Course Description

Syllabus In this class, you will learn all facets of assembling, organizing, and writing researched-based arguements. These will combine important ideas from research with your own life experience and observations about people and places. In fact, you will exit this course with a different perspective on your life experience than when you entered. In particular, this course asks you to: closely study a number of major arguements. write and revise 4 formal essays. actively participate in class discussions by carefully listening to others' opinions and expressing your thoughts as clearly as possible. complete all homework and in-class assignments. hand in all work on time. closely follow attendance policy. think beyond your own biases.

Critical Thinking and Composition will show you how to reason more rationally in your everyday life, as well as recognize irrational arguments. This course helps you make solid decisions and solve problems with confidence and success.

Also, the course advances your reading and analytical skills, thus strengthening your chances of academic success after this course. This course includes a section on media literacy, helping you recognize propaganda from the mass media.

In this course, we study nearly universal structures of argument, research, and build cases on current social controversies.
This course focuses entirely on non-fiction works as a basis for writing and discussion. You will working on four projects of various lengths, and take two tests during the semester. Your writing style will sharpen, your sentences will become more fluent, and your writing voice will become more confident.

Frequently we use the "case study" method of working; a technique common in medical, legal, and business among others majors.

 

Grading Information

We tabulate your semester grade like this:

1. Essays (60%)
2. Class Participation (10%)
3. Research (20%)
4. Attendance (10%)