SYLLABUS HANDOUT



Metropolitan Community CollegeClass Syllabus – Spring 2020SECTION I: THE CLASS AND THE INSTRUCTORCOURSE SECTION AND TITLE:PHL 1100 Section SACritical ReasoningACADEMIC YEAR/QUARTER:Spring 2020INSTRUCTOR’S NAME:James ShaulLOCATION OF CLASS:SRP Rm. 205TIMES CLASS MEETS:Tuesday/Thursday 12:00 – 1:45 METHODS OF CONTACTING INTRUCTOR:Email -jshaul@mccneb.eduPhone - 402-686-6693METRO OFFICE LOCATION:SRP adjunct faculty officeMETRO OFFICE HOURS:By appointmentMETRO OFFICE TELEPHONE NUMBER: 402-457-2700ACADEMIC AREA:Humanities and the ArtsACADEMIC DEAN’S OFFICE TELEPHONE: Associate’s Number: 531-622-1306.IMPORTANT DATES: DATE CLASS BEGINS:3/11/2020DATE CLASS ENDS:5/21/2020LAST DATE TO DROP CLASS:5/07/2020DATES CLASS DOES NOT MEET:NoneSECTION II: THE COURSECOURSE DESCRIPTION:This course is designed to provide students with learning experiences focusing on analyzing and constructing ideas, evaluating arguments and sources, distinguishing relevant ideas from irrelevant information, and recognizing problems and problem-solving steps.COURSE PREREQUISITES:NoneCOURSE OBJECTIVES: Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:1. Pinpoint issues inherent in a set of facts.2. Examine a set of facts, objectively putting personal prejudices and opinions aside.3. Examine issues from a variety of viewpoints. 4. Concentrate efforts, discussion, and writing on major issues being examined. 5. Envision long-term and short-term implication when viewing an issue.6. Understand and verbalize opposing sides of a controversy.7. Utilize all methods in texts exploring and evaluating an issueREQUIRED/SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIALS:Required Text: Moore, Brooke and Richard Parker. Critical Thinking. Mayfield. Latest Ed.SECTION III: STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIESMETHODS OF LEARNING: 1. Required assignments should be read (competencies, syllabus readings, and required readings) before the concept is presented in class. 2. The syllabus should be brought to each class. 3. Students are expected to be on time for each class meeting. 4. Participation in class and small group discussions is expected. 5. Library resources beyond the required readings are to be used. ATTENDANCE STATEMENT:Attendance is taken daily and quizzes are given each class.ATTENDANCE STATEMENT:Every class will involve point producing exercises, so attendance is extremely important.STUDENT WITHDRAWALIf you cannot participate in and complete this course, you should officially withdraw through My Services on the MCC My Way portal at or by calling Central Registration at 402-457-5231 or 1-800-228-9553. Failure to officially withdraw will result in either an attendance-related failure (FX) or failing (F) grade. The last date to withdraw is noted in the CLASS IDENTIFICATION section of this MUNICATION EXPECTATIONSWhen you communicate with others in this course, you must follow the Student Code of Conduct (), which calls for responsible and cooperative behavior. Please think critically, ask questions, and challenge ideas, but also show respect for the opinions of others, respond to them politely, and maintain the confidentiality of thoughts expressed in the class. You may also wish to review information at IN THE CLASSROOMStudents may not video or audio record class sessions without the instructor’s knowledge and permission. If recording of class sessions is authorized as a reasonable accommodation under Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the instructor must have the appropriate documentation from College Disability Support Services. Permitted recordings are to be used only for the individual student’s educational review of the class session and may not be reproduced, posted, sold or distributed to others. Students who violate this policy are subject to disciplinary procedures as outlined in the Student Conduct Code.ACADEMIC HONESTY STATEMENTStudents are reminded that materials they may use as sources for this course may be subject to copyright protection. Additional information about copyright is provided on the library webpage at , by your instructor, or by the College's Copyright Officer. In response to incidents of student dishonesty (cheating, plagiarism, etc.), the College imposes specific actions that may include receiving a failing grade on a test, failure in the course, suspension from the College, or dismissal from the College. The disciplinary procedures are available in Student Services.USE OF STUDENT WORKThe ownership of student works submitted in fulfillment of