2019y-apmodr1770l-06

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.


    Additional Course Instructor/Contact Details

Dr. Oisin Deery

deery@yorku.ca

Office Location: S442 Ross

Phone Number: (416) 736-2100 Ext: #77593

Office Hours:  TBA

    Expanded Course Description

This course helps students to learn how to reason well and think critically in a variety of domains.

    Required Course Text / Readings

All readings will be made available on the Moodle website for the course.

    Weighting of Course

Fifteen in-class workshops (30%),
five in-class quizzes (10%),
five homework assignments (40%),
two exams (20%)

    Organization of the Course

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.

    Course Learning Objectives

To distinguish good from bad reasoning and to think critically in a variety of domains.

    Relevant Links / Resources