Syllabus

ENGLISH 75 CRITICAL THINKING
Prerequisite/Co-requisite Courses: None
Fall 2008 (3), Tuesdays, 9-10:15, 10:30-11:45
Instructor: Dr. Sylvia Y. R. Schoemaker
Phone: 510.628.8036
Office Hours: T-Th 11:45-12:30 and by arrangement
E-mail: profs4e@gmail.com

Blog: http://e75cthink.blogspot.com/

Wiki: http://e75cthink.wetpaint.com/

DESCRIPTION

ENG 75- CRITICAL THINKING

Critical thinking (E75) considers the cognitive skills and communicative strategies for defining, applying, analyzing, synthesizing and evaluating information. The course includes structural and operational approaches to task/mission analysis, decision-making, change forecasting, adaptation, and evaluation. Systems approach to analysis and solution of complex problems. Conceptual issues in problem definition, goal determination and measurement of effectiveness. (3 units)

OBJECTIVES

Students will develop their cognitive skills and enhance their communicative strategies for defining, applying, analyzing, synthesizing and evaluating information. The course will incorporate the following University learner and institutional goals:

University learner goals 1 -6, and specifically (3.2) To examine objectively various sides of issues; (3.3) To utilize the procedures involved in systematic problem solving; and in English:: To develop basic academic and professional skills(1); To develop the ability to communicate effectively in English, oral and in writing, and to read with understanding (1.1) and institutional goals , especially 1,(1.1-1.4), 2.4

FORMAT

The course sessions will include presentation, discussion, and application modes.

STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES

Students are expected to attend class, complete assignments, and to participate in individual and group work in a productive manner, and to take personal responsibility for meeting the objectives of the course.

REQUIRED TEXTS:

Mayfield, M. (2007). Thinking for yourself. (7th Ed.). Boston: Thomson Wadsworth. ISBN: 1-4130-1772-X (TFY)

Daiek, D., & Anter, N.(2004) Critical reading for college and beyond. New York: McGraw-Hill. ISBN: 0072473762 (CRCB)

RECOMMENDED TEXT:

Harris, Robert. A. Creative Problem Solving. Los Angeles: Pyrczak Publishing, 2002. ISBN: 1-884585-43-4 (CPS)

COMPANION SITE FOR REQUIRED TEXTS

Thinking for Yourself Site

Critical Reading for College and Beyond Companion site:

ASSIGNMENTS

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.

SCHEDULE

Wk	Date	Notes		TFY Chapter		CRCB Chapter
1	2-Sep		Observation	1	Reading	1
2	9-Sep		Word Precision	2	Vocabulary	2
3	16-Sep		Facts	3	Memory	3
4	23-Sep		Inferences	4	Time	4
5	30-Sep		Assumptions	5	Main Ideas	5
6	7-Oct		Opinions	6	Details	6
7	14-Oct		Evaluations	7	Inference	7
8	21-Oct		ePortfolio due		Review	8
9	28-Oct	Midterm	Midterm		Strategies	9
10	4-Nov		Viewpoints	8	Marking	10
11	11-Nov	Holiday	Argument	9	Adv Strategies	11
12	18-Nov		Fallacies	10	Arguments	12
13	25-Nov		Inductive Reasoning	11	Cognitive Domain	13
14	2-Dec		Deductive Reasoning	12	Evaluation	14
15	9-Dec		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, solving,, text and classroom exercises , and work on real-world examples, individually and in groups.

Class Participation	15%
Quizzes	10%
Projects	15%
Term Paper	30%
Presentation	10%
Final Exam	20%
Total	100%

100-95	A
94-90	A-
89-87	B+
86-84	B-
83-80	C+
79-77	C+
76-74	C
73-70	C-
69-67	D+
66-64	D
63-60	D-
59 or <	F