FIN310 • Course Hub Index

Two-track course: Part I — Money & Banking and Part II — Financial Markets & Institutions. Reference site from the previous year class: https://www.jufinance.com/fin310_24f/
Theme:

Course Basics & Projects

Syllabus (On-Page)

Cross-listed with FIN 310. Credit cannot be awarded for both ECON 310 and FIN 310.

Meeting Information

Section: ECON 310 • 103Z • 25FALL

When/Where: TR 12:30–1:45 PM · Room SIJU137

Instructor: Maggie Foley (mfoley3@ju.edu)

Office: DCOBT 118A · Office Hours: Mon–Thu 2–3 PM & by appt.

Texts & Materials

Money, Banking, and Financial Markets, Cecchetti & Schoenholtz, 6e (2020), McGraw-Hill Irwin. ISBN 978-1260571363.

Lecture integrates textbook, primary sources, and discussion.

Course Outcomes

  • Describe U.S. financial markets and instruments
  • Explain risk and its role in decisions
  • Identify drivers of interest rates
  • Explain stock market efficiency foundations
  • Understand basic derivatives
  • Compare intermediation vs. direct finance
  • Articulate current monetary policy & effects
  • Use standard financial terminology
Grading & Coursework
ComponentWeight
Two Mid-Term Exams40%
Final Exam20%
Term Project10%
Homework20%
Quizzes (T/F at end of each class; up to 6 misses allowed)10%

Exams: Closed-book/notes; mostly new material but cumulative concepts may reappear.

Quizzes: End of each class; also used for attendance. Up to 6 misses without penalty.

Homework: Due at start of class; legible and done individually unless stated.

Make-ups: With documentation (doctor, coach, Student Life, or university official); notify instructor in advance when possible.

Electronics: Laptops/tablets/phones generally not allowed unless required for an activity.

Extra Credit: Max 5 points across opportunities announced by the instructor.

Weekly Schedule (subject to change)
  • 8/19 — Introduction
  • 8/21 — Ch.15–18 Federal Reserve & Monetary Policy I
  • 8/26 — Ch.15–18 Federal Reserve & Monetary Policy II
  • 8/28 — Ch.15–18 Federal Reserve & Monetary Policy III
  • 9/2 — Ch.11–14 M0, M1, M2
  • 9/4 — Ch.11–14 Banks & Banking System I
  • 9/9 — Ch.11–14 Banks & Banking System II
  • 9/11 — Review
  • 9/16 — Ch.2 What is Money I
  • 9/18 — Ch.2 What is Money II
  • 9/23 — First Mid-Term Exam
  • 9/25 — Ch.3 Financial Instrument, Market & Institution I
  • 9/30 — Ch.3 Financial Instrument, Market & Institution II
  • 10/2 — Ch.5 Diversification
  • 10/7 — Ch.9 Options
  • 10/9 — Ch.8 Stock Market
  • 10/14 — Ch.8 Mutual Fund
  • 10/16 — Ch.6 Bond Market I
  • 10/21 — Ch.6 Bond Market II
  • 10/23 — Ch.7 Ratings, Term Structure, Yield Curve I
  • 10/28 — Ch.7 Ratings, Term Structure, Yield Curve II
  • 10/30 — Second Mid-Term Exam
  • 11/4 — Ch.9 Futures Contract
  • 11/6 — Ch.10 International Finance
  • 11/11 — Ch.10 International Finance
  • 11/13 — Intro to Blockchain, Bitcoin & Ethereum I
  • 11/18 — Intro to Blockchain, Bitcoin & Ethereum II
  • 11/20 — Review
  • 11/22 — Final Exam 3:00–5:30 PM & Term Project Due

Exam Solutions

First Midterm — Solution

Administered in class (54 T/F; last 4 ungraded). Solution provided as an HTML/JS page.

Open Solution (HTML)

Second Midterm (10/14/2025)

Covered through: 10/14/2025 Sessions 5–9

Administered in class (54 T/F; last 4 ungraded). Study guide and solutions (solutions posted after exam).

📗 Study Guide

Bank basics, regulation, fractional reserve, credit unions, failures.

Open Study Guide

🗂️ Solutions

Posted after the in-class exam.

