CRT205: CRITICAL THINKING

Transcription

1 CRT205: CRITICAL THINKING COURSE SYLLABUS Curse Start Date: 7/23/12 Curse End Date: 9/23/12 Cpyright Cpyright 2012, 2009, 2007, 2006 by University f Phenix. All rights reserved. University f Phenix is a registered trademark f Apll Grup, Inc. in the United States and/r ther cuntries. Micrsft, Windws, and Windws NT are registered trademarks f Micrsft Crpratin in the United States and/r ther cuntries. All ther cmpany and prduct names are trademarks r registered trademarks f their respective cmpanies. Use f these marks is nt intended t imply endrsement, spnsrship, r affiliatin. Edited in accrdance with University f Phenix editrial standards and practices. 1

2 Curse Descriptin In this curse, students develp the ability t think clearly and critically. Practice includes develping writing skills that enable students t clearly present claims t supprt their cnclusins and avid reinfrcing biases. Students are given the pprtunity t analyze and discuss varius types f media including televisin, Internet, and print t determine which surces prvide the mst reliable infrmatin. Tpics addressed include the relatinship between critical thinking and clear writing, credibility f surces, rhetrical devices, fallacies, unclear r misleading language, and the characteristics f varius types f arguments. Plicies Faculty and students/learners will be held respnsible fr understanding and adhering t all plicies cntained within the fllwing tw dcuments: University plicies: Yu must be lgged int the student website t view this dcument. Facilitatr plicies: This dcument is psted in the Curse Materials frum. University plicies are subject t change. Be sure t read the plicies at the beginning f each class. Plicies may be slightly different depending n the mdality in which yu attend class. If yu have recently changed mdalities, read the plicies gverning yur current class mdality. Curse Materials Mre, B. N., & Parker, R. (2012). Critical thinking (10th ed.). New Yrk, NY: McGraw-Hill. All electrnic materials are available n the student website. Assignment pint values Week One Week Tw Week Three Week Fur Discussin Questins/Participatin 40 Knwledge Check 10 What is Critical Thinking? 30 Hw Bias Influences Critical Thinking 30 Discussin Questins/Participatin 40 Knwledge Check 10 Mapping an Argument 50 Discussin Questins/Participatin 50 Knwledge Check 10 Writing Sample Revisins 50 Discussin Questins/Participatin 40 Knwledge Check 10 Evaluating Media fr Credibility 50 2

3 Week Five Week Six Discussin Questins/Participatin 40 Knwledge Check 10 Identifying Rhetrical Devices 50 Discussin Questins/Participatin 50 Knwledge Check 10 Fallacy Drag and Drp 20 Week Seven Week Eight Week Nine Discussin Questins/Participatin 50 Knwledge Check 10 Differentiated Reasning 50 Discussin Questins/Participatin 40 Knwledge Check 10 Individual Influence f Mral Reasning 50 Discussin Questin/Participatin 30 Knwledge Check 10 Capstne CheckPint 20 Cmprehensive Argument Analysis 130 Pint Ttal

4 Week One: Thinking Critically Objectives Explain the basic elements f critical thinking. Describe the imprtance f thinking critically. The Instructr and Curse Plicies dcument The curse descriptin and bjectives. The instructr s bigraphy and pst yur wn. The Assciate Level Material: Final Prject Overview and Timeline lcated n yur student website. Chapter 1 f Critical Thinking. Review The Assciate Level Material: Website Resurces Tutrial lcated n yur student website: Chapter Overview, Frequently Asked Questins, Tips n Applicatins, Help with Exercises. The exercises included thrughut the assigned chapter f the text. Althugh yu are nt required t cmplete these exercises, it is helpful t review them in preparatin fr cmpleting the weekly Knwledge Checks. In additin, these exercises will help yu better understand cncepts frm the assigned readings. 20 pints Respnd 10 pints each Due Day 2 & 3 In class discussin. See Instructr plicies fr details n participatin. T weekly discussin questins. 10 pints Knwledge Check quiz. After taking the Knwledge Check quiz, yu must cpy and paste the results int a Wrd dcument and then submit that dcument as yu wuld any ther assignment. Assignment 1a Due day 4 30 pints What is Critical Thinking? Write a 250- t 350-wrd riginal respnse t the questin: What is Critical Thinking? Use the textbk as yur resurce and include at least ne citatin and reference t supprt yur definitin. Review Chapter 1 f Critical Thinking. Review and be guided by the grading rubric in the Curse Materials frum Frmat yur respnse cnsistent with the Assciate Level Writing Style Handbk. Use the fllwing naming cnventin t save yur file: Lastname 1A. Pst yur assignment as an attachment. Ntes: Yur respnse shuld be written in an essay frmat (intrductin, bdy and cnclusin) and cnfrm t the standards set frth in the APA Writing Style Handbk lcated at: If yu need help with APA frmatting, please use the template fund in the curse materials sectin as a guide. 4

