Lincoln University
Course Syllabus
Course: English 75 - Critical Thinking
Semester: Summer 2016 – Tuesdays and Thursdays, 12:30 – 3:15
Course prerequisites/co-requisites: None
Credit: 3 units, 45 lecture hours
Instructor: Dr. Sylvia Y. Schoemaker Rippel
Office hours and location: T, Th
11:45-12:30 and by arrangement, room 308
11:45-12:30 and by arrangement, room 308
Office phone: 510-628-8036
Course Description
Eng. 75 - Critical Thinking
Consideration of cognitive skills and communicative strategies for defining, applying, analyzing, synthesizing and evaluating information. Course includes structural and operational approaches to task/mission analysis, decision-making, change forecasting, adaptation, and evaluation. System approach to analysis and solution of complex problems. Conceptual issues in problem definition, goal determination and measurement of effectiveness. (3 units)
Learning Objectives
Skills emphasized include ability to examine objectively various sides of issues and to effectively use the procedures involved in systematic problem solving. Additional skills targeted include increased ability to develop and apply academic and professional communication skills, including improved ability to interact appropriately with challenging materials at an increased level of communicative competence.
Instructional Materials and References
Required Texts:
Mayfield, M. (2014). Thinking for yourself. (9th Ed.). Boston, MA: Cengage Learning: Wadsworth. (TFY) ISBN 978-1133311188
Vaughn, L. (2015). The power of critical thinking: Effective reasoning about ordinary and extraordinary claims (5th ed.). New York: Oxford University Press. (PCT) ISBN 9780199385423
Companion Sites
Instructional Methods
The course sessions will include lectures, A/V-augmented presentations (text-based and other topically related slides and relevant audio/video/web resources), written and oral classroom exercises applying course concepts, small group and classroom discussions, student presentations of individual and group assignments based on course units, with emphasis on engaging students in learning by doing.
Student Responsibilities
Students are expected to consistently attend class punctually and fully (arriving on time and leaving the classroom only at the scheduled break and end times). Successful students participate in individual and group work in a productive manner, prepare and perform well on tests, complete assignments according to schedule and at a level appropriate to university rubrics, and take personal responsibility for meeting the objectives of the course.
Topical Outline
Topics covered include observation skills, appropriate language skills and encoding strategies, differentiating among fact, inference, judgment, recognizing fallacies of reasoning and evaluation, understanding viewpoint, analyzing character, logic, and emotion in persuasion.
Homework Assignments
For each of the units (as well as additional assignments given in class), students will do the following by the date listed on the schedule below:
Read assigned materials with care and understanding.
Respond to the main points of each chapter assigned by listing three or four key questions with answers (no more than two or three sentences each).
Reflect on the unit in writing (a brief paragraph or two).
Email your unit and chapter assignments to me at profsylvia@gmail.com, before the date on the schedule.
For midterm and final review assignments, students will present ePortfolios/PPts adapted from the weekly assignments as individual or team projects.
SCHEDULE
Session | Date | Unit | HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS Thinking for Yourself (TFY) The Power of Critical Thinking (TPCT) |
1 | Tu 6/14/16 | Introduction Where Do You Stand? | TPCT Ch. 1: The Power of Critical Thinking |
2 | Th 6/16/16 | Observation | TFY C1, Observation Skills: What's Out There?; TPCT Ch. 2: Obstacles to Critical Thinking |
3 | Tu 6/21/16 | Language and Thought | TFY C2, Word Precision: How Do I Describe It? |
4 | Th 6/23/16 | Facts | TFY C3 Facts: What's Real? |
5 | Tu 6/28/16 | Inferences | TFY C4, Inferences: What Follows? TPCT Ch. 9: Inference to the Best Explanation |
6 | Th 6/30/16 | Assumptions | TFY C5, Assumptions: What's Taken for Granted? TPCT Ch. 4: Reasons for Belief and Doubt TPCT Ch. 5: Faulty Reasoning |
7 | Tu 7/5/16 | Opinions Points of View | TFY C6. Opinions: What's Believed? TPCT Ch. 11: Judging Moral Arguments and Theories Review; ePortfolio 1 |
8 | Th 7/7/16 | Midterm | |
9 | Tu 7/12/16 | Evaluations | TFY C7, Evaluations |
10 | Th 7/14/16 | Points of View | TFY C8, Viewpoints |
11 | Tu 7/19/16 | Argument | TFY C9, Argument |
12 | Th 7/21/16 | Fallacies | TFY C10, Fallacies |
13 | Tu 7/26/16 | Induction Deduction Review E-Portfolio/PPt Presentations | TFY C11, Inductive Reasoning TFY C12, Deductive Reasoning TFY C13, Deductive Reasoning: How Do I Reason from Premises? |
14 | Th 7/28/16 | Final | |
Assessment Criteria & Method of Evaluating Students
Students will demonstrate their level of achievement through appropriate and accurate application of critical thinking theory, including problem-solving, analysis, and decision-making criteria in approaching and solving text, classroom, and real-world exercises, individually and as group participants.
Items | Points |
Exercises/ Daily Assignments, Oral and Written | 20 |
Midterm | 25 |
E-Portfolio I, II | 10 |
Presentation of Assignments | 10 |
Final Exam | 35 |
Total | 100 |
Points | Grade |
100-95 | A |
94-90 | A- |
89-87 | B+ |
86-84 | B |
83-80 | B- |
79-77 | C+ |
76-74 | C |
73-70 | C- |
69-65 | D+ |
64-60 | D |
59 or less | F |
PLEASE NOTE:
Revisions to the schedule will be announced in class as needed. Class attendance is required. Required textbooks should be obtained as soon as possible and brought to class for each session. Class participation is encouraged for enhanced learning through applied content, group interactions, and individual and small group presentations. Plagiarized content is strictly prohibited: Researched materials must be documented using a consistent style for both in-text and end-text citations of sources using the published standards of the most recent subject-appropriate style guide, such as APA (social sciences) or MLA (humanities), for example. Missed exams and assignments require certified excuses (signed documentation by an appropriate medical or other official representative). With documentation, a makeup exam may be scheduled. Electronics are not allowed during exams. Cell phones should not be active during class sessions.
Revised 5/16
No comments:
Post a Comment