CRTW
201H-001–Critical Thinking, Reading, and Writing (3.0 hrs.)
(Fall 2011)
MW 3:30-4:45
Owens 210
Dr. John Bird
Office:
260 Bancroft
Phone:
323-3679
e-mail:
birdj@winthrop.edu
birdj1@peoplepc.com
Web Page:
http://faculty.winthrop.edu/birdj
Office
Hours:
MW 2:00-3:30
M 5:00-6:30
DESCRIPTION:
A course that focuses on critical reading, critical thinking, and
deliberative/argumentative writing and builds upon skills acquired in WRIT
101 and HMXP 102. Students will
read, write, and discuss, in an effort to further develop their skill as
college writers and as critical thinkers.
COURSE GOALS:
·
To learn that
the complex process of critical thinking is a part of all we do and that the
process relies on such skills as observing, speaking, listening, reading,
and writing.
·
To use
writing, reading, speaking, and critical thinking to foster general
cognitive development and
intellectual growth in an academic environment.
·
To recognize
critical thinking and problem solving strategies in different academic
disciplines.
·
To evaluate
arguments, evidence, and the contexts in which they appear.
·
To prepare
for writing by carefully analyzing evidence.
·
To plan,
organize, and develop essays based on introspection, general observation,
deliberation, research, and the critical reading of mature prose texts drawn
from varied disciplines.
·
To learn to
revise effectively by completely rethinking, restructuring, and rewriting
essays.
·
To recognize
individual writing voices and learn how those voices can be adapted to fit
different audiences and rhetorical situations.
·
To improve
oral communication skills through classroom discussions and small group
activities.
GENERAL EDUCATION/TOUCHSTONE GOALS
Goal One: To communicate clearly and effectively in standard English.
To achieve this goal, students should:
1. Read, write, and speak standard English.
2. Analyze written, spoken, and nonverbal messages from a variety of
disciplines; and
3. Understand and practice rhetorical techniques and styles by writing and
by giving oral
presentations
Goal Three: To use critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and a variety
of research methods.
To achieve this goal, students should:
1. Identify sound and unsound reasoning;
2. Analyze and use a variety of information gathering techniques;
3. Conduct independent research;
4. Use computers competently; and
5. Use the library and other information sources competently.
Goal Four: To recognize and appreciate human diversity (both past and
present) as well as the diversity of ideas,
institutions, philosophies, moral codes, and ethical principles.
To achieve this goal, students should:
1. Analyze diverse world cultures, societies, languages, historical periods
and artistic expressions.
2. Understand cultures in their own terms and in terms of the diversity of
ideas, institutions,
philosophies, moral codes, and ethical principles; and,
3. Understand the nature of social and cultural conflict and methods of
resolution
Goal Six: To understand aesthetic values, the creative process, and the
interconnectedness of the literary, visual,
and performing arts throughout the history of civilization.
To achieve this goal, students should:
1. Participate in and/or observe a variety of artistic expressions;
2. Study the discipline and techniques involved in artistic creations; and
3. Understand how and why people use artistic form.
Goal Seven: To examine values, attitudes, beliefs, and habits which define
the nature and quality of life.
To achieve this goal, students should:
1. Reflect on the role played in their lives by school, work, leisure, and
community involvement;
2. Examine problems, issues, and choices that confront citizens of the
world;
3. Pursue basic principles of wellness;
4. Take responsibility for the consequences of their actions and choices; and
5. Articulate and assess their personal ethical principles.
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Knowledge: By the end of the
semester, students will be able to
·
identify and define filters,
barriers, and impediments to critical thinking
·
identify and define the
elements of reasoning
·
identify and define the
standards of reasoning
·
identify and define the
character traits of a critical thinker
Skills:
By the end of the semester, students will be able to
·
apply the elements of
reasoning to analyze their own thinking and the thinking of others
·
apply the standards of
reasoning to analyze their own thinking and the thinking of others
·
use critical reading
strategies to analyze a variety of texts
·
plan, draft, and revise
critical writing in a variety of rhetorical contexts and disciplines
·
effectively discuss their
thinking and the thinking of others in a variety of oral forms (e.g.,
discussions, group
presentations, etc.)
Attitudes:
By the end of the semester, students will be able to
·
recognize and appreciate the
differences between critical and noncritical thinking in both themselves and
others
·
integrate critical thinking
character traits into their academic and personal lives
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES POLICY
Winthrop University is
dedicated to providing access to education. If you have a disability and require
specific accommodations to complete this course, contact Services for Students
with Disabilities at 323-3290. Once you have your official notice of
accommodations from Services for Students with Disabilities, please inform me as
early as possible in the semester. If you have questions about accessibility
statements or other accommodation issues, please contact Services for Students
with Disabilities. Information about services and accommodations is also
available on the Services for Students with Disabilities Web site:
http://www2.winthrop.edu/hcs/DS.htm
STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT STATEMENT
As noted in the Student
Conduct Code: “Responsibility for good conduct rests with students as adult
individuals.” The policy on student
academic misconduct is outlined in the “Student Conduct Code Academic Misconduct
Policy online:
http://www2.winthrop.edu/studentaffairs/handbook/StudentHandbook.pdf
APPROPRIATE USE OF HAND-HELD AND WIRELESS TECHNOLOGY
I will follow the College of
Arts and Sciences policy regarding cell phones, laptops, and other electronic
devices:
http://www2.winthrop.edu/artscience/AppropriateUseApprovedPolicyMar2010.pdf
GLOBAL LEARNING INITIATIVE
This course participates in
the Global Learning Initiative. The global learning components of the course
include global issues pertaining to energy history, policy, economics, and
future implications.
