REQUIRED TEXTS:
THiNK: Critical Thinking for Everyday Life(Judith A. Boss)
Prerequisite: English 1A with a grade of "C" or better.
Catalog Statement
This course is designed for students who wish to transfer to a four year college or university. The course will emphasize the development of critical thinking skills through instruction in essay writing by focusing on the principles of logic and developing the abilities to analyze, to criticize, and to reach reasoned conclusions. Critical thinking will be refined by close reading of mainly non-fiction prose to distinguish fact from value judgment and knowledge from mere opinion. Students will be required to write between 8,000 and 10,000 words divided among several essay assignments. (CSU, UC)
General Aims
The student will
Course Objectives
The student will
Course Outline
I. Critical Thinking Skills: Elements of Reasoning
Students will practice the critical thinking processes on a variety of topics in informal and formal situations both in speech and in writing. The stages of problem recognition, information gathering, information interpreting, conclusion drawing, and decision making will be exercised and analyzed throughout the semester.
The student will
II. Critical Reading Skills
Students will practice comprehension, paraphrasing, synthesizing, and evaluating skills as they read theme-centered groupings of literary works from a variety of genres.
The student will
III. Critical Writing Skills
Students will independently establish argumentative claims and support them through the application of logic and the marshalling of clear and valid evidence presented in a compelling and unified manner. Writing goals encompass the understanding of classical rhetorical devices and organizational patterns of argument, proficiency in using these devices and patterns, and competency in recognizing, selecting, and employing credible sources for support of an opinion.
A. PREWRITING SKILLS
The student will
B. COMPOSING SKILLS
The student will
Student's Obligations
Because English 1D is a transfer-level English composition course comparable to those courses offered by the state college and university systems, students are expected to approach the course with a mature outlook and the desire to learn and utilize the material being studied.
Success in this course calls for three essentials:
For each unexcused absence beyond three, ten points will be subtracted from your semester point total.
Method of Evaluation
Students will be evaluated on the level of critical thinking, reading, and writing skills they demonstrate in their prewriting activities, journal entries, writing exercises, group discussions and presentations, formal essays, quizzes, and written examinations.
The mastery of these skills will be measured primarily by the formal argumentative essay assignments.
A or B
An essay that meets composition requirements: worthwhile content; sensible organization; readable style; and appropriate style, and mechanics.
C
An essay that satisfies most of these requirements, but has a few easily correctable deficiencies.
D or F
An essay that needs extensive revision to meet all the requirements or has the type or number of mechanical errors that would distract reader comprehension.
C or D or F
The first two essays may be rewritten for a higher grade. Revisions for a better grade must be resubmitted by the next immediate class meeting. A Grade of B is the highest grade possible on any rewritten essay.
Grading Policy
A 4.0 100 - 93 C+ 2.3 79 - 78 A- 3.7 92 - 90 C 2.0 77 - 73 B+ 3.3 89 - 88 C- 1.7 72 - 70 B 3.0 87 - 83 D+ 1.3 69 - 68 B- 2.7 82 - 80 D 1.0 67 - 60 F 0.0 59 - 0
The final course grade will be determined by the following:
Major Documented Research Essays - Due Dates
- Major Documented Research Essay #1 _____________________________
- Major Documented Research Essay #2 _____________________________
- Major Documented Research Essay #3 _____________________________
- Major Documented Research Essay #4 _____________________________
- Major Documented Research Essay #5 _____________________________
All Major Documented Research Essays must
- be argumentative;
- consist of a minimum of 5 pages (Major Documented Research Essay #4 has an eight page minimum.;
- cite a minimum of 4 sources;
- adhere to appropriate documentation style guides such as MLA or APA;
- be typed and use a 10 or 12 font size.
Office: SHIMA 201
Phone: (209)954-5589
Conference Hours: By Appointment (Answering machine if not in)
English 1D Final Exam Schedule DAY__________________ DATE__________________ TIME _____________