5 Yur respnses shuld always include facts btained frm a credible surce. (Fr this assignment the credible surce is yur textbk). Fr the purpses f this curse, a credible surce is usually ging t be secular (nn religius), and will be frm an academic, r prfessinal piece f wrk written by an expert. Assignment 1b 30 pints Hw Bias Influences Critical Thinking Write a 250- t 350-wrd riginal respnse t the fllwing prmpt: Describe what is meant by bias as it relates t critical thinking. Give an example f a decisin r argument yu recently made which was influenced by bias. Explain hw yur decisin r argument might have been different had yu nt had a bias. Review Chapter 1 f Critical Thinking and share what type f bias was in place and hw this influenced the utcme f yur decisin r argument. Use the fllwing naming cnventin t save yur file: Lastname1b. Pst yur assignment as an attachment. Ntes: Yur respnse shuld be written in an essay frmat (intrductin, bdy and cnclusin) and cnfrm t the standards set frth in the APA Writing Style Handbk lcated at: If yu need help with APA frmatting, please use the template fund in the curse materials sectin as a guide. Yur respnses shuld always include facts btained frm a credible surce. Fr the purpses f this curse, a credible surce is usually ging t be secular (nn religius), and will be frm an academic, r prfessinal piece f wrk written by an expert. Week Tw: Arguments Objectives Identify the majr cmpnents f an argument. Differentiate between inductive and deductive arguments. Chapter 2 f Critical Thinking. Review The Assciate Level Material: Website Resurces Tutrial lcated n yur student website: Chapter Overview, Frequently Asked Questins, Tips n Applicatins, Help with Exercises. The exercises included thrughut the assigned chapter f the text. 20 pints In class discussin. See Instructr plicies fr details n participatin. 5

6 Respnd 10 pints each T weekly discussin questins. Due Day 2 & 4 10 pints Knwledge Check quiz. After taking the Knwledge Check quiz, yu must cpy and paste the results int a Wrd dcument and then submit that dcument as yu wuld any ther assignment. Assignment 2 50 pints Mapping an Argument Examine 2 f the 4 articles prvided by yur instructr frm the Oppsing Viewpint in Cntext categry in the University Library. Write a 350- t 550-wrd respnse fr each article in which yu identify the majr cmpnents f each article by cnsidering the fllwing questins: What is the issue? What are the stated and unstated premises? What is the cnclusin? Explain yur answer. Use the fllwing naming cnventin t save yur file: Lastname2. Pst yur assignment as an attachment. Ntes: DO NOT use a questin and answer frmat where yu simply write the answer t each questin. The questins are there t guide yu and help yu fcus yur respnse. Yur respnse shuld be written in an essay frmat (intrductin, bdy and cnclusin) and cnfrm t the standards set frth in the APA Writing Style Handbk lcated at: If yu need help with APA frmatting, please use the template fund in the curse materials sectin as a guide. Yur respnses shuld always include facts btained frm a credible surce. Fr the purpses f this curse, a credible surce is usually ging t be secular (nn religius), and will be frm an academic, r prfessinal piece f wrk written by an expert. 6

7 Week Three: Critical Thinking and Writing Objectives Describe the relatinship between critical thinking and clear writing. Identify vagueness and ambiguity in written cntent. Chapter 3 f Critical Thinking. Review The Assciate Level Material: Website Resurces Tutrial lcated n yur student website: Chapter Overview, Frequently Asked Questins, Tips n Applicatins, Help with Exercises. The exercises included thrughut the assigned chapter f the text. 20 pints In class discussin. See Instructr plicies fr details n participatin. Respnd 10 pints each T weekly discussin questins. Due Days pints Knwledge Check quiz. After taking the Knwledge Check quiz, yu must cpy and paste the results int a Wrd dcument and then submit that dcument as yu wuld any ther assignment. Assignment 3 50 pints Writing Sample Revisins Chse tw examples frm the Assciate Level Material: Writing Samples (lcated n yur student website) and rewrite them t remve the vagueness and ambiguity. Describe the relatinship between critical thinking and clear writing. Use the fllwing naming cnventin t save yur file: Lastname3. Frmat yur paper cnsistent with Assciate Level Writing Style Handbk guidelines. Pst yur assignment as an attachment. Ntes: Yur respnse shuld be written in an essay frmat (intrductin, bdy and cnclusin) and cnfrm t the standards set frth in the APA Writing Style Handbk lcated at: If yu need help with APA frmatting, please use the template fund in the curse materials sectin as a guide. Yur respnses shuld always include facts btained frm a credible surce. Fr the purpses f this curse, a credible surce is usually ging t be secular (nn religius), and will be frm an academic, r prfessinal piece f wrk written by an expert. 7

