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
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 |
| Review |
| ||
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 |
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