CRTW 201–Critical Thinking, Reading, and Writing (Spr. 2008)
TR 3:30-4:45 Owen 207
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:
MWR 1:00-2:00
M 3:30-6:30
DESCRIPTION:
A course that focuses on critical reading, critical thinking, and deliberative/analytical 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.
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.
REQUIREMENTS:
<
attendance and participation<
two 5-8 pp. essays (15% first; 25% second)<
one in-class essay (10%)<
one 10-12 pp. research paper (25%)<
online discussion (5%)<
thinking/reading journal (5%)<
final exam (15%)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
ACADEMIC HONESTY POLICY: I trust you and expect that you will follow all rules of academic honesty. I will also make sure you understand proper MLA documentation. However, if you plagiarize or break other rules of academic honesty, you will receive a zero for the assignment. I will also report the breach of academic honesty to the university, and further penalties may result, including failure of the course and even expulsion from college.
TEXTS:
Gerald M. Nosich, Learning To Think Through Things: A Guide to Critical Thinking Across the Curriculum (2nd ed.)
David Rosenwasser and Jill Stephen, Writing Analytically (4th ed.)
Eric Schlosser, Fast Food Nation
Muriel Harris, Prentice Hall Reference Guide to Grammar and Usage (6th ed.)
SYLLABUS (students are responsible for any changes):
|
JANUARY |
|
|
15 T |
Introduction (as you read Nosich, annotate reading and write responses to at least three grey boxes per chapter in thinking journal; do assigned exercises at ends of chapters in thinking journal) |
|
17 R |
Nosich: To the Student (xv); Chapter 1–What Is Critical Thinking? (1); Ex. 1.1; 1.2; 1.3; 1.9; 1.14; 1.16; 1.23* |
|
22 T |
Nosich: Ch.1 |
|
24 R |
Nosich: Ch.1; Writing Analytically: Chapter 1–Seeing Better: The Analytical Habit of Mind (1); Ex. 1.3, 1.4, 1.7 |
|
29 T |
Nosich: Chapter 2–The Elements of Reasoning (45); Ex. 2.1; 2.2; 2.3; 2.6; 2.7; 2.9; 2.10 |
|
31 R |
Nosich: Ch. 2; Writing Analytically: Chapter 1 |
|
FEBRUARY |
|
|
5 T |
Nosich: Ch. 2; Writing Analytically: Chapter 2–What Is Analysis and How Does It Work? (41); Ex. 2.2, 2.4 |
|
7 R |
Nosich: Ch. 2; Writing Analytically: Chapter 2 |
|
8 F |
paper due by 5:00 p.m. in my office |
|
12 T |
Nosich: Chapter 3–What Is Critical Thinking Within a Field or Discipline? (87); Ex. 3.1; 3.2; 3.10 |
|
14 R |
Nosich: Ch 3; Writing Analytically: Chapter 3–Putting Analysis to Work: Three Extended Examples (77); Ex. 3.3, 3.6 |
|
19 T |
Nosich: Chapter 4–Standards of Critical Thinking (135); Ex. 4.1; 4.4; 4.14 |
|
21 R |
Nosich: Chapter 4; Writing Analytically: Chapter 4–Reading: How to Do It and What to Do With It (109); Ex. 4.2, 4.9 |
|
26 T |
Nosich: Ch. 4; Writing Analytically: Chapter 5–Linking Evidence and Claims: 10 on 1 versus 1 on 10 (137); Ex. 5.1, 5.2, |
|
28 R |
Nosich: Ch. 4; Writing Analytically: Chapter 5 |
|
MARCH |
|
|
4 T |
Nosich: Chapter 5–Putting It All Together: Answering Critical Thinking Questions (171); Ex. 5.3; 5.4; 5.5; 5.6; 5.7 |
|
6 R |
Nosich: Ch. 5; Writing Analytically: Chapter 6–Making a Thesis Evolve (163); Ex. 6.1, 6.4 |
|
11 T |
Writing Analytically: Chapter 7–Recognizing and Fixing Weak Thesis Statements (197); Ex. 7.1, 7.3 |
|
13 R |
In-class Essay |
|
17 —21 F |
Spring Break |
|
25 T |
Fast Food Nation |
|
27 R |
Fast Food Nation; Writing Analytically: Chapter 12–Writing the Researched Paper (295) |
|
28 F |
paper due by 5:00 p.m. in my office |
|
APRIL |
|
|
1 T |
Fast Food Nation; Writing Analytically: Chapter 13–Finding and Citing Sources (323) |
|
3 R |
Fast Food Nation; Writing Analytically: Chapter 8–Introductions and Conclusions (219) |
|
8 T |
Fast Food Nation; Writing Analytically: Chapter 9–Organization: Forms and Formats (241); Ex. 9.1, 9.2 |
|
10 R |
Fast Food Nation; Writing Analytically: Chapter 10–Style: Choosing Words (257); Ex. 10.5 |
|
15 T |
Fast Food Nation; Writing Analytically: Chapter 11–Style: Shaping Sentences (and Cutting the Fat) (275); Ex. 11.1, 11.2, 11.3, 11.5 |
|
17 R |
Fast Food Nation |
|
22 T |
Fast Food Nation |
|
24 R |
Last Class–Nosich Ch. 5 |
|
25 F |
paper due by 5:00 p.m. in my office |
|
29 T |
Study Day |
|
MAY |
|
|
1 R |
Final Exam–3:00 p.m. |