8 Week Fur: Credibility Objectives Define credibility and its applicatin t media, advertising, and ther persuasive arguments. Assess the credibility f media and advertising claims. Chapter 4 f Critical Thinking. Review The Assciate Level Material: Website Resurces Tutrial lcated n yur student website: Chapter Overview, Frequently Asked Questins, Tips n Applicatins, Help with Exercises. The exercises included thrughut the assigned chapter f the text. 20 pints In class discussin. See Instructr plicies fr details n participatin. Respnd 10 pints each T weekly discussin questins. Due Day 2 & 4 10 pints Knwledge Check quiz. After taking the Knwledge Check quiz, yu must cpy and paste the results int a Wrd dcument and then submit that dcument as yu wuld any ther assignment. Assignment 4 50 pints Evaluating Media Credibility Watch tw current televisin news prgrams n the same day and cmpare them sme examples are Fx News, MSNBC, 60 Minutes, and CNN. nte f differences in the stries that were cvered, the amunt f air time devted t the majr stries, and the bias r slant used when presenting a cntrversial stry. Write a 350- t 700-wrd respnse addressing the fllwing: Include details n the channel watched, the time f the bradcast, and the date. Which news prgram did yu feel was the mst credible? Why? What characteristics influenced yur decisin abut the prgrams credibility? Use the fllwing naming cnventin t save yur file: Lastname4. Frmat yur paper cnsistent with Assciate Level Writing Style Handbk guidelines. Pst yur assignment as an attachment. Ntes: Be sure t include the time and date f the prgram as well as yur time zne and the bradcasting netwrk. (using APA citatin guidelines) Yur respnse shuld be written in an essay frmat (intrductin, bdy and cnclusin) and cnfrm t the standards set frth in the APA Writing Style Handbk lcated at: If yu need help with APA frmatting, please use the template fund in the curse materials sectin as a guide. 8

9 Week Five: Rhetrical Devices Objectives Identify varius rhetrical devices used t influence attitudes and beliefs. Chapter 5 f Critical Thinking. Review The Assciate Level Material: Website Resurces Tutrial lcated n yur student website: Chapter Overview, Frequently Asked Questins, Tips n Applicatins, Help with Exercises. The exercises included thrughut the assigned chapter f the text. 20 pints In class discussin. See Instructr plicies fr details n participatin. Respnd 10 pints each T weekly discussin questins. Due Day 2 & 4 10 pints Knwledge Check quiz. After taking the Knwledge Check quiz, yu must cpy and paste the results int a Wrd dcument and then submit that dcument as yu wuld any ther assignment. Assignment 5 50 pints Identifying Rhetrical Devices Optin 1: Article Review Chse ne newspaper editrial and ne magazine article frm the lists prvided by yur instructr and write a 350- t 550-wrd respnse t the fllwing: What rhetrical devices are fund in each article? Based n their characteristics, hw can the rhetrical devices be categrized? What impact d the devices have n their respective articles? Optin 2: Vide Review Watch a vide clip frm the list prvided by yur instructr: Write a 350- t 550-wrd respnse t the fllwing: What rhetrical devices are fund in the clip? Based n their characteristics, hw can the rhetrical devices be categrized? Hw d these devices influence audience respnse? Hw d these devices influence the credibility f the claims made? the instructins in the Assciate Level Material: Identifying Rhetrical Devices lcated n the student website and select ne ptin t cmplete the assignment. Frmat yur respnse cnsistent with the Assciate Level Writing Style Handbk. 9

10 Pst yur assignment as an attachment. Nte: Be sure t include the APA citatins. Yur respnse shuld be written in an essay frmat (intrductin, bdy and cnclusin) and cnfrm t the standards set frth in the APA Writing Style Handbk lcated at: If yu need help with APA frmatting, please use the template fund in the curse materials sectin as a guide. Week Six: Fallacies Objectives Categrize varius fallacies based n their characteristics. Chapters 6 and 7 f Critical Thinking. Review The Assciate Level Material: Website Resurces Tutrial lcated n yur student website: Chapter Overview, Frequently Asked Questins, Tips n Applicatins, Help with Exercises. The exercises included thrughut the assigned chapter f the text. 20 pints In class discussin. See Instructr plicies fr details n participatin. Respnd 10 pints each Due Days 2-4 T weekly discussin questins. 10 pints Knwledge Check quiz. After taking the Knwledge Check quiz, yu must cpy and paste the results int a Wrd dcument and then submit that dcument as yu wuld any ther assignment. Cmplete 20 pints Fallacies Drag and Drp activity lcated n yur student website. 10

