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Syllabus
College of Humanities
HUM/111 Version 5
Critical and Creative Thinking
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Copyright © 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009 by University of
Phoenix. All rights reserved.
Course Description
This course focuses on developing the critical and
creative thinking skills necessary to analyze and solve problems, make
decisions, implement strategies, and formulate well-supported points of view on
key academic, social, and professional issues. The principles of creative
thinking are essential to critical thinking skills. Students will learn how to
evaluate their ideas and how to communicate their points of view persuasively.
Policies
Faculty and students/learners
will be held responsible for understanding and adhering to all policies
contained within the following two documents:
·
Instructor policies:
This document is posted in the Course
Materials forum.
University policies are subject
to change. Be sure to read the policies at the beginning of each class.
Policies may be slightly different depending on the modality in which you
attend class. If you have recently changed modalities, read the policies
governing your current class modality.
Course Materials
Ruggiero, V. R.
(2012). The art of thinking: A guide to
critical and creative thought (10th ed.). New York, NY: Longman.
Paul, R., & Elder, L. (2008). The thinker’s guide for conscientious citizens on how to detect media
bias & propaganda in national and world news. Dillon Beach, CA:
Foundation for Critical Thinking Press.
Paul, R., & Elder, L. (2008). The thinker’s guide to fallacies: The art of mental trickery and
manipulation. Dillon Beach, CA: Foundation for Critical Thinking Press.
All electronic materials are available on the
student website.
Week One: Developing and Establishing a Foundation
for Thinking
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Details
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Due
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Points
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Objectives
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1.1 Describe
critical thinking.
1.2 Identify
your state of development in critical thinking.
1.3 Identify
strategies to develop and improve your thinking.
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Course Preparation
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Read
the course description and objectives.
Read
the instructor’s biography and post your own.
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Reading
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Read
Ch. 1 of The Art of Thinking.
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Reading
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Read
this week’s Electronic Reserve Readings.
·
“Are you a critical thinker?”
·
“Critical Thinking: A Stage Theory of Critical
Thinking”
·
”Critical Thinking: Nine Strategies for
Everyday Life, Part I”
·
“Critical Thinking: Nine Strategies for
Everyday Life, Part II”
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Participation
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Participate
in class discussion.
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15
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Discussion Questions
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Respond
to weekly discussion questions.
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15
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Nongraded Activities and Preparation
Warm-Up
Exercises
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Review
the Warm-Up Exercises at the end of Ch. 1 of The Art of Thinking.(pg. 18)
Choose one
Warm-Up Exercise from the chapter.
Write a
150- to 200-word response to the Warm-Up Exercise.
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Nongraded Activities and Preparation
Applications
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Complete
Application 1.3 at the end of Ch. 1 of The
Art of Thinking. (pg. 20) b
Write a
150- to 200-word response to the Application.
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Nongraded Activities and Preparation
Issues for
Extended Analysis
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Complete the
Issue for Extended Analysis at the end of Ch. 1 of The Art of Thinking. (pg.
21)
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Individual
What Kind of
Thinker Are You?
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Resource: Week
One Electronic Reserve Readings
Review the
following articles by Linda Elder and Richard Paul:
·
“Critical Thinking: A Stage Theory of Critical
Thinking”
·
”Critical Thinking: Nine Strategies for
Everyday Life, Part I”
·
“Critical Thinking: Nine Strategies for
Everyday Life, Part II”
According to Elder and Paul, people progress
through six stages during their development as critical thinkers. It takes
commitment and self-analysis to develop into a master thinker.
Part A:
Complete
Appendix A: Stages of Critical Thinking located on the student website. b
Part B:
Complete
Appendix B: Strategies to Develop Critical Thinking located on the student
website. b
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60
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Week Two: The
Perception Process and Evaluating Thinking
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Details
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Due
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Points
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Objectives
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2.1 Identify
perceptual blocks that hinder thinking.
2.2 Compare
methods for overcoming perceptual blocks that hinder thinking.
2.3 Explain
how thought processes are changed or manipulated by perception.
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Reading
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Read
Ch. 3 of The Art of Thinking.
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Participation
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Participate
in class discussion.
