2019su-apmodr1760a-06

AP/MODR1760 6.0 A: Reasoning About Morality and Values

Offered by: MODR


 Session

Summer 2019

 Term

SU

Format

ONLN (Fully Online)

Instructor

Calendar Description / Prerequisite / Co-Requisite

This is a skills-based course focusing on critical thinking, critical writing, and logical and linguistic analysis. The course uses examples drawn from areas in the humanities where value judgements are made. Different sections will stress different topics in ethics, aesthetics, religion or law. Course credit exclusions: AP/MODR 1730 6.00, AP/MODR 1770 6.00.

Course Website

Many courses utilize Moodle, York University's course website system. If your course is using Moodle, refer to the image below to access it.


    Getting Started with your Fully Online Course

Students enrolled in this course are required to review the Next Steps website.

The Next Steps website explains how to start your fully online (ONLN) & blended (BLEN) course(s) with start up information including computing requirements, course website access instructions and links to course outlines & course websites. Students are also encouraged to review the Student Guide to eLearning at York University.

Moodle course website access starts within the first week of the term. For late enrollees it takes two business days from the time of your enrolment to access the Moodle websites once the semester has started. Course materials begin to be released on the course website during the first week of the semester. Get familiar with Moodle by reviewing the Moodle Student Resources Page.

For enrolment matters and academic related questions, please contact the affiliated LA&PS School/Department. For eLearning support please contact eLearning Services, LA&PS.

Moodle and computing support can be directed to askit@yorku.ca or visit the Student Computing website

    Additional Course Instructor/Contact Details

Cael Cohen, PhD

Office hours: Monday & Wednesday, 11:30 am – 12:30 pm

Room 447, South Ross Building

Email: cmcohen@yorku.ca

    Expanded Course Description

This skills-based course that teaches students how to read, write and think critically through: (1) a collection of critical skills, practices, techniques, attitudes and principles that can be used every day to systematically evaluate your own and others’ reasoning about morality and values; (2) an approach to ethical disagreements and controversial moral issues using rational standards and mindfulness awareness; (3) critical assessment and formulation of ethical beliefs, arguments, and concepts based on relevant, acceptable and sufficient grounds, rather than passive acceptance.

    Required Course Text / Readings
Required Course Text / Readings:

 

Required reading for this course includes the one book listed below and several supplementary readings posted to the Moodle course site. This course book is available for purchase from the York University Bookstore. Every week, students should check the weekly lecture schedule for the required readings. (See pages 5 – 19 of this course outline.)

 

  • Critical Thinking: Argument and Argumentation. 2014. 2nd Edition. Authors: Jean Saindon and Peter John Krek. ISBN: 978-0-17-666100-7. Publisher: Nelson Education.

 

    Weighting of Course
Graded Assessment:

·         Take-Home Mid-Term Exam 30%.

·         Passage Analysis Assignment with Essay 35%.

·         Homework in Modules 1 and 3, as follows: 10% in Module 1; 10% in Module 3; for a total of 20%.

·         Participation 15%. Consists of weekly Lecture Participation Assignments (LPAs).

 

Take-Home Mid-Term Exam—30%: Exam questions available on Thursday, June 20, 9:00 am, Session 14. Exams answers due before Monday, June 24, 9:00 am, Session 15.

Do NOT have to show in person to write this exam. Download exam questions from the course site and upload answers to submission link. Practice exams and grading criteria will be provided. Must be students’ own original, independent work. Collaboration is not permitted. Turnitin.com, a commercial, Internet-based plagiarism detection service, will be used from within the Moodle site.

 

Passage Analysis Assignment with Essay—35%: Due Monday, July 29, 9:00 am, Session 24.

Select a passage from a set of provided passages. Analyze the passage following the techniques and steps taught in class. Includes 1000-1250 word written essay. Must follow the techniques, skills and model taught in lectures. Grading criteria provided. Must be students’ own original, independent work. Collaboration is not permitted. To be submitted to Moodle course site. Turnitin.com, a commercial, Internet-based plagiarism detection service, will be used from within the Moodle site.

 

Homework—20%. All homework will be submitted online to the Moodle course site. Homework assigned in a Monday session will be due before the following Thursday session, 9:00 am. Homework assigned in a Thursday session will be due before the following Monday, 9:00 am.

 

Module 1 = 10%:

Seven homework assignments. Amount of marks of each homework assignment in Module 1 varies. Marks earned will be divided by the total number of possible marks for homework in Module 1 and converted into a homework mark out of 10%.

 

Module 3 = 10%:

Three homework assignments. Amount of marks of each homework assignment in Module 3 varies. Marks earned will be divided by the total number of possible marks for homework in Module 3 and converted into a homework mark out of 10%.

Late homework will NOT be accepted under ANY circumstances, including late enrollment and illness. Homework must be students’ own original, independent work. Collaboration is not permitted, unless specified by the course instructor.

 

Participation—15%

 

Lecture Participation Assignments (LPAs) are assigned almost every  lecture and are to be submitted to Moodle course site. Lecture Participation Assignments will NOT be accepted late and cannot be made up, under any circumstances, including late enrollment or illness.

    Organization of the Course
Special Features:

 

  • This course is an ONLINE course. Weekly lecture recordings and coaching videos will be posted to the Moodle course site. Lecture viewing is a mandatory requirement for this course. All course work will be submitted online to the Moodle course site, including the mid-term exam, which be submitted online.
  • This course is skills-based, consequently, this course requires: (1) completion of homework to learn and practice the skills; (2) and completion of Lecture Participation Assignments (LPAs) to learn and practice the skills.
  • All homework, LPAs and assignments will be submitted electronically on Moodle for grading.
  • This is a condensed, accelerated, version of MODR1760. There are 6 hours of lecture per week. On Mondays, 9:00 am, and Thursdays, 9:00 am, lecture material will be posted to Moodle. Work assigned in the Monday session is due on Thursday, 9:00 am. Work assigned in the Thursday session is due on the following Monday, 9:00 am. You do NEED to keep up. Here’s why: this is a practical course. To become strong at any skill, practice is needed. Accordingly, there is an emphasis on continuous engagement in the course. If you anticipate missing classes or not viewing the lecture recordings due to conflicts with work, your other classes, or personal commitments, you are strongly urged to rethink whether you should enroll in this online section of MODR1760. This course requires: (1) completion of homework to learn and practice the skills; (2) and completion of Lecture Participation Assignments (LPAs) to learn and practice the skills.
  • Participation marks require that you view lecture recordings consistently to be able to successfully complete assignments. You cannot pass this course without viewing lecture recordings and doing the readings. You can review the Session Lecture Schedule below to see when participation work and other assignments are scheduled.
  • General Education course.
  • There are course credit exclusions on MODR1730, 1760, and 1770 as a set.  Students cannot take two Modes of Reasoning courses for credit.
  • Turnitin.com, a commercial, Internet-based plagiarism detection service, will be used from within the Moodle site.

 

    Relevant Links / Resources