AP/MODR1770 6.0 L: Techniques of Persuasion
Offered by: MODR
Session
Fall 2019
Term
Y
Format
LECT
Instructor
Calendar Description / Prerequisite / Co-Requisite
This is a skills-based course focusing on critical thinking, persuasive writing, and strategic argumentation. Examples are drawn from various forms of persuasion including advertising, propaganda and political argument. Course credit exclusions: AP/MODR 1730 6.00, AP/MODR 1760 6.00. Note: This is an approved LA&PS General Education course: Humanities OR Social Science.
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.
Dr. Oisin Deery
Office Location: S442 Ross
Phone Number: (416) 736-2100 Ext: #77593
Office Hours: TBA
This course helps students to learn how to reason well and think critically in a variety of domains.
All readings will be made available on the Moodle website for the course.
Fifteen in-class workshops (30%),
five in-class quizzes (10%),
five homework assignments (40%),
two exams (20%)
The course has four parts. First, students will learn what an argument is, how to identify arguments in texts, and how to evaluate arguments. Second, students will learn how to evaluate statistical claims in order not to be misled by such claims in the media and elsewhere. Third, students will examine the psychology of reasoning in order to see how a better understanding of human cognition can help them to become better critical thinkers. Fourth, students examine scientific method and learn how to assess news reports about scientific discoveries. Students will use the tools they acquire to analyze what is going on in the news and social media, e.g., Facebook and Twitter.
To distinguish good from bad reasoning and to think critically in a variety of domains.
- Academic Honesty
- Student Rights and Responsibilities
- Religious Observance
- Grading Scheme and Feedback
- 20% Rule
No examinations or tests collectively worth more than 20% of the final grade in a course will be given during the final 14 calendar days of classes in a term. The exceptions to the rule are classes which regularly meet Friday evenings or on Saturday and/or Sunday at any time, and courses offered in the compressed summer terms. - Academic Accommodation for Students with Disabilities