REQUIREMENTS:
▸
attendance and participation
▸
two 5-10 pp. essays (15% first; 25% second)
▸
one in-class essay (10%)
▸
one 10-12 pp. research paper (25%)
▸
blogs and discussion forums (10%)
▸
thinking/reading journal (5%)
▸
final exam (10%)
ATTENDANCE:
I will follow the Winthrop attendance policy, which means that seven or
more absences for any reason will result in an automatic grade of “F” for the
course. Except for
emergencies, you should never miss any classes, but if you find that you
must miss, please let me know, beforehand if possible. Each missed class above
two will result in a one-point grade average penalty for each day; e.g., three
absences = one point penalty; four absences = two point penalty, and so on.
I will take attendance every day.
GRADING SCALE:
A
94-100
A-
91-93
B+
88-90
B
84-87
B-
81-83
C+
78-80
C
74-77
C-
71-73
D+
68-70
D
64-67
D-
61-63
F
0-60
TEXTS:
Gerald M.
Nosich, Learning To Think Through Things: A Guide to Critical
Thinking Across the Curriculum (4th ed.)
David Rosenwasser and Jill
Stephen, Writing Analytically (6th ed.)
Paul Roberts, The End of
Oil
Muriel Harris, Prentice Hall Reference Guide to Grammar and Usage (6th ed.)
SYLLABUS
(students are responsible for
any changes):
AUGUST |
|
24 W |
Introduction
(as you read Nosich, annotate reading and write responses to at least
three grey boxes per chapter in thinking journal; do assigned exercises
in Nosich and Writing Analytically in thinking journal; starred
items may be posted as blog entries if you wish) |
29 M |
Nosich: To the Student (xxiv); Chapter 1–What Is Critical Thinking?
(1); Ex. 1.1; 1.2; 1.3; 1.9; 1.10; 1.17*; 1.23* |
31 W |
Nosich: Ch.1 |
SEPTEMBER |
|
5 M |
Nosich: Ch.1; Writing Analytically:
Chapter 1– Introduction:
Fourteen Short Takes on Writing and the Writing Process (5) |
7 W |
Nosich: Chapter 2–The
Elements of Reasoning (47); Ex. 2.1; 2.2; 2.3; 2.6; 2.7; 2.9;
2.16*
|
12 M |
Nosich: Ch. 2; Writing Analytically:
Chapter 1 |
14 W |
Nosich: Ch. 2; Writing
Analytically:
Chapter 2– Toolkit of Analytical Methods I:
Seeing Better, Seeing More (23); Ex.
2.1; 2.4; 2.10; 2.12; 2.13
|
19 M |
Nosich: Ch. 2; Writing Analytically:
Chapter 2 |
21 W |
Nosich: Chapter 3–What Is
Critical Thinking Within a Field or Discipline?
(86); Ex. 3.1; 3.3; 3.4; 3.10;
3.19*;
3.21* |
23 F |
paper due
|
26 M
|
Nosich: Ch. 3; Writing Analytically:
Chapter 3–Analysis:
What It Is and What It Does (53); Ex. 3.3 |
28 W |
Nosich: Chapter 4–Standards
of Critical Thinking (133); Ex.
4.1; 4.2; 4.9*
|
OCTOBER |
|
3 M |
Nosich: Chapter 4;
Writing
Analytically:
Chapter 4–Toolkit of Analytical Tools II:
Going Deeper (85)
|
5 W |
Nosich: Ch. 4; Writing
Analytically:
Chapter 5–Writing About Reading: More Moves to Make With Written
Texts (105) |
10 M |
Nosich: Ch. 4; Writing
Analytically:
Chapter 6—Making Interpretations Plausible (133)
|
12 W |
Nosich: Chapter 5–Putting
It All Together: Answering Critical Thinking Questions (168); Ex. 5.16;
5.17; 5.22*; 5.23*;
5.24*
|
13 R |
paper due
|
17 M |
Fall Break |
19 W |
Nosich: Ch. 5; Writing Analytically:
Chapter 7—Making Common Topics More Analytical (151)
|
24 M |
In-class Essay |
26 W |
The End of Oil;
Writing
Analytically:
Chapter 8–Reasoning From Evidence to Claims (165); Ex. 8.3 |
31 M
|
The End of Oil;
Writing Analytically: Chapter 9--Analyzing Arguments (191) |
NOVEMBER |
|
2 W |
The End of Oil;
Writing Analytically:
Chapter 10—Using Evidence To Build a Paper: 10 on 1 (207)
Chapter 13–Using Sources Analytically:
The Conversation Model (267)
|
7 M |
The End of Oil;
Writing Analytically:
Chapter 14–Finding, Citing, and Integrating Sources (283) |
9 W |
The End of Oil;
Writing Analytically:
Chapter 11—Making a Thesis Evolve (227); Ex. 11.1; 11.2 |
14 M
|
The End of Oil;
Writing Analytically: Chapter 12–Recognizing and Fixing Weak
Thesis Statements (255); Ex. 12.1; 12.2
|
16 W |
The End of Oil;
Writing Analytically: Chapter 15–Forms and Formats Across the
Curriculum (317); Ex. 15.1; 15.3 |
21 M |
The End of Oil;
Writing Analytically:
Chapter 16—Introductions and
Conclusions Across the Curriculum (349) |
23 W |
No class–Thanksgiving
break |
28 M |
The End of Oil;
Writing Analytically:
Chapter 17—Revising For Style:
Word Choice (375); Ex. 17.2
|
30 W |
The End of Oil;
Writing Analytically:
Chapter 18—Revising For Style:
The Rhetoric of the Sentence (391); Ex. 18.2; 18.4; 18.6
|
DECEMBER |
|
2 F |
paper due
|
5 M |
Last Class–Nosich: Ch. 5 |
6 T |
Study Day |
9 F |
Final Exam–3:00 p.m. |