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15
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Discussion Questions
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Respond to weekly
discussion questions.
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15
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Nongraded Activities and Preparation
Warm-Up
Exercises
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Review
the Warm-Up Exercises at the end of Ch. 3 of The Art of Thinking. (pg 62) Choose
one Warm-Up Exercise from the chapter.
Write a
150- to 200-word response to the Warm-Up Exercise.
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Nongraded Activities and Preparation
Issues for
Extended Analysis
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Complete the
Issue for Extended Analysis at the end of Ch. 3 of The Art of Thinking. (pg
64)
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Nongraded Activities and Preparation
Means of
Persuasion
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Read the
“Habits That Hinder Thinking” section in Ch. 3 of The Art of Thinking.
Use
your favorite Internet search engine to find videos of commercials for luxury
cars.
Watch,
read, and listen to the information presented in the commercials.
Consider
how these commercials target habits that hinder thinking as a means of
persuasion.
Consider
how these commercials utilize the habits that hinder thinking as means of
persuasion.
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Individual
To Drill or Not
to Drill?
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Many people are debating how to best meet energy
needs in the United States. Some argue that the country must decrease its
dependence on oil and invest in alternative sources of energy, such as wind
and solar power. Others argue that changing to new power sources is
unnecessary and expensive. They state that the United States should search
for oil in Alaska, the Gulf Coast, and other currently unexplored areas
within the country.
Write an
approximately 350-word essay in which you do the following:
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State your position on the issue.
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Explain the perceptual blocks and habits that
hinder your thinking when looking at the opposing view and defending your own
view.
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Describe what you can do to overcome those
perceptual blocks and habits that are hindering your thinking and explain how
your thought processes can be manipulated by perception.
Use the
University Library to find two credible sources that support your position on
the energy debate.
Format
your essay consistent with Associate Level Writing Style Handbook guidelines.
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60
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Week Three:
Critical Reading, Listening, and Viewing
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Details
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Due
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Points
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Objectives
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3.1 Clarify
the importance of making distinctions in critical evaluation.
3.2 Compare
strategies for critical reading, listening, and viewing.
3.3 Use
techniques to detect bias and propaganda.
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Reading
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Read
Ch. 4 of The Art of Thinking.
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Reading
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Read The Thinker’s Guide for Conscientious
Citizens on How to Detect
Media Bias & Propaganda In National and World News located on the
student website.
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Reading
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Read
this week’s Electronic Reserve Readings.
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The Thinkers Guide for Conscientious Citizens
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Participation
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Participate
in class discussion.
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15
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Discussion Questions
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Respond
to weekly discussion questions.
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15
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Nongraded Activities and Preparation
Women in
Afghanistan Turn to Self-Immolation Over Abuse
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Watch
the “Women in Afghanistan Turn to Self-Immolation Over Abuse” video in this
week’s Electronic Reserve Readings.
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Nongraded Activities and Preparation
Warm-Up
Exercises
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Review
the Warm-Up Exercises at the end of Ch. 4 of The Art of Thinking.
Choose one
Warm-Up Exercise from the chapter.
Write a
150- to 200-word response to the Warm-Up Exercise.
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Nongraded Activities and Preparation
Applications
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Complete
Application 4.3 at the end of Ch. 4 of The
Art of Thinking.
Write a
150- to 200-word response to the Application.
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Nongraded Activities and Preparation
Issues for
Extended Analysis
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Complete the
Issue for Extended Analysis at the end of Ch. 4 of The Art of Thinking.
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Individual
Toolwire®
Learnscape: Assessing the Validity of Varying Points of View
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Access
the Toolwire® Learnscape: Assessing the Validity of Varying Points
of View located on the student website.
Complete
the Learnscape Activities.
Complete
the Toolwire® Learnscape Assessment Part A and Part B.
Save
your assessments as a Microsoft® Word document.
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80
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Individual
Detecting Media
Bias
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Use your
favorite Internet search engine to find a recent headline news story in one
of the following areas: local or national politics, economics, or business
news.
