Syllabus

ENGLISH 75 Syllabus Lincoln University
CRITICAL THINKING
Dr. Sylvia Y. R. Schoemaker profsylvia@gmail.com
Units: 3
Office hours: T-Th, 9-9:30, 12:15-1, by arrangement
Phone: 510.628.8036
Course Blog: 4cthink.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%

Week		TFY		CRCB
1 Th 6/7	Observation	1	Reading	1
	Word Precision	2	Vocabulary	2
2 Th 6/14	Facts	3	Memory	3
	Inferences	4	Time	4
3 Th 6/21	Assumptions	5	Main Ideas	5
	Opinions	6	Details	6
4 Th 6/28	Evaluations	7	Inference	7
	MT Portfolio	Review	Texts	8
	Viewpoints	8	PSR Strategies	9
5 Th 7/5	Argument	9	Marking Advanced Strategies	10. 11
6 Th 7/12	Fallacies	10	Arguments	12
	Inductive Reasoning	11	Cognitive Domain	13
7 T /17 Th 7/19	Deductive Reasoning Final	12	Evaluating Internet Resources	14