COMM 2730

Take this class if you really want to learn personal finance in a classroom setting. All of this information exists out there without the stresses of a class if you search for it. I understand that's not the easiest thing to do, so I see the appeal of the class, and Prof. Kelly is (generally) warm and helpful, but I can't say how helpful the class was other than learning about some of the various personal finance options that I will have as I continue onward in life. Participation is requested (but not required), but be sure you say something smart. She got quite condescending a few times over the semester if someone said something that didn't align with her financial recommendation. This occurred both in the classroom and on the group project feedback (more on that).

Grading: 25% SmartBook readings, 25% McGraw Hill Connect problems, 15% midterm, 15% final, 20% group project. I know people take this class partly because they want an A. Do the homework. It is incredibly easy, the internet is very helpful and has many resources if you don't know how to do the homework problems, and the readings are rather interesting and informative, and don't take very long. The homework is a free 50% of your grade. The midterm and final were often much more abstract than the material discussed in class, and we were given no guidance how to prepare for them. They were take-home open-note open-book multiple choice exams, but they were not particularly enjoyable. Immediate scoring is nice, but, there are nicer things. The group project was a 3-4 person "research" project about personal finance benefits offered by companies of your choosing, with separate small submissions throughout the semester. There was no feedback on the early submissions, and only the final submission is graded, so there is no transparency in what the group can improve. Her feedback on the final product also centered around her financial recommendations and not the thought that our group had put into our work. It did not consume much effort at all, but it was also not a good use of time.

This can be a helpful class. This can be a stressful class. This is not a guaranteed A, so don't treat it as one. Prof. Kelly can be a very nice professor. She is very helpful in office hours, and she clearly loves her job, but is not a good lecturer and does not make the material compelling in a way that it should.