Write a
350- to 700-word paper clarifying the importance of making critical
evaluations of news stories. Use the following questions to help develop your
paper:
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Was the reporting of the news story clear and
accurate, with sufficient depth and breadth?
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Were some facts reported while others were
ignored?
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Did the story consider alternative
perspectives and worldviews?
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Were there any questionable assumptions
implicit in the story?
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Were any implications ignored while others
were emphasized?
·
Why is it important to make distinctions when
undertaking a critical evaluation?
Format
your paper consistent with Associate Level Writing Style Handbook guidelines.
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50
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Week Four:
Creative Thinking
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Details
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Due
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Points
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Objectives
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4.1 Evaluate
strategies to promote creative thinking and curiosity.
4.2 Explain
key methods for producing ideas.
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Reading
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Read
Ch. 5 of The Art of Thinking.
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Reading
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Read
Ch. 9 of The Art of Thinking.
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Reading
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Read
this week’s Electronic Reserve Readings.
·
Creative Reading: The Antidote to Readicide
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Critical Thinking: The Nature of Critical & Creative
Thought (Part 1)
·
Critical Thinking: The Nature of Critical & Creative
Thought (Part 2)
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How to Build a Curious Child
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Participation
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Participate
in class discussion.
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15
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Discussion Questions
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Respond
to weekly discussion questions.
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15
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Nongraded Activities and Preparation
Warm-Up
Exercises
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Review
the Warm-Up Exercises at the end of Ch. 5 & 9 of The Art of Thinking.
Choose one
Warm-Up Exercise from each chapter.
Chapter
5
Chapter
9
Write a
150- to 200-word response to the Warm-Up Exercises you chose.
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Nongraded Activities and Preparation
Applications
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Complete
the following Applications at the end of Ch. 5 & 9 of The Art of Thinking:
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Ch. 5 – Application 5.4
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Ch. 9 – Application 9.3
Write a
150- to 200-word response to the Applications.
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Nongraded Activities and Preparation
Issues for
Extended Analysis
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Complete the
Issue for Extended Analysis at the end of Ch. 5 & 9 of The Art of Thinking.
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Individual
Creative
Thinking
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Resources: Ch.
5 & 9 of The Art of Thinking
and the Detecting Media Bias assignment from Week Three
Suppose
you are a newspaper columnist who will address, in the next editorial blog of
your newspaper’s website, the same topic from the article in the Detecting
Media Bias assignment.
Write a
150- to 200-word answer to each of the following questions:
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How might you use the strategies for applying creativity
to problems and issues in addressing this topic?
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How might you use the strategies for promoting
curiosity in addressing this topic? Why do you think these strategies might
be effective?
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How might you use the various methods for
producing ideas to eliminate the bias from the original article and still
present a factual and persuasive case?
Format
your responses consistent with Associate Level Writing Style Handbook guidelines.
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60
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Week Five:
Problem Identification
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Details
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Due
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Points
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Objectives
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5.1 Distinguish
problems from issues.
5.2 Describe
how to express problems and issues.
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Reading
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Read
Ch. 7 of The Art of Thinking.
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Reading
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Read
Ch. 8 of The Art of Thinking.
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Participation
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Participate
in class discussion.
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15
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Discussion Questions
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Respond
to weekly discussion questions.
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15
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Nongraded Activities and Preparation
Reflections
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Watch and reflect on the following videos in the Toolwire®
Learnscape: Examining Different Arguments Related to the Choice of a Career
located on the student website:
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Stay Up and Study
·
Party All Night
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Nongraded Activities and Preparation
Warm-Up
Exercises
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Review
the Warm-Up Exercises at the end of Ch. 7 & 8 of The Art of Thinking.
Choose one
Warm-Up Exercise from each chapter.
Write a
150- to 200-word response to the Warm-Up Exercises you chose.
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Nongraded Activities and Preparation
Applications
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Complete
the following Applications at the end of Ch. 7 & 8 of The Art of Thinking:
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Ch. 7 – Application 7.3
·
Ch. 8 – Application 8.9
Write a
150- to 200-word response to the Applications.
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Nongraded Activities and Preparation
Issues for
Extended Analysis
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Complete the
Issue for Extended Analysis at the end of Ch. 7 & 8 of The Art of Thinking.
