Brown, Neil M. and Stuart M. Keeley. Asking the Right Questions: A Guide to Critical Thinking, 11 th ed.

Transcription

1 Required Course Textbook(s): Course Syllabus Critical Thinking (HUM 115) Section 01WA Fall 2015 Semester Instructor: Ray Sheppard Office: Bldg. 1 Room 141 Phone: Office Hours: Brown, Neil M. and Stuart M. Keeley. Asking the Right Questions: A Guide to Critical Thinking, 11 th ed. Course Description (from college catalog): This course introduces the use of critical thinking skills in the context of human conflict. Emphasis is placed on evaluating information, problem solving, approaching cross-cultural perspectives, and resolving controversies and dilemmas. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate orally and in writing the use of critical thinking skills in the analysis of appropriate texts. This course has been approved to satisfy the Comprehensive Articulation Agreement general education core requirement in humanities/fine arts. This course may meet the SACS humanities requirement for AAS degree programs. Read this syllabus carefully! ü Special Needs Information: Students with special needs related to a documented, diagnosed disability should contact Tommy Rains ( ; trains@bladencc.edu) in student services for assistance. ü For Technical Assistance: o - Contact Mr. Philip Pope (ppope@bladencc.edu) o Moodle Contact Dr. Maurice Mitchell (mmitchell@bladencc.edu) o Webadvisor Contact Mr. David Gooden (dgooden@bladencc.edu) o For 24/7 Moodle Support or IT Helpdesk call ü Academic Honesty Statement: Students are held accountable for the academic honesty of all work completed in this course. The BCC Academic Honesty policy can be found on pages of the BCC Student Handbook and on pages of the BCC Catalog. If a question arises about the originality of student work, the burden of proof lies with the student. As indicated in the honesty policy, students who plagiarize or otherwise violate the policy may fail either or both the assignment and/or the course at the instructor s discretion. 1 H UM 115 Critical Thinking

2 Student Learning Outcomes: Learning Outcome 1. Demonstrate an ability to use the 4 P Problem Solving Action Plan to complete assignments and to enhance their critical thinking skills. 2. Demonstrate an understanding of the essential concepts and theories in the course materials. 3. Identify and cast a sound argument containing true premises. 4. Identify fallacies that can undermine an argument. 5. Assess the dangers of conformity without prior evaluation. Measure Student Evaluation: Assignment (10) (10) Participation/Attendance Total Possible Points Possible Points 100 points 150 points 100 points 100 points 450 Grading Scale: A B C D 269 and below F 2 H UM 115 Critical Thinking

3 1. This course will include 10 random in-class quizzes. 2. These quizzes may or may not be announced by the instructor in advance. 3. No makeup quizzes will be allowed. Students who are absent during the quiz will receive a grade of 0 on the missed quiz. Practice Assignments 1. This course will include 10 practice assignments. 2. Practice assignments may be homework or in class. 3. Practice assignments must be submitted in class on the announced due date. No late practice assignments will be accepted/graded. 1. This class will include a comprehensive final exam. 2. The purpose of the final exam will be to test each student on the major skills learned in the course. 3. The exam will take place in class on Tuesday, December 15 (12:30-2:30) and will be open note and open book. 4. No late exams will be allowed/graded. Any student not present on announced exam day will receive a grade of If a student is unable to be in class during the announced exam time, that student must let the instructor know at least 24 hours prior to start of the exam in order to be allowed a makeup exam. Attendance and Participation Grade: 1. There are NO excused absences in this class. It is your responsibility to get notes and assignments (etc.) when you are absent from a class meeting. 2. Each absence will result in a 10-point deduction from the 100-point class attendance and participation grade. There are no excused absences. All absences are treated the same. 3. Coming to class late, or leaving class early, will result in a 5-point deduction from the 100-point class attendance and participation grade. 4. If absences exceed 20% of all scheduled contact hours, the student will be dropped from the course with either a W or WF depending on the withdrawal date. See the college catalogue for current policy regarding class attendance, tardiness, drop-add periods, etc. Classroom Cellphone Policy 1. Cell phones, pagers, and other electrical devices must be turned off in class. 2. If a student is expecting an emergency call during class, the student must (1) inform the instructor before class, (2) set their phone to vibrate, and (3) sit near the exit. 3. Texting is not allowed during class. Texting during class is considered distractive and disrespectful behavior. Any violation of the texting policy will result in the following actions: 3 H UM 115 Critical Thinking

4 Other Important Information: 1. Bladen Community College rules do not allow students to bring children to class. 2. Bladen Community College requires that all teacher/student correspondence be carried out via Squirrel mail (B.C.C. account). Do not send your instructor using personal accounts such as yahoo, gmail, etc. 3. To protect the confidentiality of student records, I will not discuss student grades via the telephone or . Please make an appointment to meet with the instructor if you need to discuss your grades. See Course Lecture & Assignment Schedule on the next page Course Lecture & Assignment Schedule is subject to change at the discretion of the instructor. Students should complete all assignments as instructed by the instructor. 4 H UM 115 Critical Thinking

5 Week One Week Two Week Three & Four Week Five Week Six & Seven Week Eight, Nine, Ten Week Eleven & Twelve Week Thirteen & Fourteen Lecture & Assignment Schedule This Schedule Is Subject To Change Class Introduction & Syllabus Review Lecture: The Importance of Asking the Right Questions. Reading: Chapter 1, Pgs Lecture: Problem Solving (Ms. Twyla Davis) Lecture: Hindrances to Critical Thinking and Problem Solving Reading: Chapter 2, Pgs Lecture: Issues, Conclusions, and Reasons. Reading: Chapter 3, Pgs & Chapter 4, Pgs Class Assignment One Passage 3, Pg. 30. Class Assignment Two Passage 3, Pg. 41. Lecture: Ambiguous Words and Phrases Reading: Chapter 5, Pgs Class Assignment Three Passage 3, Pg. 55. Lecture: Value and Descriptive Assumptions Reading: Chapter 6, Pgs Class Assignment Four Passage 3, Pg. 73. Lecture: Logical Fallacies Reading: Chapter 7, Pgs Class Assignment Five Passage 3, Pg. 89. Class Assignment Six Twelve Angry Men Jury Scenario Lecture: Evidences Reading: Chapter 8, Pgs & Chapter 9, Pgs Class Assignment Seven Passage 3, Pg. 104 & Pg. 123 Class Assignment Eight You Be The Detective Mr. Monk Lecture: Rival Causes & Reasonable Conclusions Reading: Chapter 10, Pgs & Chapter 13, Pgs Class Assignment Nine Passage 3, Pg. 136 Class Assignment Ten Passage 3, Pg H UM 115 Critical Thinking

6 Week Fifteen Week Sixteen Lecture: Omitted Information Reading: Chapter 12, Pgs Class Assignment Three Passage 3, Pg. 55. Tuesday, December 15 (12:30-2:30) Take advantage of our online tutoring resource Upswing at bladencc.upswing.io 6 H UM 115 Critical Thinking