Instructor: Bryan R. Ghent            

Course Description and Overview:

This is a three-credit-hour course that examines the language of critical thinking and argumentation and focuses on the connection between writing and critical thinking, using critical reading and critical thinking as springboards for researched, argumentative writing assignments.

Course and Touchstone Goals:

• To demonstrate that the complex process of critical thinking is a part of all we do and that the process relies on such skills as observing, listening, reading, and writing.
• To use writing, reading, speaking, and critical thinking to foster intellectual growth in an academic environment.
• To recognize critical thinking and problem solving strategies in different academic disciplines and for different audiences.
• To evaluate arguments, evidence, and the contexts in which they appear.
• 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 recognize individual writing voices and learn how those voices can be adapted to fit different audiences and rhetorical situations.
• To revise effectively by completely rethinking, restructuring, and rewriting essays.
• To demonstrate improved oral communication skills in class discussions and small group activities.

·         To demonstrate successful mastery of MLA documentation according to The Correct Use of Borrowed Information.

·         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 examine values, attitudes, beliefs, and habits which define the nature and quality of life.

Student Learning Outcomes- students will be able to:

·         Identify and define the elements and standards of reasoning.

·         Apply the elements and standards of reasoning to their own thinking and the thinking of others.

·         Identify and define filters, barriers, and impediments to critical thinking

·         Use critical reading strategies to analyze a variety of texts.

·         Propose, organize, and defend a reasoned analysis.

·         Integrate critical thinking character traits into their academic and personal lives.

·         Compose 6,000 words of mature nonfiction prose.

CRTW 201 is a core course in the General Education curriculum, and is required for graduation.

A grade of C- or better is needed to pass.

Required Texts:                                                                                                                                  Harris, Muriel. Prentice Hall Reference Guide to Grammar and Usage (optional)

Nosich, Gerald. Learning to Think Things Through. Prentice Hall. 3^rd Edition.                                                  Postman, Neil. Amusing Ourselves to Death. Penguin, 2005                                                                                                                                                                                            

Course Requirements:

Argumentative Essay #1                        10%

Argumentative Essay #2                        20%

Blogs/Short Essays                                 10%

In-Class Essay                                       10%

Conference                                              5%

Quizzes                                                  10%

Participation                                           20%

Presentation                                             5%

Final Exam                                            10%

Grading Standards:

I will use plus/minus grades and the following conversion 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.

Most graded assignments will be assessed in 2 parts: Content and Deadline - 50 pts each.

An assignment turned in on time as requested will receive 50 points, each day late will reduce by 10 pts until 0 pts after 5 days. 50 points will allotted to the paper’s content as explained on the CRTW rubric:

The A paper, superior work that far exceeds requirements, will receive 42, 45, or 48 points.

The B paper, with clear sense of purpose and good analysis, will receive 32, 35, or 38 points.

The C paper, that is adequate but not fully developed, will receive 22, 25, or 28 points.

The D paper, a serious attempt to fulfill the assignment, will receive 12, 15, or 18 points.

The F paper, unacceptable work that fails to meet requirements, will receive 8, 5, or 2 points.

Late Work Policy:

Late means missing a paper deadline, a conference, a presentation, or in-class assignment, for any reason. 1-5 min late = -5 pts. 10 points is subtracted for each day of the week an assignment is late. After 5 days the paper will not be accepted. A hard copy of each paper must be in my hands at the beginning of class on the date it is due, as requested, unless otherwise specified. Papers e-mailed to me or left outside my office without  prior consent will be given a late penalty of 10 points per week day. Papers not submitted to Turnitin on time will be reduced 10 points per day. Late arrival to class will result in a 25 point penalty to the day’s participation grade. Final exams, in-class essays, presentations, conferences and quizzes are given on one day only.

Special circumstances: Students who find themselves incapacitated due to illness must submit a valid doctor’s note, describing the student as unable to perform their duties and detailing exactly which days that student was incapacitated. Late penalties will not be incurred against students for those specific dates during which they were verifiably incapacitated.  Students representing the school will also not incur late penalties for those specific dates during which they were verifiably representing the university. The death of an immediate family member will also incur no penalty. The attempt to falsify verification will result in failure of the course. Students will still be recorded absent for those verifiably incapacitated dates (5 absences total – there is no excused absence), but opportunities for make-up work will be offered upon return at the instructor’s convenience. Doctor’s notes must be presented to the instructor in his office, never during class time. A student’s personal legal issues are not adequate grounds for make-up work or missing classes.  

Failure to submit any formal assignment will result in a failing grade for the course.