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Individual
Issues and
Problems
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Toolwire®
Learnscape
Access
the Toolwire® Learnscape: Discerning the Difference Between Issues
and Problems located on the student website.
Complete
the Learnscape Activities.
Complete
the Toolwire® Learnscape Assessment Part A and Part B.
Save
your assessments as a Microsoft® Word document.
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80
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Week Six:
Problem-Solving Processes
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Details
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Due
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Points
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Objectives
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6.1 Identify
sources of information when investigating a problem or issue.
6.2 Compare
the steps in refining solutions to a problem and resolutions of issues.
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Reading
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Read
Ch. 11 of The Art of Thinking.
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Reading
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Read
Ch. 13 of The Art of Thinking.
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Participation
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Participate
in class discussion.
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15
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Discussion Questions
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Respond
to weekly discussion questions.
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15
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Nongraded Activities and Preparation
Reflections
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Watch and reflect on the following videos in the Toolwire® Learnscape:
Examining Different Arguments Related to the Choice of a Career located on
the student website:
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One Hit
·
They Said They Lied
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Nongraded Activities and Preparation
Warm-Up
Exercises
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Review
the Warm-Up Exercises at the end of Ch. 11 & 13 of The Art of Thinking.
Choose one
Warm-Up Exercise from each chapter.
Write a
150- to 200-word response to the Warm-Up Exercises you chose.
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Nongraded Activities and Preparation
Applications
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Complete
the following Applications at the end of Ch. 11 & 13 of The Art of Thinking.
·
Ch. 11 – Application 11.4
·
Ch. 13 – Application 13.6
Write a
150- to 200-word response to the Applications.
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Nongraded Activities and Preparation
Issues for
Extended Analysis
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Complete the
Issue for Extended Analysis at the end of Ch. 11 & 13 of The Art of Thinking.
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Individual
Problem
or Issue Investigation and Solution
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Toolwire®
Learnscape
Access
the Toolwire® Learnscape: Investigating a Problem and Refining a
Solution located on the student website.
Complete
the Learnscape Activities.
Complete
the Toolwire® Learnscape Assessment Part A and Part B.
Save
your assessments as a Microsoft® Word document.
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80
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Week Seven:
The Role of Questioning and Criticism
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Details
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Due
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Points
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Objectives
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7.1 Explain
types of questions that lead to critical thinking.
7.2 Apply
strategies to foster criticism in problem solving.
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Reading
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Read
Ch. 10 of The Art of Thinking.
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Reading
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Read
this week’s Electronic Reserve Readings.
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Participation
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Participate
in class discussion.
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15
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Discussion Questions
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Respond
to weekly discussion questions.
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15
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Nongraded Activities and Preparation
Warm-Up
Exercises
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Review
the Warm-Up Exercises at the end of Ch. 10 of The Art of Thinking.
Choose one
Warm-Up Exercise from the chapter.
Write a
150- to 200-word response to the Warm-Up Exercise.
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Nongraded Activities and Preparation
Applications
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Complete
Application 10.3 at the end of Ch. 10 of The
Art of Thinking.
Write a
150- to 200-word response to the Application.
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Nongraded Activities and Preparation
Issues for
Extended Analysis
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Complete the
Issue for Extended Analysis at the end of Ch. 10 of The Art of Thinking.
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Individual
Together We
Stand Letter Outline
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Resource:
Ch. 10 of The Art of Thinking
Complete
Appendix C: Together We Stand Letter Outline located on the student website.
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60
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Week Eight:
Argument Analysis and Evaluation
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Details
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Due
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Points
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Objectives
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8.1 Explain
how assumptions interfere with critical thinking.
8.2 Identify
errors in reasoning.
8.3 Summarize
the steps to evaluate arguments.
8.4 Identify
fallacies used in written, oral, and visual arguments.
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Reading
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Read
Ch. 12 of The Art of Thinking.
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Reading
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Read The Thinker’s Guide to Fallacies: The Art of Mental Trickery and
Manipulation located on the student website.
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Reading
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Read
this week’s Electronic Reserve Readings.