classroom requirements shall remain with the student(s): By enrolling in classes offered by Metropolitan Community College, the student gives the College license to mark on, modify, and retain the work as may be required by the process of instruction, as described in the course syllabus. The institution shall not have the right to use the work in any other manner without the written consent of the student(s).ACCOMMODATIONS FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIESMetropolitan Community College will provide reasonable accommodations for persons with documented qualifying disabilities. It is the student’s responsibility to request accommodations from Disability Support Services (DSS) located in each Student Services Office. After students have arranged for accommodations with DSS, the student and instructor should privately discuss these accommodations. For further information, please contact DSS or visit? OF STUDENT LEARNING PROGRAM Metropolitan Community College is committed to continuous improvement of teaching and learning. You may be asked to help us to accomplish this objective. For example, you may be asked to respond to surveys or questionnaires. In other cases, tests or assignments you are required to do for this course may be shared with faculty and used for assessment purposes. This will be done in accordance with FERPA guidelines.TECHNOLOGY RESOURCES AND USE OF COLLEGE COMPUTERSBy using the information technology systems at MCC(including the computer systems and phones) you acknowledge and consent to the conditions of use as set forth in the Metropolitan Community College Procedures Memorandum on Acceptable Use of Information Technology and Resources. It is your responsibility as a student to be familiar with these procedures. The full text of the Procedures Memorandum may be found at the following website: using College computers at the computer labs, Learning Centers, Libraries and classrooms, you need to login with your username and password*. Your username and password are the same whenever you log into the network (campus computers), SharePoint Services, student e-mail, WebAdvisor and WebCT (if enrolled in an online or blended course). For other systems (not listed above), your instructor will provide you with the necessary username and password information. The Password Center () is a new web resource available to all students and staff. This web site allows you to change (reset) your password even if you don’t know your username and password, provided the personal information you enter to verify your identity, matches the information the College has in it’s database. Verification information consists of student ID number (or the last 5 digits of your Social Security number), last name, birth date, street address and ZIP Code.*Note: If you have not logged in before, your initial password is the first initial of your first name (in UPPERCASE), the first initial of your last name (in lowercase), followed by your student ID number with leading zeros to make the password 9 characters long. For example, if your name is Chris Doe and your student ID number is 1234, your initial password will be Cd0001234.EDUCATIONAL SERVICES PROGRAM AREA IDENTIFICATION:Program Area: Humanities and the ArtsSECTION IV: INSTRUCTOR RESPONSIBILITIESMETHODS OF INSTRUCTION:Course will consist of a combination of lecture, student response, and small group discussion. Each class will typically begin with a short quiz.METHODS OF ASSESSING STUDENT PROGRESS:Daily quizzes, 2 tests, in-class assignments, position paper, class participation.CRITERIA FOR DETERMINING FINAL COURSE GRADE:The evaluation methods for this course include:1. Daily quizzes - 25%2. Midterm - 25%3. Final - 25% (Not comprehensive)4. Paper - 15%5. Class participation - 10% (Includes participation in class discussions based on having previously read the assigned portions of the texts)6. Grade Scale: A= 100-92; B = 91- 83; C = 82-74; D = 73-65; F = 64 and belowMAKE-UP TEST PROCEDURES:Make-up quizzes are allowed when absences are excused.LATE ASSIGNMENTS:No penalty for late assignmentsMAINTENANCE OF STUDENT RECORDS:With the exception of midterms, papers/projects/tests will not be returned unless student requests themSECTION IV: SCHEDULE OF ASSIGNMENTS:NOTICE: This syllabus sets forth a tentative schedule of class topics, learning activities, and expected learning outcomes. However, the instructor reserves the right to modify this schedule to enhance learning for students. Any modifications will not substantially change the intent or