Course Descriptions for Financial Literacy

In this section:

  • Financial Literacy

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COURSE DESCRIPTIONS – FINANCIAL LITERACY (PDF)

Financial Literacy

CREDITS REQUIRED FOR GRADUATION

  • 1 credit is required for graduation from the Dubuque Community School District.
  • Credits earned beyond the requirement are automatically counted as Elective credits.

FINANCIAL LITERACY
FIN245

DURATION: semester course
CREDITS: 1
OPEN TO: juniors
PREREQUISITE: none

Financial Literacy is a course designed for all students, whether going straight to work after high school or pursuing a degree. This course will allow students to actively explore timely financial topics personalized to their needs. Topics include: career decisions and income, savings, financial responsibility and money management, consumer awareness of the power of marketing on buying decisions, credit and debt, investments, wealth-building and post-secondary planning, insurance and risk-management, buying, selling, and renting advantages and disadvantages, and real-estate.

Alignment to the Iowa Academic Standards for Social Studies: Financial Literacy Grades 9-12: The financial literacy standards promote the goal of financial capability. The standards focus on setting goals, saving and spending, credit and debt, investing, and measuring financial risk.

COMMENT: All students must take this course during their junior year.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT ECONOMICS
SOC531 (Sem 1), SOC532 (Sem 2)

DURATION: year course
CREDITS: 2
OPEN TO: juniors and seniors
NCAA: approved
PREREQUISITE: instructor recommendation

AP Economics is a yearlong course that delivers both AP Microeconomics (Fall) and AP Macroeconomics (Spring). AP Economics develops content knowledge and skills through models, interpretations, policies, manipulation, core principles, big ideas, and numerical analysis. When both semesters are taken students receive credit for Financial Literacy and an elective credit.

    • AP Microeconomics
      Have you ever wondered why prices fluctuate for online retailers depending on the time and day? Or why people say, “time is money”? In AP Microeconomics, you’ll explore the answers to these questions as you learn the principles of economics that govern the actions of individuals and businesses. You’ll also explore concepts such as supply and demand, elasticity, and market structures to gain a deeper understanding of how economic decisions shape our world.
    • AP Macroeconomics
      Have you ever wondered why the national debt is so large or why interest rates are considered to be so important? You’ll explore the answers to these questions as you learn how the economy works as a whole in AP Macroeconomics. As part of your studies, you’ll use graphs, charts, and data to analyze, describe, and explain economic concepts.

Alignment to College Board’s Advanced Placement Macroeconomics Course and Exam Description, College Board’s Advanced Placement Microeconomics Course and Exam Description, and the Iowa Academic Standards for Social Studies: Financial Literacy Grades 9-12: The financial literacy standards promote the goal of financial capability. The standards focus on setting goals, saving and spending, credit and debt, investing, and measuring financial risk.

COMMENT: This course meets the state financial literacy requirement with completion
of both semesters. When both semesters are taken students receive credit for Financial
Literacy and an elective credit.