Faculty of Liberal Arts and Professional Studies

York University
2016-2017
AP/MODR 1770 A
Term: Y

ENROL HERE
Course Timetable Information is available from the Course Schedule at
the York Courses Web site. Please ensure you print or note your Course
Type, Day, Start Time, Duration, Location and Cat#.
IMPORTANT DATES
Course Instructor Contact: holtved@yorku.ca
Office: Ross401S
Office hours: Monday 11:30 to 12:30
Calendar Description: (auto populated)
Prerequisite / Co-requisite: None
Required Course Text / Readings: Critical Thinking: Argument and
Argumentation (2nd edition) by Jean Saindon and Peter Krek

Expanded Course Description:

This course is an introduction to critical thinking whose objective is to
give students the skills needed to analyze arguments in a critical and
systematic fashion. The theory underlying these skills will be put into
practice through group work done in class, where you will be assigned
a variety of exercises that will allow you to develop and apply the
techniques you've been taught until you master them. Throughout the
term we will apply what we've learned to arguments found in a variety
of disciplines (ethics, politics, the cognitive sciences etc) and expressed
through a variety of platforms (social media, film etc). We will cover
such issues as (but will not be limited to) euthanasia, torture and
problems arising from technological change. In other words, you will be
dealing with arguments found in the 'real world'. The techniques
presented in this course provide a good training in intellectual selfdefence, by showing you how to organize your thoughts in a coherent
fashion, and present work that is well structured and well written. In this
way you will be able to argue more effectively for whichever position
you take on any of the issues we will be exploring, and not be led astray
by many persuasive yet fallacious modes of reasoning.

Organization of the Course:

For each of the assigned modules in the textbook, youwillbeworkingthrough

assignedexercisesinthecorrespondingmodulesofthestudyguide.
Argumentmappingtest:October3.
Module3inthetextbook.
Argumentevaluationtest:November7.
Modules4and5inthetextbook.
Fallacytest:December5.
Module7inthetextbook
CriticalEssay:DueFebruary27.
Modules6and8inthetextbook.
ArgumentationEssay:DueApril5:
Modules10and11inthetextbook
Participation:
Gradebasedongroupworkdoneinclassonaweeklybasisandsubmittedthrough
Moodle.

Course Learning Objectives:

Youwilllearnhowtodiagramargumentstructure,distinguishdeductivefrom
inductivearguments,identifycommonfallacies,criticallyanalyzeextendedtextsand
writeapositionpaper.
Weighting of Course:
Argumentmappingtest:10%;Argumentevaluationtest:20%;Fallacytest:20%
CriticalAnalysis:20%;PositionPaper20%.Participation10%(Gradebasedon
groupworkdoneinclassandsubmittedtoMoodle).
Additional Information:

(the area below is auto populated)

IMPORTANT COURSE INFORMATION
The Senate Committee on Curriculum & Academic Standards Web site provides an
important read, the: STUDENT INFORMATION SHEET.
The Student Information Sheet includes:
Yorks Academic Honesty Policy and Procedures/Academic Integrity Website
Access/Disability
Ethics Review Process for Research Involving Human Participants
Religious Observance Accommodation
Student Conduct Standards
Additional information:

Academic Accommodation for Students with Disabilities

Alternate Exam and Test Scheduling
Grading Scheme and Feedback Policy

The Senate Grading Scheme and Feedback Policy stipulates that (a) the grading scheme
(i.e. kinds and weights of assignments, essays, exams, etc.) be announced, and be available
in writing, within the first two weeks of class, and that, (b) under normal circumstances,
graded feedback worth at least 15% of the final grade for Fall, Winter or Summer Term, and
30% for full year courses offered in the Fall/Winter Term be received by students in all
courses prior to the final withdrawal date from a course without receiving a grade (see the
policy for exceptions to this aspect of the policy http://www.yorku.ca/secretariat/legislation/senate/gradfeed.htm
Final course grades may be adjusted to conform to Program or Faculty grades distribution
profiles.
If Term Test will be held outside of regularly scheduled class time, include announcement of
day, date and time here (e.g., Saturday, October 28, 2006, 10 am to 11:30, room TBA).

"20 % Rule"
No examination or test worth more than 20% of the final grade will be given during the last two
weeks of classes in a term, with the exception of classes which regularly meet Friday
evenings or on the weekend (Saturday and/or Sunday at any time). (Approved by Senate,
November 28, 1996)