English 103 - Critical Thinking - Christine Iskander
| Course: | Critical Thinking |
|---|---|
| Professor: | Christine Iskander |
| Email: | christine.iskander@canyons.edu |
| Format: |
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| Course Length: | 5 week |
| Textbook Title: | Current Issues and Enduring Questions: A Guide to Critical Thinking and Argument, with Readings. By Sylvan Barnet, Hugo Bedau, and John O’Hare. 11 th Edition. ISBN-13: 978-1319035471 There will also be several OER sources that will be posted onto the Canvas Shell |
| Types of Assessments: | Essays… (65%) Essay 1 will be a 5-page essay worth 15% of your grade, and it will ask you to analyze the implicit and explicit claims of both a written and visual text to define and differentiate “happiness and pleasure” and the importance of this distinction in modern American society. Essay 2 will be a 5-page essay worth 20% of your grade, and it will ask you to examine the strengths and weaknesses of the arguments of Culter’s “Inner Contentment” and J. Cole’s “Love Yourz;” then using these two texts, you will argue how happiness is, and is not, obtained. Essay 3 will be an 8-10 page worth 30% of your grade, and it will be a research paper that ask you to explain what happiness is and how it ought to be obtained using examples from at least 3 of the texts that we have discussed plus an addition of 2 scholarly articles. These are formal academic papers and as such, they should follow the conventions of academic writing. All formal essays should adhere to MLA standards. Your papers should be printed in Times New Roman 12 pt. font, be double-spaced, and have 1-inch margins. Essays should have a proper heading, appropriate title, pagination and a works cited page. Any essay without a works cited will automatically be docks 10%. Please note that late essays will be accepted at a 5% docking for every missed day. All essays must be submitted through Canvas where turnitin.com is enabled. If your similarity score is above 15%, your essay may not be eligible for a grade. Essays that are not submitted via Canvas as not eligible for a grade. Annotated Bibliography… (10%) To help you with your research for essay 3, you are asked to write a 5-7 source annotated bibliography. For this assignment you will develop a thesis, and then you will need to find 5-7 sources to support and develop your argument. You will write 2 paragraphs per source analyzing, critiquing, and discussing the validity and efficacy of the claims made in the source, plus their relevance to your thesis. This assignment will be about 3-5 pages. (Due week 16) 3-5 Minute Presentation of Research… 5% You will need to do a 3-5-minute presentation of your research. For this presentation, please share your thesis, and what you have found in your research. You do not need to discuss all of your sources, simply what you would like to share. This presentation must contain some form of visual component (i.e. PPT, choreographed dance, song… whatever really). You will record it and upload it on to Canvas. (Due week 16). Quizzes… (4%) Throughout the semester we will have 4 quizzes. These quizzes will test your understanding of the material from your reading along with the material and procedures discussed in class. There will be no pop-quizzes, so please make note of when the quizzes will be administered because there will be no make-ups. If there is a documented emergency, please contact me, and we will TRY and figure out a solution, but none is guaranteed. Discussion and homework… (15%) Discussion posts and homework will be the way you engage with your classmates and me regarding the course readings and material. These assignments all build up to and connect with your essays. Each reading will have at least one set of discussion questions that you will either answer individually or in a discussion. You can access each assignment by clicking on the ASSIGNMENTS tab in the course navigation links or through the weeks’ MODULES. In order to get full credit for each discussion, you will need to post a thoughtful, well-written response to the questions and respond to your classmates’ answers. Some assignments will require only one peer response; others will require more. Please be sure to carefully read the individual assignment instructions. Each assignment will receive a credit/no credit grade based on accuracy and completion. All late assignments will earn an automatic partial or zero credit. Assignments will not be accepted after the close date of the module (Sundays after 11:59PM). Most discussion assignments will be worth 5-10 point where as non-interactive assignments will be 1-3. All assignments are created for your benefit and are meant to make the essay writing process go smoothly, so you should do your best to complete everything; however if life gets in the way, and you are faced with an either/or decision, do your best to complete the discussion assignments. |
Introduction
Hello! My name is Christine Iskander, and I will be your instructor for English 103 online— welcome! I’m looking forward to reading and thinking about your writing this semester! This
letter serves as our orientation since we are not formally meeting on campus. Below, I will give you a basic overview of the course and how it will function. Make sure to note the required text (which you should purchase immediately) and other various resources available to you to help you succeed in English 103.
The goal of this course is to help students become better writers, ones who show a diligence to detail, who demonstrate critical thinking and writers who review and revise their own work consistently. This English course, then, will expect much from the students who are enrolled in it. During this term you might find yourself feeling over-worked or perhaps even a bit “stressed.” Interestingly enough, however, these are positive signs, for they are strong indicators of seriousness and commitment, and you will need both of these virtues to be successful in this class and in college as a whole. Please be assured in that I am committed to everyone’s success. It is my job to help you if you’re struggling; this is why I am here.