Assignments:

All out-of-class essays are required to be submitted in MLA format: 12pt Times New Roman Font,

with 1 inch margins, and must be stapled (at a 45 degree angle ½ inch from the upper left corner), and placed in a prescribed pocket folder along with annotated copies of source material.

Argumentative Essay #1 – 10%:

A 5-8 page (1,400 word minimum) paper. A thesis driven essay on a topic of your choice using the elements and standards of thinking and 3 diverse sources as a framework for developing an analysis. Hardcopy due in class and submitted to turnitin.com by midnight on the day it is due.

Argumentative Essay #2 – 20%:

A 6-10 page (1,800 word minimum) paper. A thesis-driven essay on a topic assigned to you, using the elements and standards and 5 diverse sources. Hardcopy in class on and turnitin by midnight.

Short Essay/Blog Entries – 10%:

These are typed “think pieces,” including 200-500 word responses to various prompts that will be posted on the class Ning site or turned-in to instructor. The final grade will be determined by averaging grades from entries totaling no less than 2,000 words.

In-Class Essay – 10%:

A 500-700 word, handwritten response to a spontaneous prompt. This is given on one day only.

Conferences – 5%:

These are scheduled 30-60 minute meetings in my office regarding Argumentative Essay #2. To receive full credit the student must bring a complete rough draft, copies of all sources, notes and outlines, and be able to mindfully discuss the elements and standards of thinking in addition to displaying a competence in mechanics and writing conventions. Grades will be adversely affected by rescheduling, late arrival, failure to bring a completed draft, and lack of critical thinking skills.

Quizzes – 10%:

No less than 2, no more than 8.  These may take a variety of forms. Grades will be averaged.

Participation – 20%:

Grades averaged from no less than 10 opportunities, 100 points split between Attendance and Discussion: Daily sign-in sheet; Present/On-Time = 50pts, Present/Late = 25pts. Participation; Discussion Insightful (check-plus) = 50pts, Discussion Relevant (check) = 30 pts, Non-Discussion = 0pts. Direct reference to a quote in the reading and use of the elements and standards help make a comment insightful. Peer Review days are also opportunities for participation points.

Use of a laptop or cell phone during class time without written consent will reduce 5 points off of the final course participation grade, as will sleeping in class or not bringing a required draft to a class workshop.

Presentation – 5%:

Students will present material before a group or the entire class at least once and possibly twice during this semester. These presentations are scheduled and if missed cannot be made-up.

Final Exam – 10%:

A 500-700 word, handwritten response to a spontaneous prompt.

This is offered on one day only: Tuesday, May 3^rd at 3:00 pm

Extra Credit: 25pts

A published letter to the editor, before the final exam, in the Rock Hill Herald: letters@heraldonline.com

Attendance Policy:

Upon a student’s 5th absence the student will receive a failing grade for the course.

Additionally, there are a number of daily in-class assignments that count toward writing, quiz, and participation grades that cannot be made up.

Missing a scheduled conference will count as 2 absences and a failing grade for the conference. A meeting could without graded credit be rescheduled at instructor’s convenience.

Student Code of Conduct:

“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.

Plagiarism is a theft of intellectual property and will not be tolerated, whether intentional or not. Failing the course is the penalty for plagiarism. Students are responsible for knowing The Code of Student Conduct in the Student Handbook. Upon the first instance of Academic Misconduct as defined in the handbook, the student will fail this class with a grade of F and full disciplinary action will be taken. No excuse for this misconduct is acceptable.

We will use turnitin.com for Argumentative Essay #1 and #2. Papers not submitted will not be graded, and will be reduced 10 points for each day late.

The class name is CRTW Spring 2011, id# is: 3718746 and the password is: critical

Revision Policy:

Argumentative Essay #1 can be revised if the student schedules a conference within 5 days of when the graded work was returned by the instructor. After a mandatory conference about the failing work, the student will have 5 days to submit a total rewrite of the original assignment. After these deadlines, no work will be accepted. The revision grade will then be averaged with the original grade for a final grade for that assignment.

Web:

Students are responsible for being on the Listserve, Turnitin, and Ning sites.

Student Accommodation:

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.

Teaching and Learning Philosophy:

The instructor’s role is that of facilitator and assessor.

Students are expected to engage with their course work and develop meaningful responses to various discussion and writing prompts using the elements and standards of critical thinking.

Students are responsible for any changes to syllabus or calendar made by the instructor. These changes will be mentioned in class and may be updated through Listserve and Ning.

It is not the instructor’s responsibility to remind students of these policies, or announce when there has been an infraction.