a professional example of your understanding of the course material.
  • All assignments are expected to be free of spelling and grammatical errors. It is advised you follow APA style guidelines when composing the discussion portions of the assignments.
  • Lessons 3, 5, 6, 7, 10, 11, 14, and 15 are “self-study” lessons. There are no graded assignments for these lessons, but you are still responsible for the material covered. You are also expected to review and test your understanding by completing the discussion questions at the end of every lesson. Discussion questions are for your use and are not turned in or graded.
  • Keep a copy of every assignment submitted. Write your name, V number, course subject and number, and assignment number on every submission.
  • Assignments should be saved as a .doc, .docX, or PDF unless otherwise specified in the assignment instructions. If you are using a Mac and use Pages, be sure to convert your assignment before submitting.
  • Attach your assignment file under the appropriate assignment link in Canvas. If you have more than one file to attach, be sure to attach both and then submit. You are not allowed a second submission attempt.
  • Do not copy and paste your work into the “submission” or “comment” box in Canvas. If you are unsure how to do this contact Canvas Help or your instructor as soon as possible.
  • You will typically receive graded assignments within one week after the date of receipt by the instructor.
  • The final course grade is issued after all assignments and exams have been graded.

Exam Guidelines

  • Exams are closed book and notes.
  • All exams are timed at 2.5 hours
  • You must wait for grades and comments on assignments before taking subsequent exams.

Grade Information

The course grade will be based upon the following considerations:

Assignments

  • Extra Credit = 10 pts
  • Assignment 1 = 25 pts
  • Assignment 2 = 50 pts
  • Assignment 3 = 25 pts
  • Assignment 4 = 25 pts
  • Assignment 5 = 25 pts
  • Assignment 6 = 25 pts

175 total assignment points possible

Exams

  • Exam 1 = 100 pts
  • Exam 2 = 100 pts
  • Exam 3 = 100 pts
  • Exam 4 = 100 pts

400 total exam points possible

575 total course points (without extra credit)

Grading Scale

  • A = 90% to 100%
  • B = 80% to 89%
  • C = 70% to 79%
  • D = 60% to 69%
  • F = 59% or less

The final course grade is issued after all assignments and exams have been graded.

Course Policies

Refer to the ISI Policies for the most current policies and procedures, including information on setting up accounts, student confidentiality, exams, transcripts, course exchanges, refunds, academic integrity, library resources, disability support and other services.