1B Intro and Syllabus Professor Ramos Blog

1B Intro and Syllabus Intro to Course Intro to Course Welcome to English 102, Intermediate Composition and Critical Thinking. From the name, we can tell that this course focuses on two things. One, more advanced writing techniques, building on what you have learned in English 101. Two, Critical Thinking. This is just an introduction to Critical Thinking, since this is a lifelong pursuit. We split the course up into to Units, Critical Media Engagement and Critical Monster Theory. The first half of the course will be an introduction to critical thinking and practicing those concepts by applying them to media. The second half of the semester will be learning theory, Monster Theory, and using it to analyze and understand our culture. We will learn critical thinking, reading, and writing and then we will apply theory to the world around us. Writing Approach The way I like to approach the teaching of writing is through  Genre. You may know genres from music and movies. Just like those, there are many different writing genres that we can use. We will be focusing on four genres for this course. In the intro to critical thinking unit we will write: Proposal Rhetorical Analysis For the monster theory we will write: Evaluation of a monster Causal Analysis of a monster We will learn more about each genre as we are working on them. All four of these genres are research based argumentative papers. They each ask you to do specific work. You will be graded on how well you write the genre, and the five criteria we come up with together. Every essay will require the same two categories: Critical Thinking Clarity of Writing The third, fourth, and fifth categories for grading we will come up with together. Ice Breaker Quick Write What is critical thinking? Write for two minutes. Syllabus Any questions on the syllabus? Ice Breaker Name Major Interesting Fact Do you like to read or write? What is Critical Thinking? Quality of Thinking, Quality of Life 30 Days to Better Thinking and Better Living Through Critical Thinking Critical thinking, in a rich sense of the term, is self-guided disciplined thought that attempts to reason at the highest level of quality in a fairminded way. From our textbook. Critical comes from the Greek word  krinein, meaning â€Å"to separate, to choose†; above all, it implies  conscious  inquiry (4). Conscious also means to be awake or aware. This suggests that by examining our reasoning, we can understand the basis of our judgments and decisions – ultimately, so that we can make better ones. According to Google: Critical Thinking – the objective analysis and evaluation of an issue in order to form a judgment. Four Defining Traits of a Game Goal. The outcome that the players will work to achieve. It focuses attention and gives you a sense of purpose. Rules. Limitations on how to achieve the goal. It will unleash creativity and foster strategic thinking. Feedback System. Tells players how close they are to achieving their goal. Provides motivation to keep playing. Voluntary Participation. Requires that you knowingly accept the goal, rules, and the feedback. You have the freedom to enter and leave the game at will. With these four ideas in mind, how can we apply this to college? Ignorance According to our textbook, to think critically, you must question not only the beliefs and assumptions of others, but also one’s own beliefs and assumptions (5). â€Å"Most of us assume whatever we believe to be â€Å"right.† Though we were taught much of what we believe before we could critically analyze our beliefs, we nevertheless defend out beliefs as  the truth† (Elder and Paul). Vocabulary Ignorance  Ã¢â‚¬â€œÃ‚  lack of knowledge or information. Intellectual Arrogance  Ã¢â‚¬â€œ the tendency to confidently assert as true what you do not in fact know to be true. Intellectual Humility  Ã¢â‚¬â€œÃ‚  awareness of the extent of your ignorance. People with a high degree of intellectual humility understand that there is far more that they will  never  know that they will  ever  know (Elder and Paul). Acknowledge that you may be wrong, until you find sufficient evidence to prove your belief. Notice when you argue if you are justifying your beliefs. Do you have evidence? Question your beliefs, especially religious, cultural, or political. Research from multiple perspectives. Explore new beliefs.