Course credit
3 credit hours
Course description
An analytical approach to the consumption of durables, goods, services, and housing; developing competencies for consumer decisions and actions in a global economy. Field trips required.
Delivery
This course is available in a print-based format. Mail completed assignments to the GIS Office. We will forward them to the instructor for grading.
Prerequisites
UNI students: junior standing
Instructor
Barbara Pershing, Professor Emerita
Evaluation
15 assignments, 3 exams
Overview
The purpose of this course is to help you become a better consumer.
The text and the course applications assignments place an emphasis on the existence of consumer choice and the costs and benefits that must be weighed when making any rational consumer decision.
The treatment of economics is oriented toward consumer choice and is not covered in detail. The view point of the consumer and the ways in which market forces shape consumer opinion is the focus of the discussion on economic issues. We live in a global society, therefore, global issues related to consumer decision making are addressed.
The scope of the content is broad. Along with the traditional areas of consumer content, such as acquisition of goods, services, and durables, consumer rights and responsibilities, and consumer recourse, issues that will carry us as consumers into the 21st century such as the effects of changing lifestyles, technology, environmental concerns, fraud, and ethical issues are included in the text and in the course assignments.
The lessons in this guided independent study course do not always follow the sequence of chapters in the textbook. The four basic consumer rights-the right to choose, the right to information, the right to be heard, and the right to safety are an organizing framework for this course as is the Conceptual Framework for Consumer Education. The Conceptual Framework with the Concept Numbering System is a comprehensive list of concepts that comprise this area.
More emphasis is placed on some areas of content than others. For example, Concept 2.2 Financial Resource Management and Decisions is the focus of another course 31F:077 (also a guided independent study course) which many students of this course also take in the Department of Design, Family and Consumer Science, therefore, these concepts are not covered in depth in this course. Financial management concepts are included in several lessons for the benefit of those students who have not taken a personal finance course. For those who have, this is an opportunity to reinforce this information in your personal financial management.
Supplemental information such as content outlines included with some lessons are taken from the instructors lecture notes and either expand on content in the text or are additional information for your study.
A guided independent study course restricts person-to-person interactions. This can make understanding what is expected of you more difficult. Because of this, you must be very careful about how you complete your assignments. Present your very best work in order for the instructor to evaluate your understanding of the material covered.
Exams
There are three exams, each worth 100 points for a total of 300 points to be taken after the 5th, 10th, and 15th lessons. Each exam covers specific chapters and content. Exams will consist of objective questions worth one point each and one or two essay questions included in each exam.
Textbook(s)
Economic Issues for Consumers. 7th Edition, Miller and Stafford, 1994.
Texts are available from the vendor of your choice or
University Book and Supply
1009 West 23rd Street, Cedar Falls, IA 50613
Phone: 319-266-7581 or 800-728-7581
Fax: 319-277-1266
E-mail: bookstore@panthersupply.com
To enroll
ONLINE
GIS enrollment information
IN PERSON
UNI Continuing Education
2637 Hudson Road (corner of 27th St. and Hudson Rd.)
Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0223
Campus map (Look for Building 31)
For more information
Cindy Klodt, Guided Independent Study
UNI Continuing Education
319-273-2123 or 800-772-1746
ContinuingEd@uni.edu