Syllabus -- E75 Critical Thinking

ENGLISH 75 Syllabus Lincoln University

CRITICAL THINKING

Dr. Sylvia Y. R. Schoemaker mailto: drsylviaca@gmail.com

Semester: Fall 2006

Contact hours: 48

Units: 3

Days: T-Th; Time: 9:30 -10:45; Location: Second floor -- Boardroom

Office hours: T-Th, 9-9:30, 12:15-1, by arrangement

Phone: 510.628.8036

Course Blog: http://cthinknow.blogspot.com

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

Catalog Course Description

ENG 75- CRITICAL THINKING (UNIVERSITY COURSE LISTING) Consideration of cognitive skills and communicative strategies for defining, applying, analyzing, synthesizing and evaluating information. 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)

Methods and Materials

A cooperative learning model will be employed. Small group and individual discovery exercises and presentations will augment lectures, class discussions and applications.

Emphasis will be on a systems approach to analysis and solution of complex problems, a conceptual approach to issues in problem definition, goal determination and measurement of effectiveness.

Required Texts:

(TFY) Mayfield, Marlys. Thinking for Yourself. 6th Edition. Boston: Heinle, 2004. (ISBN: 0-8384-0735-8)

(CRCB) Daiek,Deborah and Macomb, Nancy. Critical Reading for College and Beyond. McGraw-Hill, 2004. (ISBN: 0072473762)

Recommended Text:

(CPS) Harris, Robert. A. Creative Problem Solving. Los Angeles: Pyrczak Publishing, 2002. ISBN: 1-884585-43-4

Student Responsibilities:

Students are expected to attend class, be punctual, follow classroom decorum, complete assignments, participate in the course in a productive manner, and to take personal responsibility for meeting the objectives of the course.

Evaluation

Students will be evaluated on the basis of all assignments, exercises, class participation, portfolios, midterm and final presentations; extra credit work/journals. Student course productivity will be averaged in appropriate proportions in determining the final grade along the following guidelines:

Classroom work:

Attendance, punctuality, decorum 10%

Productive classroom participation 10%

Class quizzes, exercises 15%

Individual/ group presentations 10%

Term Assignments:

Midterm ePortfolio 20%

Final ePortfolio 25%

Extra credit work/journals 10%

Week# TFY Chpt #; CRCB Chapt #
1 Observation 1; Reading 1
2 Word Precision 2; Vocabulary 2
3 Facts 3; Memory 3
4 Inferences 4; Time 4
5 Assumptions 5; Main Ideas 5
6 Opinions 6; Details 6
7 Evaluations 7; Inference 7
8 MT ePortfolio Review
9 Review; PSR Strategies 9
10 Viewpoints 8; Marking 10
11 Argument 9; Adv Strategies 11
12 Fallacies 10; Arguments 12
13 Inductive Reasoning 11; Cognitive Domain 13
14 Deductive Reasoning 12; Evaluation 14
15 Research Paper; Appendix Applications
16 Prepare ePortfolio
17 Final ePortfolio