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Syllabus

ENGLISH 75 CRITICAL THINKING

Prerequisite/Co-requisite Courses: None
Spring 2009 (3), Tuesdays, 9-11:45
Instructor: Dr. Sylvia Y. R. Schoemaker
Phone: 510.628.8036
Office Hours: T-Th 11:45-12:390 and by arrangement
E-mail: profs360@gmail.com
Blog: http://cthinkcenter.blogspot.com
Wiki: http://cthinkcenter.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 effective 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

Thinking for Yourself Site

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	Unit	TFY Text Reference	CRCB Text Reference
1	13-Jan	Introduction Where Do You Stand?
2	20-Jan	Observation	TFY C1, Observation	CRCB C13, Cognitive Domain
3	27-Jan	Language and Thought	TFY C2, Word Precision	CRCB C2, Vocabulary
4	3-Feb	Facts	TFY C3, Facts	CRCB C6, Details CRCB C5, Main Ideas
5	10-Feb	Inferences	TFY C4, Inferences	CRCB C7, Inference
6	17-Feb	Assumptions	TFY C5, Assumptions	CRCB C10, Marking
7	24-Feb	Opinions	TFY C6, Opinions	CRCB C9, PSR Strategies
8	3-Mar	Midterm
9	10-Mar	Evaluations	TFY C7, Evaluations	CRCB C14, Evaluation
	17-Mar	SPRING RECESS
10	24-Mar	Points of View	TFY C8, Viewpoints	CRCB C4, Time
11	31-Mar	Argument	TFY C9, Argument	CRCB C12, Arguments
12	7-Apr	Fallacies	TFY C10, Fallacies	CRCB C8, Texts
13	14-Apr	Induction	TFY C11, Inductive Reasoning	CRCB C1, Reading
14	21-Apr	Deduction	TFY C12, Deductive Reasoning	CRCB C11, Advanced Strategies
15	28-Apr	Review Characteristics of a Critical Thinker
16	5-May	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