11 Week Seven: Deductive Arguments and Inductive Reasning Objectives Identify deductive arguments. Identify inductive reasning. Chapters 8-10 f Critical Thinking. Review The Assciate Level Material: Website Resurces Tutrial lcated n yur student website: Chapter Overview, Frequently Asked Questins, Tips n Applicatins, Help with Exercises. The exercises included thrughut the assigned chapter f the text. 20 pints In class discussin. See Instructr plicies fr details n participatin. Respnd 10 pints each Due Days 2-4 T weekly discussin questins. 10 pints Knwledge Check quiz. After taking the Knwledge Check quiz, yu must cpy and paste the results int a Wrd dcument and then submit that dcument as yu wuld any ther assignment. Assignment 7 50 pints Differentiating Reasning Re-evaluate the articles yu examined in Week Tw. Address the fllwing issues in a 350- t 550-wrd respnse fr each article: Discuss whether the authr used deductive argument r inductive reasning. Identify the deductive argument, r sme f the supprting infrmatin fr the inductive reasning. Explain yur answer using the curse materials t supprt yur findings. Use the fllwing naming cnventin t save yur file: Lastname7. Frmat yur respnse cnsistent with the Assciate Level Writing Style Handbk. Use citatins when necessary. Pst yur assignment as an attachment. 11

12 Week Eight: Mral Reasning Objectives Explain hw mral reasning influences critical thinking. Chapters 11 and 12 f Critical Thinking. Review The Assciate Level Material: Website Resurces Tutrial lcated n yur student website: Chapter Overview, Frequently Asked Questins, Tips n Applicatins, Help with Exercises. The exercises included thrughut the assigned chapter f the text. 20 pints In class discussin. See Instructr plicies fr details n participatin. Respnd 10 pints each T weekly discussin questins. Due Day 2& 4 10 pints Knwledge Check quiz. After taking the Knwledge Check quiz, yu must cpy and paste the results int a Wrd dcument and then submit that dcument as yu wuld any ther assignment. Assignment 8 Individual Influence f Mral Reasning 50 pints the article prvided by yur instructr frm the Oppsing Viewpints in Cntext categry in the University Library. Write a 350- t 550-wrd respnse t the fllwing: Fcusing n the actins, nt the abuse, select ne persn invlved in this case(assistant Cach/Athletic Directr/State Attrney General/Schl President, etc.) and discuss the fllwing: What were the actins taken by the persn yu chse? What was the impact f thse actins? If yu had held the same psitin, what actin wuld yu have taken? Hw did yur mral reasning impact yur decisin? Use the fllwing naming cnventin t save yur file: Lastname7. Frmat yur respnse cnsistent with the Assciate Level Writing Style Handbk. Use citatins when necessary. Pst yur assignment as an attachment. Ntes: Yur respnse shuld be written in an essay frmat (intrductin, bdy and cnclusin) and cnfrm t the standards set frth in the APA Writing Style Handbk lcated at: If yu need help with APA frmatting, please use the template fund in the curse materials sectin as a guide. 12

13 Week Nine: Critical Analysis Objectives Apply critical thinking skills in evaluating media messages, infrmatin surces, and ther frms f infrmatin. Review the readings frm previus weeks. Review The Assciate Level Material: Website Resurces Tutrial lcated n yur student website: Chapter Overview, Frequently Asked Questins, Tips n Applicatins, Help with Exercises. The exercises included thrughut the assigned chapter f the text. Respnd T bth the 1 DQ questin and the capstne discussin questin: 10 pints fr the DQ Due Day 2 20 pints fr the Capstne DQ Due Day 3 10 pints CAPSTONE DQ QUESTION: Has this curse influenced the way yu respnd t media messages? Has it influenced the ways in which yu will develp yur wn messages? Has it influenced the infrmatin surces and ther frms f infrmatin yu will use r avid in the future? Has yur understanding f critical thinking changed since the beginning f the curse? Knwledge Check quiz. After taking the Knwledge Check quiz, yu must cpy and paste the results int a Wrd dcument and then submit that dcument as yu wuld any ther assignment. Assignment pints Cmprehensive Argument Analysis Use the Assciate Level Material: Final Prject Overview and Timeline as a guide t cmplete the Assciate Level Material: Critical Analysis Frms. Submit the Assciate Level Material: Critical Analysis Frms (tw f them) dcument t yur instructr. Each frm must include a surce title, citatin, the principal issue, and supprting details. Use the fllwing naming cnventin t save yur file: Lastname_FP. Pst yur assignment as an attachment. Nte: N assignments will be accepted after midnight f the last day f class. Make sure t get everything submitted befre this deadline. 13