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Assistant:
Ryan Brown, office CC203 (654-2384).
Email rbrown22@runner.csub.edu
Web Page: http://stuweb.csub.edu/~rbrown22
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Fall 2007 Quarter Times and Places
2. Course Goals: Each student will apply critical thinking to
contemporary social and personal proplems and in the process develop
the following:
(1) Achieve an understanding of the relationship of language to
logic.
(2) Develop the ability to analyze, critique, and advocate ideas.
(3) Learn to reason inductively and deductively.
(4) Learn how to reach factual or judgmental conclusions based on sound inferences drawn from unambiguous statements.
(5) Develop techniques to reach tentative conclusions based on incomplete information.
(6) Apply logic and critical thinking to selected life problems, contemporary social problems.
(7) Apply logic and critical thinking to data problems, scientific studies, governmental data, popular studies and opinion polls.
(8) Develop Information Competency skills including finding and
evaluating credibility and usefulness.
A variety of course activities--text readings, lectures,
discussions,
films, group exercises, research exercises, quizzes, and exams are
utilized
to
contribute to attaining these goals.
The Los Angeles Times, New York Times or Wall Street Journal newspaper, available in the library and at many newsstands (not all) or in most local libraries. Students can get a free copy of The Los Angeles Times or New York Times at the Union if you go early enough. You could share with a friend. It is expected that you will scan at least one of these papers either Sunday or daily and be aware of current events, values, attitudes, and related issues. This will be used as resource material for debates, class projects, discussions and test examples.
Class members on the way to or from CSUB should listen to one hour
of NPR Morning Edition (5:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.) and/or All
things
Considered (5:00 p.m. -7:00 p.m. on public radio at 89.2 FM) and
when possible see
60 Minutes Sunday 7:00-8:00 on CBS. Also suggested is The
Daily Show and The
Colbert Report (10:00
and 11:00pm on
Comedy Central).
Additional class materials, library reading assignments and video movies will be made available as needed. Where possible material will be placed on the web server and/or closed reserve at the C.S.U.B. library. Videos will be placed on closed reserve for a period of one week when possible.
Links:
Text
Web Page (8th Edition)
This web site includes various study tools for students for the 8th edition. It has objectives, glossary, tutorials, review and additional quizzes. The web site for the text includes outlines, in depth treatments of complex concepts, quizzes, etc.:Real-World Reasoning
Interesting links to information about various topics in Critical Thinking. Following the "thread" of several current issues is of particular interest for our issue topic assignment.Logic & Fallacies
"There's a lot of debate on the net. Unfortunately, much of it is of very low quality. The aim of this document is to explain the basics of logical reasoning, and hopefully improve the overall quality of debate."The Power of Logic: Basics, Arguments, Categorical Syllogisms, Venn Diagrams, etc.
The home page of the subject of the PBS special The Amazing Randi. Great web site on the debunking of "Miracles". A few years ago his interest was in the book The Bible Code by Michael Drosnin. For a look at an examination of the claims of Drosnin's book when applied to Moby Dick, War and Peace as well as the newest prediction of Michael Drosnin that Princess Di's death was predicted in the Bible, check out: Assassinations Foretold in Moby Dick. A recent focus was the book Natural Cures "They" Don't Want You To Know About and the infomercial by Kevin Trudeau. One continuing topic is his million dollar challange to Sylvia Brown.The Skeptics Dictionary Dictionary and examples of critical thinking including; Alternative Medicine, Cryptozoology, ETs & UFOs, Frauds & Hoax, Junk Science, Logic & Perception, Science & Philosophy, Supernatural Paranormal and New Age
Committee for the Scientific
Investigation
of Claims of the Paranormal CSICOP encourages the
critical
investigation of paranormal and fringe-science claims from a
responsible,
scientific point of view and disseminates factual information about the
results of such inquiries to the scientific community and the
public.
Factcheck.org
"...monitor(s) the
factual accuracy of what is said by major
Information
Competence Toolbox. Check links on this page for help
with a wide range of Information
competence skills, browsing the internet. evaluating web pages, word
processing,
etc.
Every day Critical Thinking (we
will, time available look at these and other topics):
[links will not work until after class exercise] Which is best way to travel?,
How do I avoid telemarketers?
Am I fit?
What is my Credit
Score? Which cellphone
should I buy?
Mass Media vs Social Science Outline (available after assignment completion)
Sample student A05 papers Winter 2006, Fall 2003 (available after assignment completion). These papers are not perfect and have some misconceptions but they are good papers that meet the major expectations of the assignment. Sample A05CT.
I expect students to attend classes, be on time, be prepared and not disrupt class by leaving in the middle of presentations. I will be on time, prepared, and return papers as promptly as possible. Class exercises, presentations, and discussions will provide primary structure for the course with the text, readings and computer exercises providing supporting information. Each class member is responsible for obtaining missed materials, notes, handouts etc., from others in the class. Absences or tardiness beyond two class periods will result in a two percent deduction on final grade for each late, left early or missed class. If you have more than four absences or tardiness, you have missed a significant amount of material and experiences and should likely drop this class. Choose beach/skiing/sick days carefully! Athletes and other students with special scheduling difficulties must discuss these with the instructor 2 weeks prior to the difficulty to be considered for special arrangements. There will be no rescheduling of the final exam.
