Sample Syllabus: Critical Thinking

Sample Syllabus: Argument and Persuasion – Critical Thinking, Critical Reading and Critical Writing 1. Method & Course Description -----------------------------Clear thinking and clear writing are inextricably linked. In this course, we shall practice both skills simultaneously: there will be in-class practice exercises every period we meet, more lengthy out-of-class writing assignments and a final research paper of 10 pages. It’s an obvious fact, but obscured too often in university study, that competent writing doesn’t take place in an "interest-vacuum". In order to produce a quality document, one must engage the topic in terms of critical assessment and gathering of information regarding that topic, and one must also have a genuine interest in the subject of investigation. With our in-class exercises, we shall work to become proficient with the mechanics and technical aspects of clear writing. To do this, we shall consider short, direct pieces and evaluate their relative successes and shortcomings. But evaluation of the work of others is not our only activity; we shall spend time on relatively brief critical and creative activities to learn techniques of good writing and to hone critical thinking skills. Attendance and participation are essential – as should be reflected by the manner in which grades are assigned. Out-of-class assignments give students a chance to practice and assemble, in slow and deliberate fashion, the skills and techniques we shall have developed in class. An estimation of the quality the students' out-of-class assignments is vital feedback if a student is to come to be able to discriminate good writing from bad, but generating a large quantity of material is also vital. Just as in the world of sport, practice makes better, but perfect practice makes perfect. We aim toward perfect practice in and out of class in this course. The going can be tough, but the rewards are well worth the effort. Finally, students will write a 10-page final research paper which the out-of-class and in-class assignment will support. In the final research paper, students have the chance to evince all the skills we’ve developed over the semester. If students have completed all the in-class and out-of-class assignments, then the research paper should be much easier to write than if it had been done from scratch. 2. Instructor Information ------------------------Dr. Jesse Butler <dept. info> Appointments: Please set up an appointment if you're confused about something, need help getting started on an assignment or would like to receive feedback for what you've written. 3. Course Information --------------------A. Meeting Places & Times -------------------------

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Sample Syllabus: Argument and Persuasion – Critical Thinking, Critical Reading and Critical Writing <MTWRF>



B. Texts -------Required -------Lester Feigley The Brief Penguin Handbook Laurence Behrens and Leonard J. Rosen Writing and Reading across the Curriculum 10th ed. Course e-Packet [These books are on reserve at the Library -- visit the circulation desk.] C. Grades --------Grades are assigned based on performance on (1) in-class exercises #1 – #30, (2) bi-weekly out-of-class of assignments and (3) the 10-page final paper. In order to receive a passing grade, students must complete 26 out of the 30 in-class assignments, five (5) of the seven (7) out-ofclass assignments and must submit a final paper. Grades are determined based on the number of "points" a student earns over the course of the semester. Points are awarded for each of those assignments according to the following scheme: + For each in-class assignment successfully completed, two (2) points. + Out-of-class assignments are graded out of two (2) points. + The final paper is graded out of 26 points. Points are then tallied and letter grades are assigned based on the number of total points in accord with the following table: 90+ 85 80 75 70 60 Less

Points........A 89 Points........B+ 84 Points........B 79 Points........C+ 74 Points........C 69 Points........D that 60 Points...E

D. Feedback and Comments on Written Work ---------------------------------------If you'd like more discussion over what you've written, please set up an appointment to talk about your work. E. Classroom Conduct --------------------

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Sample Syllabus: Argument and Persuasion – Critical Thinking, Critical Reading and Critical Writing (1) We'll engage in discussion for much of our class time. In order to have a productive discussion, only one person may speak at a time. (2) Please be on time to class. (3) Please silence your cell phones before class. If your phone rings, don't answer it. (4) Anyone disrupting will be asked to leave. F. E-Mail Policy ---------------Only e-mail messages that are concise and relevant will receive a response. Don't expect an immediate answer. G. Academic Assistance ---------------------Free tutoring is available. Individual instruction to help improve reading and writing skills is available from the Reading and Writing Center. H. Special Needs ---------------Students requesting special accommodations must first register with the Dean of Students Office. I. Tentative Schedule --------------------+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++Monday+++++++Wednesday+++++++Friday++++ + + + + + + Week 1 + (date) + (date) + (8/31) + + + + + + + Basic informal logic + in-class + in-class + out-of+ + and fallacies + ex. #1 + ex. #2 + class ex. + + + + + #1 due + + + + + + +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++Monday+++++++Wednesday+++++++Friday++++ + + + + + + Week 2 + (date) + (date) + (date) + + + + + + + Pathos: An Editorial + in-class + in-class + TBA + + + ex. #3 + ex. #4 + + + + + + + + + + + + +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++Monday+++++++Wednesday+++++++Friday++++ + + + + + + Week 3 + (date) + (date) + (date) + + + + + + + Ethos: Placing Your + in-class + in-class + out-of+ + writing in a context + ex. #5 + ex. #6 + class ex. + + + + + #2 due + + + + + + +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++Monday+++++++Wednesday+++++++Friday++++ + + + + + + Week 4 + (date) + (date) + (date) + + + + + +