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Participation
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Participate
in class discussion.
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15
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Discussion Questions
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Respond
to weekly discussion questions.
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15
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Nongraded Activities and Preparation
President
Kennedy’s Inaugural Address
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Watch the
“John F. Kennedy's Inaugural Address” video in this week’s Electronic Reserve
Readings.
Read “John
F. Kennedy ‘A New Generation of
Americans’” in this week’s Electronic Reserve Readings.
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Nongraded Activities and Preparation
Warm-Up
Exercises
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Review
the Warm-Up Exercises at the end of Ch. 12 of The Art of Thinking.
Choose one
Warm-Up Exercise from the chapter.
Write a
150- to 200-word response to the Warm-Up Exercise.
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Nongraded Activities and Preparation
Applications
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Complete
Application 12.1 at the end of Ch. 12 of The
Art of Thinking.
Write a
150- to 200-word response to the Application.
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Nongraded Activities and Preparation
Issues for
Extended Analysis
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Complete the
Issue for Extended Analysis at the end of Ch. 12 of The Art of Thinking.
Complete
Appendix D: Assumptions and Fallacies located on the student website.
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Individual
Examining
Different Arguments Related to the Choice of a Career
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Toolwire®
Learnscape
Access
the Toolwire® Learnscape: Examining Different Arguments Related to
the Choice of a Career located on the student website.
Complete
the Learnscape activities.
Complete
the Toolwire® Learnscape Assessment Part A and Part B.
Save
your assessments as a Microsoft® Word document.
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80
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Week Nine: Communicating
Your Ideas
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Details
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Due
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Points
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Objectives
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9.1 Explain
techniques to present ideas and persuade others effectively.
9.2 Recognize
approaches to achieve effective writing and speaking.
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Reading
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Read
Ch. 14 of The Art of Thinking.
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Reading
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Read
this week’s Electronic Reserve Readings.
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Participation
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Participate
in class discussion.
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15
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Discussion Questions
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Respond
to weekly discussion questions.
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15
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Nongraded Activities and Preparation
“I Have a Dream”
Speech
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Watch the
“Martin Luther King, Jr. Proclaims ‘I Have a Dream’” video in this week’s
Electronic Reserve Readings.
Read “I
Have a Dream Speech” in this week’s Electronic Reserve Readings.
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Nongraded Activities and Preparation
Warm-Up
Exercises
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Review
the Warm-Up Exercises at the end of Ch. 14 of The Art of Thinking.
Choose one
Warm-Up Exercise from the chapter.
Write a
150- to 200-word response to the Warm-Up Exercise.
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Nongraded Activities and Preparation
Applications
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Complete
Application 14.3 at the end of Ch. 14 of The
Art of Thinking.
Write a
150- to 200-word response to the Application.
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Nongraded Activities and Preparation
Issues for
Extended Analysis
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Complete the
Issue for Extended Analysis at the end of Ch. 14 of The Art of Thinking.
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Individual
Personal
Reflection Paper
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Resource:
What Kind of Thinker Are You? assignment from Week One
Review
your week one assignment and reflect on what you learned about critical
thinking during the course.
Write a
350- to 700-word paper in which you reflect on the following questions:
·
What is critical thinking?
·
What are the three most significant things
that you learned about critical thinking during this class?
·
How has your critical thinking changed since
starting this course?
·
Reevaluate your stage of development in
critical thinking and why you placed yourself in that stage. If your rating
has changed since Week One, explain why you think this change occurred.
·
How do you plan to move yourself from your
current stage of development in critical thinking to the stage of master
thinker?
Format
your paper consistent with Associate Level Writing Style Handbook guidelines.
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60
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Individual
Persuading Your Audience
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Suppose
you are a newspaper columnist asked to address the issue of global warming
and energy in the next editorial blog of your newspaper’s website.
Create
a 6- to 8-slide Microsoft® PowerPoint® presentation
that includes the following:
·
Which techniques should you use to present
your ideas and to persuade your audience effectively?
·
Which approaches should you use to communicate
your ideas effectively?
Cite
and reference any sourced material consistent with Associate Level Writing
Style Handbook guidelines.
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60
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