Philosophy/English 13

Critical Reasoning and Writing

Instructor: Keith A. Law

Office: IAC #260

“ If it is peace of mind and comfort you want then believe; however, if you are devoted to truth then inquire”                                                                                                       -  Friedrich Nietzsche

Purpose:  Critical reasoning and writing emphasizes the development of critical thinking skills through instruction in reading and writing arguments.  Be advised: some content of this course is adult in nature, and academic freedom is a necessary condition for our pursuit of knowledge; therefore, you may be exposed to material concerning sex, gender, race, etc that some may experience as offensive. 

Expected Student Outcomes: Successful students will: Identify and describe the main claim or conclusion of an argument; identify and describe the chief support or reason(s) for accepting the main claim; analyze weaknesses in arguments produced by fallacies; examine unstated reasons (warrants) in arguments; relate other elements of arguments (i.e. qualifiers, backing, and exceptions); evaluate the effectiveness of an argument for a given audience; compose a scholarly argument from several sources; differentiate a valid from an invalid argument and a strong from a weak argument.

Materials: 

1.                  TEXTS: On Bullshit, by Harry Frankfurt;

            Critical Reasoning and Argument Writing Across Cultural                     Divides, by, Keith Law (unpublished manuscript)    

2.                  JOURNAL: will be used for all non-formal homework assignments. They will be graded on a regular basis.  (Composition book, or flat spiral binder if using computer).

Course Requirements and Method of Evaluation:

1.                              Participation/attendance………100

2.                              Journal ……………………….....100

3.                              Tests (2 x 100) …….…………...200

4.                              Writing assignments (2 x 50….. 100

5.                              Argument Papers (3 x 100) …..  300

6.               Final Exam ……………………..  200

* + 900 = A,  + 800 = B,  + 600 = C, + 500 = D, - 500 = F

Extra Credit:  Five extra-credit assignments will add 50 pts.; thus, this can bring a borderline grade of C + or better up to the higher grade. You must do five assignments to get any points, and extra-credit will not raise a grade that is less than a C.

Academic Dishonesty: Cheating (copying answers or using pre-written answers on tests) and plagiarism (the use of another’s writing or ideas as one’s own) will result in a failing grade for that graded work.  

Course Schedule: may be revised if needed

                           WEEK                                   TOPIC

1.            Introduction &  Writing assessment

                           Read: Preface              

2.         Chapter #1: Introduction to Critical Thinking

3.         Chapter #2: Introduction to arguments - Read: Ch. 2

4.         Chapter #2:  Cont.

          Chapter #3: Defining the issue: Censorship of Hate Speech

                     on College Campuses

          Test#1 – Covers Preface – Ch. #2

5.        Chapter #4:  The Analysis of Arguments -Part 1

                      Compositional analysis

          Reading: Ch. 4. (Paper #1)

6.         Chapter #5: Logical Analysis of Arguments.

          Reading: Ch. #5                

7.         Chapter #5: Cont.

          Reading Ch. 5

8.         Chapter #5: Cont.  (Paper #2)                              

      Test #2 – Covers Ch.3 - 5

Begin Analysis of argument for term argument paper

9.      1. Chapter 6: Fallacies (1-5)  

         2. Logical outline of argument: side one  

10.    1. Review fallacies 1-5 / Learn fallacies 7-10  

         2. Logical outline of argument: side two

11.    1. Review Fallacies 6-10    

         2. Logical outline of your position: argument #1

12.    1. Argument paper #1 due + Fallacies Ch.#7   

         2. Logical outline of argument#2: side one

13.    1. Paper #1 returned for rewrite + Fallacies Ch. #7           

         2.  Logical outline of argument #2: side two

14.    1. Logical outline of argument #2: your side

         2. Argument paper #2 due + Fallacies Ch. #7

15.    1. Logical outline of On Bullshit, by H. Frankfurt

         2. Summary of On Bullshit

16.    1. Evaluation of On Bullshit  

         2. Final argument paper due, On Bullshit 

17.    1. Return final argument paper for rewrite               

         2. Review fallacies for final test #2

18       Final Argument paper rewrite due + Final Exam 

Unless otherwise mentioned, all assignments are to be typed, printed in 12 point font, double spaced, and, if more than one page, stapled. One grade is subtracted from late assignments; if the absence is unexcused the assignment can earn no higher than a “D”.

Keith A. Law   
209.386.6689
law.k@mccd.edu