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Sample Syllabus: Argument and Persuasion – Critical Thinking, Critical Reading and Critical Writing + Logos I: Structure + in-class + in-class + TBA + + through logically + ex. #7 + ex. #8 + + + calculated aims + + + + + + + + + +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++Monday+++++++Wednesday+++++++Friday++++ + + + + + + Week 5 + (date) + (date) + (date) + + + + + + + Logos II: Critical + in-class + in-class + out-of+ + Analysis + ex. #9 + ex. #10 + class ex. + + + + + #3 due + + + + + + +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++Monday+++++++Wednesday+++++++Friday++++ + + + + + + Week 6 + (date) + (date) + (8/31) + + + + + + + Logos III: + in-class + in-class + TBA + + + ex. #11 + ex. #12 + + + Synthesis + + + + + + + + + +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++Monday+++++++Wednesday+++++++Friday++++ + + + + + + Week 7 + (date) + (date) + (date) + + + + + + + Choosing Good + in-class + in-class + out-of+ + Research Topics I + ex. #13 + ex. #14 + class ex. + + + + + #4 due + + + + + + +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++Monday+++++++Wednesday+++++++Friday++++ + + + + + + Week 8 + (date) + (date) + (date) + + + + + + + Choosing Good + in-class + in-class + TBA + + Research Topics II + ex. #15 + ex. #16 + + + + + + + + + + + + +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++Monday+++++++Wednesday+++++++Friday++++ + + + + + + Week 9 + (date) + (date) + (date) + + + + + + + Unity in and between + in-class + in-class + out-of+ + Paragraphs + ex. #17 + ex. #18 + class ex. + + + + + #5 due + + + + + + +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++Monday+++++++Wednesday+++++++Friday++++ + + + + + + Week 10 + (date) + (date) + (date) + + + + + + + Unity in and between + in-class + in-class + TBA + + Sections + ex. #19 + ex. #20 + + + + + + + + + + + + +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++Monday+++++++Wednesday+++++++Friday++++ + + + + + + Week 11 + (date) + (date) + (date) + + + + + + + Revisiting and + in-class + in-class + out-of+ + Revising I + ex. #21 + ex. #22 + class ex. +

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Sample Syllabus: Argument and Persuasion – Critical Thinking, Critical Reading and Critical Writing + + + + #6 due + + + + + + +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++Monday+++++++Wednesday+++++++Friday++++ + + + + + + Week 12 + (date) + (date) + (date) + + + + + + + Revisiting and + in-class + in-class + TBA + + Revising II + ex. #23 + ex. #24 + + + + + + + + + + + + +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++Monday+++++++Wednesday+++++++Friday++++ + + + + + + Week 13 + (date) + (date) + (date) + + + + + + + Proper Citation + in-class + in-class + out-of+ + + ex. #25 + ex. #26 + class ex. + + + + + #7 due + + + + + + +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++Monday+++++++Wednesday+++++++Friday++++ + + + + + + Week 14 + (date) + (date) + (date) + + + + + + + Final Paper Drafts + in-class + in-class + TBA + + and Peer-Review I + ex. #27 + ex. #28 + + + + + + + + + + + + +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++Monday+++++++Wednesday+++++++Friday++++ + + + + + + Week 15 + (date) + (date) + (date) + + + + + + + Final Paper Drafts + in-class + in-class + final + + and Peer-Review II + ex. #29 + ex. #30 + paper + + + + + due + + + + + + +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++Monday+++++++Wednesday+++++++Friday++++

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