objectives of this course and will conform to the policies and guidelines of Metropolitan Community College.Note: In the event of MCC closings, students will be emailed; they may also check Blackboard or SCHEDULE:Week 1 (Mar. 10, 12)FOCUS:Class Introduction; Course IntroductionMaterial Introduction; Introduction to ThinkingASSIGNMENTS:Moore: 1-68Week 2 (Mar. 17, 19) (Census Date 3/20/2020)FOCUS:DefinitionsSentences and StatementsASSIGNMENTS:Moore: 69 - 97Week 3 (Mar. 24, 26)FOCUS:Argument FormsASSIGNMENTS:Complete First Draft of Position PapersMoore: 98 - 133Week 4 (Mar. 31, April 2)FOCUS:***First Draft of Position Papers Due*** March 31Systems of ThoughtWeek 5 (Apr. 7, 9)FOCUS:Midterm ReviewASSIGNMENTS:Study for MidtermMoore: 241 - 275Week 6 (Apr. 14, 16)FOCUS:***Midterm*** April 14TruthASSIGNMENTS:Moore: 276 - 309Week 7 (Apr. 21, 23)FOCUS:Truth & Systems of ThoughtASSIGNMENTS:Complete Second Draft of Position PapersMoore: 310 – 386Week 8 (Apr. 28, 30)FOCUS:***Second Draft of Position Papers Due*** April 28FallaciesASSIGNMENTS:Moore: 134 - 164Week 9 (May 5, 7) (Last Date to Drop Class 5/7/2020)FOCUS:FallaciesAnalysis of Short Position PapersASSIGNMENTS:Moore: 165 - 200Week 10 (May 12, 14)FOCUS:Analysis of Lengthy Position PapersASSIGNMENTS:HandoutComplete Final Draft of PaperMoore: 210 - 240Week 11 (May 19, 21)FOCUS:***Final Draft of Position Papers Due***May 19Class Presentations(if needed)ASSIGNMENTS:Moore: 418 - 452Week 12 (May 26, 28)FOCUS::Class Presentations (If Any Remain)***Final*** May 28ASSIGNMENTS:Kick Back and Relax!________________________________________________________________________ON THE POSITION PAPER Topics:Should abortion be allowed in this country?Should physician assisted suicide be allowed in this country?Should capital punishment be allowed in this country?Should people be required to use gendered pronouns of their choice?Should a college education be free?Should transgenders be able to compete in sports in the gender they were not born in?Student may NOT vary from the above stated topics without express permissionContent:Papers NEED to answer the specific question above. Papers need to answer the question “yes” or “no.” The thrust of your paper must be supporting this yes or no answer. You MAY also include in your paper what counter cases exist and your support for them, but this MAY NOT be the major thrust of your paper.Papers SHOULD reflect your genuinely held position on the subject.Length:3-5 pagesFormat:JS StyleTypedDouble spacedAll referenced material will be copied and attached to each draft of the paper and all referenced portions will be highlighted Grading:?Grading will be done on the basis of two criteria: 1) the quality of the logic of the argument (including logic, validity, and support for its claims), and 2) how well the argument develops over the course of the semester. If you have weaknesses and /or problems in the drafts that are not addressed in later drafts, this will indicate a lack of development. This does NOT mean you HAVE to change anything. It does mean that, if you do not change it, you will have to tell me WHY you don’t think it needs to be changed. It is possible to have “A” papers on the first draft, but it is highly unlikely.?The length of the paper is irrelevant to the grade.?You will turn in the paper three times. The first two will be considered drafts. You are not graded on the rough drafts. Spring Quarter 2019-2020 (19/SP) - 58 Faculty WorkdaysAcademic Affairs DayMarch 4 (W)Faculty Development DayMarch 5 (Th)Instructional WorkdayMarch 6 (F)Classes beginMarch 7 (Sa)Spring Recess/College closed Saturday and SundayApril 11-12 (Sa-Su)GraduationTBAClasses endMay 22 (F)Memorial Day/College closedMay 25 (M)**To view the last day to withdraw “drop” a class to prevent receiving a grade, go to the class schedule found online at then, find the course section and click on the Important Dates link on the same line as the course title. Dates for each course section are automatically calculated based on the start and end dates and the number of sessions for a course. A student must withdraw by this date to avoid an “F” grade. Note: Schedule changes may have implications for students on Financial Aid. Check with the Financial Aid Office prior to any schedule changes at 402-457-2330. The Census Date is the date on which Financial Aid Student’s enrollment is checked to determine the type and amount of authorized funds for the quarter. Payment is based on enrollment as of that date. ................
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