Course Description - Dr. Julie Chisholm



“Some people would rather die than think.” --Bertrand RussellLearning without thought is useless; thought without learning is dangerous. --ConfuciusCalifornia State University, Maritime AcademySchool of Letters & SciencesDepartment of Culture & CommunicationEGL 220 *Critical Thinking* Spring 2020Instructor:Dr. Julie ChisholmOffice Location:FAC 216Telephone:(408) 458-6288Email:jchisholm@csum.eduOffice Hours:MW 11:00-12:00, and by appt.Class Days/Time:MW 12:30-1:45Classroom:CLS 203Prerequisites:EGL 100GE Studies Category:Area A: English Language Communication and Critical Thinking (To satisfy this requirement, students must receive a C or higher in the course)Course DescriptionIntroduces critical thinking skills with emphasis on examining structures or elements of thought implicit in argumentation: deductive and inductive reasoning; logical fallacies; implications, assumptions, and consequences; denotative and connotative elements in language; and rhetorical modes and methods. Student Learning Objectives and OutcomesUpon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to: Identify and assess the strength of inferences, assumptions, premises and conclusions in arguments (in both your own and others’ arguments)Employ valid inductive and deductive reasoningDistinguish sound arguments from faulty onesAcknowledge and refute logical fallaciesUse evidence to support claims and make inferences, and recognize and use effective reasons to support themUse self-assessment to enhance awareness of one’s strengths and weaknesses as a critical thinkerDevelop higher-order thinking processes to solve problems, Recognize and evaluate the connections between language and thoughtUnderstand causal reasoning and use this reasoning for solving problemsThese objectives align with the following Program-level Outcomes of the Department of Culture and Communication:Develop a “humanized” awareness, appreciating the arts and being able to discuss them intelligently; thinking critically about human institutions and their importance; learning about psychological, social, aesthetic and cultural processes and how they are constructedWrite and speak effective undergraduate-level prose in English with emphasis on mechanics, organization and the rhetorical situationLearn independently, taking responsibility for one’s educational experience; exhibit intellectual curiosity; develop a commitment to lifelong learning & growth, and make?judicious use of mentors, peers and other resources where mit to critical and creative thinking and expression, and be able to apply these skills flexibly to new situations. Required Texts/Readings Course Handbook & Reader (two separate PDF packets posted on BrightSpace). You will need to print both of these by the dates indicated on the syllabus. Assignments and Grading PolicyYour final grade will be determined as follows:Homework (includes out-of-class work, completion of in-class essays and on-time first draft of compare/contrast paper)30%Rhetorical terms quiz10%Final draft, compare/contrast paper 20%Advertisement presentation10%Participation (attendance, being on time, participating in discussion)10%Final exam20%Classroom ProtocolI will be keeping attendance records; you can’t do well in the class without attending. More than three absences will have a severe impact on your final grade. Six absences may result in an administrative withdrawal from the course (the equivalent of an “F” grade). If you miss class, it is your responsibility to get any handouts or notes for the lecture you missed; ask classmates before asking me. Repeatedly coming to class late will also negatively affect your participation grade.Students who fail to come to their mid-term conference will be given two absences.All work done out of class must be typed.It is important that the first draft of your compare/contrast essay be on time. Failure to comply will result in a low or failing final draft grade. You will receive a “hypothetical” grade on the first draft, which will not count toward your final grade, but should give you an(other)idea of how much revision needs to be done. Final drafts must include the original first (graded) draft and any sources you use.Late final drafts will be penalized 1/3 of a grade per day (e.g. A to A-). Note: I do not accept emailed assignments: hard (and stapled) copies only. Academic Integrity (stolen from Dr. Amy Parsons)The most common form of academic dishonesty in writing classes is plagiarism, which can take many forms such as failure to cite sources, or failure to appropriately paraphrase source material. If you are cutting and pasting someone else’s language without quotation marks and proper attribution, you are plagiarizing. Other kinds of academic dishonesty include cheating on tests, double-submitting work from another class without permission, turning in work completed by another person, or helping another student commit such acts. I will refer all suspected cases of academic dishonesty to the campus disciplinary board. If this committee affirms my suspicion, you will get an automatic zero on the assignment in question and depending on the severity of the case, you may also receive an automatic