Syllabus Fall 2012

1515 IDS 1013 Rhetoric and Critical Thinking
Fall 2012
Davis 205
MWF 1:25-2:25
Jennifer Long, Ph.D.
Office: Troutt 317
Phone: 574-1217
Email: jlong@usao.edu
Website: www.usao.edu/home/faculty/jennifer-long
Office Hours:
MWF 8:30-10:00; TTh 8:00-9:00 and 1:00-2:30; and by appointment and/or luck

Course Description

Rhetoric, according to the Oxford English Dictionary, is “the art of using language effectively so as to persuade or influence others, esp. the exploitation of figures of speech and other compositional techniques to this end; the study of principles and rules to be followed by a speaker or writer striving for eloquence, esp. as formulated by ancient Greek and Roman writers.”

This class will emphasize these ideas, but in the broader context of critical thinking. The goal of a liberal arts education is to give people the tools they need to be free citizens, and the most important tool is the ability to discern good thinking from bad—in others’ arguments as well as your own. The research, logic and organizational skills you learn here will also be vital to your success in other college courses, especially IDS courses.

Textbooks

Critical Thinking: A Student’s Introduction, 4th ed. Bassham, Irwin, Nardone, and Wallace, 2011

Oral Presentations in the Composition Course, a Brief Guide. Duncan and Friedrich

Class Policies

Attendance

Attendance is required, although no credit is given explicitly for attendance. The policy is simple: students who do not attend regularly will not be able to pass the course. No distinction is made between “excused” and “unexcused” absences; therefore you need not inform me of your absence, as you will have missed class regardless of the reason. All assignment will be explained thoroughly in class, and instructions will not be repeated outside of class.

Cell phones/Lap tops

Cell phones, laptops, and other beeping, chirping, singing, game-playing, text-messaging and noise-making electronic things must be turned OFF during class and kept out of sight. Because of the potential for distraction (for you and those sitting around you), laptops use is not allowed in class. (Exceptions can be made only in the case of a documented accommodation need. Please inform the instructors if this is the case).

We know you think that you can listen to lecture, check your Facebook, take notes, text your friends about where to meet for lunch, formulate intelligent questions, read your email, participate in class discussion, and listen to your iPod all at the same time, but you can't. Lots of good research tells us that multitasking detracts from the learning experience and can actually make you dumber (see, for example, "The Myth of Multi-Tasking" athttp://www.thenewatlantis.com/publications/the-myth-of-multitasking).

Be fully present in the classroom; treat class as a one hour refuge from all the other electronic demands in your life. You might find that all those pressing demands on your time—all those incoming texts, all the new Facebook statuses, all the waiting messages—really aren’t all that urgent. You might even find that the electronic silence gives you a calm space in which to really think and learn.

That said, if your cell phone or other beeping, chirping, singing, game-playing, text-messaging or noise-making electronic thing goes off in class, you will be asked to leave. If you're texting or emailing or checking your Facebook in class, you'll be asked to leave.

 Academic Dishonesty

Students are expected to maintain high standards of academic integrity. Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated in this or any other class on campus. Academic dishonesty includes but is not limited to plagiarism, fabrication, cheating, assisting another student in academic dishonesty, and forgery or alteration of documents (see pages 9-11 in the student handbook for definitions and descriptions of each of these).  All instances of dishonesty will be result in penalty without exception. Any student who engages in any form of academic dishonesty will be assigned a failing grade and reported to the Vice-President for Academic Affairs. We're really not kidding about this. Don't cheat. We mean it.

ADA Statement

According to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), each student with a disability is responsible for notifying the University of his/her disability and requesting accommodations. If you think you have a qualified disability and need classroom accommodations, contact the office of Student Services located on the third floor of the Student Center.  Please advise the professor of your disability as soon as possible, to ensure timely implementation of appropriate accommodations. Faculty have an obligation to respond when they receive official notice of a disability from Student Services but are under no obligation to provide retroactive accommodations.  To receive services, you must submit appropriate documentation and complete an intake process during which the existence of a qualified disability is verified and reasonable accommodations are identified.  Call 405-574-1278 for more information.

The Writing Center Nash Library, third floor)

Students are encouraged to make use of the Writing Center, which is a resource for all writers at USAO.  The Writing Center aims to create a friendly and welcoming environment in which students feel comfortable voicing their concerns about their writing.  Writing Center tutors are trained to assist students with a variety of writing issues, including:

· Understanding assignment instructions

· Thesis statements

· Paper organization

· Sentence structure (including run-on sentences and comma splices)

· English as a Second Language (ESL) writing

· MLA format (as well as APA, Chicago)

· ...and many others.

The Writing Center’s purpose is educational; it supports the academic mission of USAO.  The tutors are not proofreaders or editors.  They are trained peer tutors who are there to offer advice and feedback to writers who have particular concerns.  

Assignments and Grading

Students will demonstrate their understanding of the course material in three major ways: exams, a written analysis of a “great speech,” and a presentation of the analysis to the class.

Exams

Content from lecture and the textbook will be tested with two exams and a comprehensive final.  

Speech Analysis

Each student will choose a “great speech” and submit a written analysis corresponding to the topics discussed in class. See additional information about the assignment here.

Presentation

Each student will formally present their analysis to the class, informing us as to the content of the speech; a determination of the overall effectiveness of the speech with reasons; and a summation of the overall elements of critical thinking contained in the speech. Attendance at other’s presentations is required.

Grades

Final grades will be calculated as a percentage of the 1050 total possible points

Course grades will be assigned according to the following scale:

90-100%                                  A

80-89%                                    B

70-79%                                    C

60-69%                                    D

59% and below                      F

Tentative Class Schedule