Course Overview: We are confronted nearly every day with arguments from various sources (politicians, editorial pages, and academic texts, to name a few) trying to convince us of some position or other. This course seeks to develop the student's critical thinking skills by teaching him or her how to evaluate arguments and formulate good arguments of his or her own. We will learn how to identify premises and conclusions as well as various fallacies in reasoning. We will also look at arguments that involve inductive reasoning.

Text: The required text for this course is

• Rudinow and Barry Invitation to Critical Thinking, Thomson Wadsworth 5th edition

You will also be required to get the Minneapolis Star Tribune once a week. I have arranged for papers to be delivered for the class at a reduced rate. I will hand these papers out the beginning of every week. I will be collecting $4.20 to cover the cost of the semester's subscription. You will be responsible for both the reading assignments from the book (outlined below) and for reading the paper (mainly the news section) every week. You should bring both the text and the paper to class in order to facilitate discussions.

Evaluation: Your grade in this class will be determined through in-class quizzes, written assignments from the newspaper, and a research paper. Each of these will be worth 100 points, for a total of 300 points possible. (There will be roughly 10 quizzes, each worth 10 points, and 10 written assignments, each worth 10 points. The research paper will be worth 100 points.) Quizzes and written assignments will be announced in class. I will allow make-up quizzes, or accept late written assignments, only in extreme circumstances. In every case, written evidence will be required (doctor's note, etc.).

The range for "A" grades is 90% and above (270 or more points). The range for "B" grades is 80% – 89%. The range for "C" grades is 70% – 79%. The range for "D" grades is 60% – 69%. Anything below 60% is an "F". I do use the plus/minus system (so 90% – 92% is an "A minus", etc.).

Policies:

(1) You are responsible for all assignments to be handed in. Excuses for an assignment not being handed in on time such as you handed in the paper to my mailbox, slid it under my door, or gave it to a friend to hand in are unacceptable. I will take assignments placed in my mailbox, but if the assignment never shows up for whatever reason, it will count as late. You should be in class to hand in all assignments; otherwise you take the risk of not getting credit for your work.

(2) I will not allow any late assignments to be handed in or allow make-up quizzes unless there is some good reason (it should be a true emergency – not a family vacation or birth of a niece or nephew). In any event, written documentation will be required. You should get in touch with me as soon as possible if such a situation arises.

(3) You are permitted to have three unexcused absences. Your overall grade for the course will be lowered by two percentage points for each unexcused absence beyond the first three. As with exams and assignments, excused absences will only be given for emergencies and only when there is written documentation.

(4) You are expected to be in class and have done the reading for the day. It is simple courtesy to be in class on time and in your seat. If you have to be late for some reason, please enter the room and take your seat quietly, so as not to disturb the class. PLEASE TURN OFF ALL CELLPHONES AND PAGERS. Finally, do not stand up and walk out in the middle of the class period. This is distracting and rude to the other students and me. If you must leave early for some reason, please talk to me before class and sit near the door.

Tentative Schedule of Assignments:

In the schedule below, the column headed "Read" indicates which chapter in the text the student should read for the week. This reading should be completed early in the week, and certainly before Wednesday. Again, these dates are tentative: I will try to stick to them as closely as possible, but they may change if events warrant it. While Chapter 13 is not assigned at any point, you may find it useful to refer to throughout the semester in writing your research paper. I will make occasional reference to it.

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