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>
<contact info>
<office hour 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

-------------------------
1
<MTWRF> <time> <place>
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-of-
class 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+ Points........A
85 - 89 Points........B+
80 - 84 Points........B
75 - 79 Points........C+
70 - 74 Points........C
60 - 69 Points........D
Less 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
--------------------
2
(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 +
+ + + + +
+ + + + +
+ Week 2 + (date) + (date) + (date) +
+ + + + +
+ Pathos: An Editorial + in-class + in-class + TBA +
+ + ex. #3 + ex. #4 + +
+ + + + +
+ + + + +
+ + + + +
+ + + + +
+ Ethos: Placing Your + in-class + in-class + out-of- +
+ writing in a context + ex. #5 + ex. #6 + class ex. +
+ + + + #2 due +
+ + + + +
+ + + + +
+ + + + +
3
+ Logos I: Structure + in-class + in-class + TBA +
+ through logically + ex. #7 + ex. #8 + +
+ calculated aims + + + +
+ + + + +
+ + + + +
+ + + + +
+ Logos II: Critical + in-class + in-class + out-of- +
+ Analysis + ex. #9 + ex. #10 + class ex. +
+ + + + #3 due +
+ + + + +
+ + + + +
+ Week 6 + (date) + (date) + (8/31) +
+ + + + +
+ Logos III: + in-class + in-class + TBA +
+ + ex. #11 + ex. #12 + +
+ Synthesis + + + +
+ + + + +
+ + + + +
+ + + + +
+ Choosing Good + in-class + in-class + out-of- +
+ Research Topics I + ex. #13 + ex. #14 + class ex. +
+ + + + #4 due +
+ + + + +
+ + + + +
+ + + + +
+ Choosing Good + in-class + in-class + TBA +
+ Research Topics II + ex. #15 + ex. #16 + +
+ + + + +
+ + + + +
+ + + + +
+ + + + +
+ Unity in and between + in-class + in-class + out-of- +
+ Paragraphs + ex. #17 + ex. #18 + class ex. +
+ + + + #5 due +
+ + + + +
+ + + + +
+ + + + +
+ Unity in and between + in-class + in-class + TBA +
+ Sections + ex. #19 + ex. #20 + +
+ + + + +
+ + + + +
+ + + + +
+ + + + +
+ Revisiting and + in-class + in-class + out-of- +
+ Revising I + ex. #21 + ex. #22 + class ex. +
4
+ + + + #6 due +
+ + + + +
+ + + + +
+ + + + +
+ Revisiting and + in-class + in-class + TBA +
+ Revising II + ex. #23 + ex. #24 + +
+ + + + +
+ + + + +
+ + + + +
+ + + + +
+ Proper Citation + in-class + in-class + out-of- +
+ + ex. #25 + ex. #26 + class ex. +
+ + + + #7 due +
+ + + + +
+ + + + +
+ + + + +
+ Final Paper Drafts + in-class + in-class + TBA +
+ and Peer-Review I + ex. #27 + ex. #28 + +
+ + + + +
+ + + + +
+ + + + +
+ + + + +
+ Final Paper Drafts + in-class + in-class + final +
+ and Peer-Review II + ex. #29 + ex. #30 + paper +
+ + + + due +
+ + + + +

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Sample Syllabus: Argument and Persuasion – Critical Thinking,

Critical Reading and Critical Writing

Dr. Jesse Butler

<office hour info>

Appointments: Please set up an appointment if you're confused

A. Meeting Places & Times

<MTWRF> <time> <place>

Lester Feigley The Brief Penguin Handbook

[These books are on reserve at the Library -- visit the circulation

Grades are assigned based on performance on (1) in-class exercises #1 –

+ 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.

D. Feedback and Comments on Written Work

Free tutoring is available. Individual instruction to help improve

Students requesting special accommodations must first register

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