Open Solution (HTML)

Final Exam — Solution

Released after the in-class exam.

Open Solution (HTML)

Trading Game Tools (FINVIZ + MarketWatch)

Use these for the class MarketWatch game. Open an app, pick candidates in Finviz, then size the trade properly.

Featured Video

MarketWatch game walkthrough

Short-Only Scanner (App)

Daily shorts with presets, risk tool, checklist.

Open Short App

Long-Only Position Builder (App)

Fundamentals + technical entries, sector mix planner.

Open Long App

MarketWatch Game Website

Create/join your class game (Virtual Stock Exchange).

Open MarketWatch Games

FINVIZ Screener

Run scans, then use the apps above for sizing & diversification.

Open FINVIZ

How to Win the MarketWatch Game

  • Risk 1% per trade (use the app calculator). Journal each trade.
  • Diversify (cap ≈ 25% per sector). Avoid crowding one theme.
  • Entries: Long—buy dips in uptrends; Short—fade weak bounces.
  • News check: Don’t short fresh strong catalysts; ride positive drift on longs.
  • Protect winners: Take partials; trail stops near support/resistance.

Class Game Rooms

Game - FIN310 25 Fall (Live) (have fun)

Part I — Money & Banking

Session 1 The Federal Reserve

Intro, short history, role, structure, 2010 chair (Bernanke), JU 2011 visit, videos, mini-quiz.

Open Session 1

Session 2 Monetary Policy

Fed funds rate, OMOs, discount window, IORB, QE/QT, transmission, statements/minutes, quiz.

Open Session 2

Session 3 What Is Money?

Money vs. income/wealth, M0/M1/M2, deposits & money creation, velocity basics, quiz.

Open Session 3

Session 4 Crypto & Stablecoins

Blockchain basics, BTC/ETH, stablecoin types & risks (fiat-backed/crypto/algorithmic), policy, quiz.

Open Session 4

Part II — Banks & Money/Payments

Session 5 Banking System

Overview of how modern banks operate: balance sheet basics, capital & liquidity, deposit insurance (FDIC), supervision, and lender-of-last-resort. Includes quiz and examples.

Open Session 5

Session 6 Banking Regulations

U.S. and global bank regulation history (post-2008, post-2018), Basel accords, capital & liquidity rules, stress tests, resolution and “living wills.”

Open Session 6

Session 7 Fractional Reserve Banking

Step-by-step T-accounts, geometric money multiplier, real-world frictions (excess reserves, currency drain, capital limits) and interactive simulator game with quiz.

Open Session 7

Session 8 Discussion Session

Structured debates on Too-Big-to-Fail, stablecoins vs banks, “start-a-bank?”, and "what to do if my bank fails tomorrow" scenarios. Students pick sides, reveal explanations, and see final instructor verdicts.

Open Session 8

Session 9 Credit Unions & VyStar

Member-owned credit unions, NCUA insurance, field of membership, and a local case study on VyStar (Jacksonville). Includes eligibility checker, coverage calculator, and quiz.

Open Session 9

Part III — Markets & Trading Applications

Hands‑on modules focused on instruments, selection frameworks, and hedging. One topic per session.

Session 10 Commodities, Gold & ETFs

History (Bretton Woods → 1971), ETF selection (GLD/IAU/GLDM), COMEX futures (GC/MGC), drivers & interactive labs.

Open Session 10

Session 11 Futures & Hedging (Deep Dive)

Contract specs, margin & P/L, basis & roll, hedge ratios (β‑hedge), case studies (airline fuel, jeweler, exporter).

Open Session 11

Session 12 Mutual Funds & Selection

Share classes, fee math, active vs. passive, factor/sector funds, screening workflow, common pitfalls.

Open Session 12

Session 13 FX Determinants

PPP & interest parity, real rates and terms‑of‑trade, capital flows, interventions; simple FX hedge demos.

Open Session 13

Session 14 Commodities (Ex‑Gold) & Macro

Energy, ags, and metals basics; term structures (contango/backwardation), seasonal patterns, macro links.

Open Session 14

Disclaimer: All materials are developed and provided independently via jufinance.com. Feedback and suggestions are welcome.