F for the semester. ResourcesBrightSpaceCopies of the course materials such as the syllabus, major assignment handouts, etc. may be found on Brightspace, which is the course management software used for Cal Maritime courses. You are responsible for regularly checking there for course updates. To access BrightSpace, go the CSUMA homepage and sign in with your CSUMA user ID (all lowercase) and password. Click on the Brightspace icon and you will see this course along with the other courses you are presently enrolled. I may send important course information to the class over the mailing list provided by Brightspace. Missing crucial class information due to failing to check your messages is not an excuse for missing an assignment.Office Hours and EmailI hold weekly office hours as a resource to clarify any questions or concerns you have about the course. I am also happy to respond to any questions or concerns you have over email or text, usually within 24 hours.Campus Policy in Compliance with the American Disabilities ActCSUMA is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to students with documented disabilities. Students who believe they may need accommodations are encouraged to contact the Disability Services Office (DSO) in the Student Engagement & Academic Success Center via email disabilityservices@csum.edu, preferably within the first two weeks of class. The DSO is located in Laboratory Building Room 102. For more information, see our website: Technology Resources Computer labs for student use are detailed below. Please see the postings outside the labs to see when classes are scheduled for these locations. Otherwise, hours are listed as below.Lab NameLocationHoursClassroom Computer LabClassroom Building Room 10524/7 Access via Portpass.Lab 101Laboratory Building Room 101Open while building is open.Student Engagement & Academic Success (SEAS) CenterSEAS is available to all students for learning, testing and accommodations for a variety of services including wrap-around accessibility support. Services provided through the SEAS include: Reduced distraction testing spaces TutoringAccess to assistive Technologies/SoftwareProctored testing Accessibility coordination with other departments on campusEGL 220 Syllabus*DateThemeWhat’s Happening in Class TodayHomeworkM 1/6Deconstructing the selfIntroduction to course. What is critical thinking?Complete “Habits of a Critical Thinker” exercise.W 1/8Deconstructing the selfAesthetic malnutrition vs. mental disequilibrium. The nature of Truth, Facts and the Real World. Plot your dot on Political and bring it to class. Bring Handbook to class from now on. M 1/13The rhetorical situationEverything’s an argument. Terms introduced.Study terms.W 1/15Street-level rhetoric (visual)Terms introduced via advertisement. Ad presentations assigned.Study terms.M 1/20MLK HolidayPrepare for quiz.W 1/22Terms quiz. Read “Identifying Niches” in Course Handbook and prepare for presentation.M 1/27Visual rhetoricAd presentations.W 1/29Visual rhetoricAd presentations.M 2/3Visual rhetoricAd presentations.W 2/5Visual rhetoricAd presentations.Prepare for in-class essay #1.M 2/10Visual rhetoricIn-class essay #1.Bring Reader to class from now on.W 2/12Case study orientationAnalysis of essay #1. Cartoons discussion in Reader.Read “The Backstory” section in Reader. M 2/17Case study orientationDiscussion of macro-issue. Read through the “Pro” section in Reader.W 2/19Reading rhetoricallyDiscussion. Who are the stakeholders, and what is their language?Read through the “Con” section in Reader.M 2/24Reading rhetoricallyDiscussion, continued.W 2/26Reading rhetoricallyDiscussion, continued. Compare/contrast essay assigned.Locate articles.M 3/2Information fluencyGuest speaker: information fluency librarian.Locate articles & bring hard copies to next class.W 3/4Articles due. Review terms in preparation for essay #2.M 3/9Writing rhetorical analysesIn-class essay #2.Finish in-class essay #2 if necessary.W 3/11Writing rhetorical analysesDiscussion of in-class essay #2. Work on compare/contrast paper.M 3/16MidtermIn-class midterm reflectionWork on compare/contrast paper.W 3/18Writing rhetorical analysesIn-class essay #3Finish in-class essay #3 if necessary.Writing rhetorical analysesDiscussion of in-class essay #3. Work on compare/contrast paper.M 3/23Writing rhetorical analysesIn-class essay #4.Finish in-class essay #4 if necessary.W 3/25Writing rhetorical analysesDiscussion of in-class essay #4. Sign up for conferences. Work on compare/contrast paper.M 3/30Spring BreakW 4/1Spring BreakM 4/6ConferencesFirst draft of compare/contrast essay due at 8:00 a.m. to BrightSpace.Meet in my office (FAC 216).W 4/8ConferencesMeet in my office. (F 4/10)ConferencesMeet in my office.M 4/13Writing rhetorical analysesIn-class essay #5.Finish in-class essay #5, if necessary.W 4/15Writing rhetorical analysesDiscussion of in-class essay #5. Writing rhetorical analysesIn-class essay #5.M 4/20Circling back to critical thinkingFinish final draft of compare/contrast essay.W 4/22Prep for final examReview. Final draft of essay due.Prep for final exam. TBDFinal exam. *Subject to change on short notice. ................
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