(2) Communication:
We will use the C.S.U.B. wb site and CSUB Rummer Mail for communication and distribution of class materials. Each student may access their Runner Mail accounts accounts in the main computer lab in the basement of the library or on any computer connected to the internet. Students will have to check their e-mail and if necessary copy materials from the web. Assignments must be turned in at the assigned class. Assignments cannot be submitted by email. You must use Runner Mail for all communication in our class because the RunnerMail system is set up for distribution lists and controlled by CSUB. Be advised, due to a huge amount of junk email I do not always read email from non RunnerMailsources.
The catalog regulations for dropping classes will be followed. Drops only for "serious and compelling reasons" after the 6th week of class.
Plagiarism, copying or imitating the language, ideas and/or thoughts of another author and passing them off as one's original work.Plagiarism is an extremely serious offense. Using published or unpublished material without citing the source is plagiarism. You may use someone else's material if you appropriately enclose it in quotation marks and precisely reference its source. Such material, however, should be used sparingly, if at all. Simply paraphrasing someone else's material by minimal rearrangement of the wording is also plagiarism. It is an equally serious offense if you write a paper for someone else, or copy someone else's work, or allow someone to copy your work. Using material from a paper you previously wrote for another purpose other then this specific class is also plagiarism. Turning in a paper, created by a group, as a personal effort is cheating. Making up data instead of performing appropriate research data collection procedures is considered a serious violation of scientific and academic honesty. In all cases, these acts are cheating. Students who commit any of these offenses will (1) receive a failing grade in the course, and (2) will receive a letter of reprimand from the professor, a copy of which will be placed in their files. A repeated instance of academic fraud will result in a petition to have the student permanently expelled from the university. The CSUB catalog contains a statement on cheating/plagerism/ and the AcademicIntegrityViolation process.Fraud, deceit, trickery, sharp practice or breach of confidence by which it is sought to gain some unfair or dishonest advantage.
(American College Dictionary, Random House, 1964)
Students who may be unsure as to whether or not
their
writing or other work may constitute academic fraud (cheating or
plagiarism)
should seek the advice of their instructor prior to formal submission
or
presentation. Plagiarism and academic fraud are serious offenses, but
they
are easily avoided with a modicum of care and forethought. For more
specifics
on plagiarism I expect everyone to read this source:
Each assignment is worth 3 participation points. I will subtract 1-3 participation points for each paper not satisfactorily completed.
(b) Attendance and components of the Class Project will also be included in participation points, see below
(2) Testing (40 grading points)
Quizzes: Quizzes will be given frequently. They are given to verify study efforts and to determine comprehension and understanding of chapter concepts and class material. Most will occur at the end of discussion of each chapter but some quizzes will be given prior to discussion of the chapter to test reading comprehension and to motivate study.
Midterm: A midterm will be given the 5th or 6th week of the quarter. The midterm will be composed of a selection of questions from multiple choice, fill in the blank, matching, short answer and discussion questions.
Final: A comprehensive final will be given during exam week as per schedule. It will be composed of a selection from multiple choice, fill in the blank, matching, short answer and discussion
(3) Class Project (9 participation and 10 grading points)
Skills in critical thinking will be exercised in developing knowledge of several current social issues. Issues from previous years are listed at the top of this syllabus. Class members will individually and in groups collect news articles and develop knowledge of the various facets of the class chosen social issues. Each group will create and distribute a statement defining and explaining their issue. Points will be awarded for the collection of news articles and the identification of issues, sides of an issue and claims on the issue treated in each article. Extra credit will be given to individuals collecting the most articles on the issues. One assignment will list and evaluate 8 claims (4 pro and 4 con) on a worksheet, identifying appropriate critical thinking aspects of the claims, and deciding usefulness of the clams in a debate. Group points will be based on a groups pro and con draft evaluation of claims for the debate. The final polished paper, one per group, containing an Introduction, Arguments, Rebuttals and Conclusion will be evaluated with each member assigned the group grade. Oral debates evaluated by class members and myself will be the final component of the class project. A comprehensive description of the components of the class project is available on the web at Class Project.
(4) Grade Points Distribution
There are two components for determination of grades; participation (approximately 60 points) and evaluation (approximately 40 points). Participation includes but is not limited to homework, class attendance, group work. It includes all components directed toward learning. Grading/evaluation includes those tasks directed to evaluation of student knowledge and skills and includes quizzes, midterm, debate and final. In general participation requires effort and time on assignments and seeking and giving help to other class members while grading is a comparative evaluation of knowledge and skills.
(NOTE: No quiz or midterm make ups will be given: class quiz average will substitute for missed quizzes. Missed quizzes, exceeding excused absences, will be counted as 0. The final grade will replace an excused, missed midterm.
Participation Points 60 points
Papers-homework 25pts--Short typed papers--see participation points
Class Project 15pts--See Class Project above
Attendance 20pts--See Attendance/etc:, above
Grading/evaluation 40 points *These determine your basic grade*. All individual tests, midterm, quizzes and final exam, (grading/evaluation points), are curved 15% - A, 35% - B, 35% - C, 15% - D.Participation points lost on homework and projects, missed classes (exceeding two), etc. will be subtracted from the grading/evaluation points before grade is assigned by the scale listed below.
Midterm 30% of 40pts- Given 5th or 6th week of quarter
Quizzes 30% of 40pts- of 40 pts- Given on each chapter
Debate 10% of 40pts- of 40 pts- Given last class meetings of quarter
Exam 30% of 40pts- of 40 pts- Given as scheduled
Scale for class grade
97-100 A+ 93-96 A 90-93 A-
87-89 B+ 83-86 B 80-83 B-
77-79 C+ 73-77 C 70-73 C-
67-69 D+ 63-67 D 60-63 D-
below 60 F
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