This course and its reading materials assume a mature academic audience. Essays and fiction often have their fingers on the pulse of difficult issues and controversies, expect to have aspects of your belief system and values challenged. Respect for the instructor and peers in the heat of intellectual debate is expected at all times.
Course Description
This 100% online 103 course focuses on close textual analysis, argumentative/persuasive writing, and critical thinking skills. We will be analyzing issues affecting both American and global societies by reading essays and formulating critical responses. This course meets CSU/UC transfer requirements. A "C" or better in English 101 is a prerequisite. Class time will be used for learning new material; discussion, analysis, and evaluation of assigned readings; and for writing activities concerning various rhetorical concepts and strategies.
What to Expect in this Course
This course requires much self-discipline
Although I am providing you with instruction and feedback every week, you will shoulder much more responsibility for reading and completing assignments in a timely manner than a student in a normal class. One of the reasons we have multiple weekly due dates is so that you cannot fall too far behind, but you need to plan ahead and use your time wisely in this course. People who fall behind, even by one week, have a much higher withdrawal and failure rate than those who miss a similar amount of time in a face-to- face class. Thus, it is crucial that you stay current with weekly assignments. If you fall behind, contact me immediately. Again, this class requires a substantial time commitment. We will work at a reasonable pace and build toward our major papers, but I want to warn you now— this is a composition and critical thinking course—that means A LOT of reading and writing, every week.
This course requires self-reliance
I am happy to answer your questions, but before you send me a question, check that the answer is not already available to you either in the class notes/instructions, your textbook, or on the Canvas course site in the Ask Course Questions Here discussion board. Also, take advantage of the information and resources provided by the college: the COC Writing Center (TLC), the COC Distance Learning services, and the Canvas Resources services, all of which are linked above and on the course homepage. Part of being a professional college student is taking responsibility for your own learning and discovering how to find the resources needed to succeed. You have a lot of available support, but you must seek it.
This course requires much patience.
One thing you will have to be patient with is me. Your best chances for getting a quick response from me are during my availability hours listed in the syllabus. Generally, I will try to respond within 24 hours to emails sent Monday-Friday.
This course requires weekly computer and internet use
You should have regular and consistent access to a computer with word processing software, email, and a high-speed Internet connection. If you do not have this access at home (or if you have temporary technical difficulties at home – it happens to all of us!) you should identify an alternate location or multiple locations (a friend’s house or a coffee shop with wifi, for example) where you will have reliable computer and internet access.
Additional Textbook Information / Link to OER Textbook
Other Relevant Course Information
Additional Resources
Canvas
This course can be accessed on the first day of class via Canvas at https://coc.instructure.com. Log into Canvas using your CanyonsID single sign-on:
- CanyonsID Username is your COC student email address (Ex: username@my.canyons.edu)
- CanyonsID Password is your COC student email password
Please visit the Get to Know Your Online Classroom page for help logging into Canvas and for tips on using Canvas and Zoom. Canvas Chat Support is also available 24/7 for any Canvas related issues.
Online Education
Check out the Online Education website for more information on a variety of topics that can help you be a successful online student such as: exam proctoring, learning styles, computer skills, and tips for student success. If this is your first online course, feel free to take our online learning readiness assessment to assess your skills.
The Learning Center (TLC)
The TLC provides FREE online tutoring resources to COC students!
Academic Accomodation Center (AAC)
College of the Canyons AAC provides educational services and access for eligible students with documented disabilities who intend to pursue coursework at COC. A variety of programs and services are available which afford eligible students with disabilities the opportunity to participate fully in all aspects of the college programs and activities through appropriate and reasonable accommodations. For more information on their services visit the Academic Accomodation Center website.
Online Counseling
The Counseling Department offers appointments online. You can schedule an appointment by visiting the Online Counseling website. Counselors can help you map out a plan to reach your educational goals as well as advise you on course selection and registration.
Management of Stress and Mental Health
College of the Canyons cares about your emotional and physical health. Learn more about the broad range of confidential student services, including free counseling and mental health services available during this time by visiting the Student Health & Wellness Center website or by calling them at: 661-362-3259.
The National Suicide Lifeline number is 1-800-273- 8255 (TALK). Please call it if you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide or is in severe distress - it could save someone's life.
You can also use the Crisis Text Line: Just text "Courage" to 741741. It's free, available 24/7, and confidential.
Veterans Resource Center
The College of the Canyons Veterans Resource Center is a department within the Student Services Division at the college, created to help veterans and veteran dependents with applying to College of the Canyons, enrolling in classes, and requesting VA Education or Vocational Benefits. For more information please visit the Veterans Resource Center website, email veterans@canyons.edu or phone (661) 362-3469.
Last updated: 11/17/2020 Sub # Orig: 1978