PHI 1103 Section 002
Monday and Wednesday
Critical Thinking
Syllabus
Instructor: Jason Dane
Office Hours: Monday
and Wednesday
Office: FAO 216
Office phone: (813) 974-5915
Email: jdane@mail.usf.edu
Email is by far the best way to get in touch with me.
Course Objectives: The main focus of this course is to inform students about the use of arguments in both the academic and non academic settings. Further, at the conclusion of this course students should be able to identify both subtle and obvious arguments they may come across. Students will encounter oral and written arguments and improvement in both areas is expected by the completion of the course.
Attendance and Class participation: 10% of the midterm and 10% of the final will be attendance and class participation. In addition, attendance and class participation will be the determining factor (at the instructor’s discretion) in determining borderline grades.
Grading Policy: There will be three short (two to three page) papers each worth 15% of the final grade. The midterm will be worth 25% of the final grade. The final will be worth 30% of the final grade. The grading scale is as follows:
100-93 A
92-90 A-
89-87 B+
86-83 B
82-80 B-
79-77 C+
76-73 C
72-70 C-
69-67 D+
66-63 D
62-60 D-
59-0 F
Course Outline: (tentative)
8/23 Introduction
8/25 Chapter 1 in Reason and Argument
8/30 Chapter 1-2
9/1 Chapter 2
9/8 Chapter 3
9/13 Chapter 3 and beginning of Bowling for Columbine
9/15 Bowling for Columbine
9/20 Paper 1 due and discussion of Bowling for Columbine and Chapter 4
9/22 Chapter 4 and Chapter 5
9/27 Chapter 5 and Chapter 6
9/29 Chapter 6
10/4 Chapter 7
10/6 Chapter 8
10/11 Review for Midterm
10/13 Midterm exam
10/18 Chapter 9
10/20 Chapter 10
10/25 Chapter 10 (catch up from 9 and 10)
10/27 Fahrenheit 9/11
11/01 Paper 2 due discussion of Fahrenheit 9/11
11/03 Chapter 11
11/08 Animal Rights
11/10 Animal Rights
11/15 Death Penalty
11/17 Outfoxed
11/22 Death Penalty/ Civil disobedience
11/24 Civil disobedience
11/29 Catch up
12/1 Review
Note: This is all subject to change (including the date of the midterm).
Students do not have permission to sell tapes or notes of lectures.
Make up of missed work should be cleared with the instructor on a case by case basis. This does not mean that all students will automatically be granted permission to make up missed work. When in doubt contact the instructor as soon as possible. Students who anticipate being absent from class due to religious observance should inform the instructor in writing by the second class meeting (8/25). Cell phones should be turned off or set to vibrate before class begins. There will be a grade deduction for any student answering his or her cell phone in class. In extreme cases the student should leave the class before answering the cell phone. There will be a grade deduction for students showing up late to class.