Course Director:      Jai Chetram

Email:                         jaichetr@yorku.ca and jaichetram@rogers.com

Please note that this is fully online course. The entire course, including the submission of assignments, participation/discussion and test-taking, will take place on the Moodle website. The format is asynchronous, meaning, you can access the lectures and slides at your own time and pace within the weekly schedules, however,  I will have a few synchronous lectures through Zoom when it comes to tests, and assignment reviews. You will be notified in advance as to the time and dates of live interactive lectures.

Engel, S. Morris.  With Good Reason: An Introduction to Informal Fallacies.  Sixth Edition.  New York: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2000.

Fallacy test = 25%

Conceptual Analysis Assignment = 25%

Passage Analysis Test = 20%

Article Analysis Assignment = 20%

Homework/Presentation = 10%

The two tests will be written Online and Submitted to Turnitin.com.

Unlike Assignments, the test are Time Sensitive. For each test, you will be given 4 hours access on Moodle to complete and submit to Turnitin.com.

Weekly homework will be posted on Moodle. The homework is graded by virtue of completion and not correctness. The correct answers will be posted on Moodle. This is an excellent way to study for the Fallacy Test.

Module 1, Argumentation and Argumentation, Module 2, Conceptual Analysis and Module 3, Passage and Article Analysis.

• Reading Comprehension
• Active reading; deconstructing others’ ideas; reading between the lines
• Critical Thinking Skills
• Critically evaluating what we hear and read; rational decision –making; presenting strong arguments; being aware of cognitive and illegitimate biases (self-bias and others’ bias.)
• Awareness of Persuasion Techniques
• Recognizing manipulative persuasion; developing persuasive tactics, ethically.
• Personal Development discourse
• hone the disposition of a competent layperson (the ability to engage in civil discourse
• , even if one isn’t an “expert on the topic; clarity and confidence when presenting views.
• Writing Skills
• Improve general writing skills (grammar, writing style, thesis development, etc.); essay organization; writing persuasively; improving self-editing techniques.

(1) How to reason correctly by distinguishing valid and invalid arguments, (Deductive,) to distinguish strong and weak arguments, (Inductive.)

 (2) How to identify fallacies or errors in reasoning committed in everyday discourse.

(3) How to use concepts properly, to distinguish conceptual claims from empirical and normative claims. To separate empirical facts from conceptual meanings and analyzing conceptual questions.

(4) How to apply critical skills to passages and articles that committed errors in reasoning, vague and ambiguous expressions and to diagnose assumptions that underpins concepts and statements. These skills will be applied to passages/articles concerning issues in Social Science,

Humanities, Philosophy, Political Science and Religion.

• Academic Accommodation for Students with Disabilities
• Alternate Exam and Test Scheduling
• Grading Scheme and Feedback Policy

The Senate Grading Scheme and Feedback Policy stipulates that  (a) the grading scheme (i.e. kinds and weights of assignments, essays, exams, etc.) be announced, and be available in writing, within the first two weeks of class, and that, (b) under normal circumstances, graded feedback worth at least 15% of the final grade for Fall, Winter or Summer Term, and 30% for ‘full year’ courses offered in the Fall/Winter Term be received by students in all courses prior to the final withdrawal date from a course without receiving a grade (see the policy for exceptions to this aspect of the policy - http://www.yorku.ca/secretariat/legislation/senate/gradfeed.htm 

 “Final course grades may be adjusted to conform to Program or Faculty grades distribution profiles.”

If Term Test will be held outside of regularly scheduled class time, include announcement of day, date and time here (e.g., Saturday, October 28, 2006, 10 am to 11:30, room TBA). 

     "20 % Rule"

No examination or test worth more than 20% of the final grade will be given during the last two weeks of classes in a term, with the exception of classes which regularly meet Friday evenings or on the weekend (Saturday and/or Sunday at any time). (Approved by Senate, November 28, 1996)