Topic outline

  • COURSE INTRODUCTION

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    • Time: 22 hours
    • Free Certificate
    In this course, we explore the basics of financial literacy, emphasizing personal money management, financial planning, and investment strategies. Applications in personal finance include creating financial goals, budgeting and saving, consumer credit, loans and debt, personal bankruptcy, insurance, investment and retirement, mutual funds, the stock market, taxes, fraud, and sustainability.

    We will explore the foundational aspects of financial literacy and provide a rich, practical understanding that prepares learners to navigate financial decisions, economic uncertainties, and personal disruptions in a globalized world.

    The 2012 Standard and Poor's Global FinLit Survey discovered knowledge gaps among demographic groups. Men, young people, wealthy individuals, and bank account holders are more financially literate than their social counterparts – women, the poor and elderly, and those lacking bank accounts (the "unbanked").

    We discuss the connection between financial illiteracy and poverty. We can bridge this divide by sharing our research and investing in sustainable solutions. Students should use what they learn in the course with indigenous knowledge systems to affect meaningful change in their communities through education, capacity building, skills transfer, and advocacy.