AP/MODR1730 6.0 J: Reasoning About Social Issues
Offered by: MODR
Session
Fall 2020
Term
Y
Format
LECT
Instructor
Calendar Description / Prerequisite / Co-Requisite
This is a skills-based course focusing on critical thinking, research-based writing, and qualitative and quantitative analysis. The particular focus will be on different positions taken within the social sciences on issues such as abortion, euthanasia, pornography, immigration etc. Typical examples are to be analyzed. Course credit exclusions: AP/MODR 1760 6.00, AP/MODR 1770 6.00.
Course Start Up
Course Websites hosted on York's "eClass" are accessible to students during the first week of the term. It takes two business days from the time of your enrolment to access your course website. Course materials begin to be released on the course website during the first week. To log in to your eClass course visit the York U eClass Portal and login with your Student Passport York Account. If you are creating and participating in Zoom meetings you may also go directly to the York U Zoom Portal.
For further course Start Up details, review the Getting Started webpage.
For IT support, students may contact University Information Technology Client Services via askit@yorku.ca or (416) 736-5800. Please also visit Students Getting Started UIT or the Getting Help - UIT webpages.
Dr. Shyam Ranganathan
shyamr@yorku.ca
Virtual office hours: Details of virtual office hours for administrative purposes will be made available to students once they enrol and can access Moodle.
Times and locations: Please note that this is a course that depends on remote teaching and learning. There will be no in-person interactions or activities on campus. Synchronous meetings will be held Thursday @ 11:30-2:30 . The length of meetings will be shortened to accommodate the time spent by students viewing video lectures.
Expanded Course Description:
Reasoning About Social Issues is the version of Modes of Reseaning that touches upon work in the social sciences (at least two) and addresses social issues, sucha s euthanasia, abortion, or pornography. This is a skills-based course focusing on critical thinking, persuasive writing, and strategic argumentation. A topic that will unite our exploration of these various themes is meditation as a model for critical thinking, and also the topic of social scientific investigation.
Technical requirements for taking the course: The course will be run out of Moodle, the course delivery platform at York University. To use Moodle, you will need a functioning computer with an internet browser to access weekly assignments, to submit assignments and take tests. While you can use a smart device for tests, for composing and submitting assignments, an internet-connected computer with a keyboard is required. Students will also need a highspeed internet connection and working microphone to connect with the professor during office hours. Synchronous class meetings will be held during which students can participate in conversations with the course director and other students. Highspeed internet, a microphone and webcam are required to participate in these weekly meetings conducted via Zoom. Students concerned about privacy are welcome to use virtual backgrounds during Zoom calls.
Here are some useful links for student computing information, resources and help:
Zoom@YorkU User Reference Guide
Computing for Students Website
Student Guide to eLearning at York University
To determine Internet connection and speed, there are online tests, such as Speedtest, that can be run.]
Patañjali. Patañjali's Yoga Sūtra. Penguin 2008. (Available on Kindle)
Online Readings, linked via Moodle
Assignments in this course fall into three categories:
- Participation: 40% (weekly commentaries, quizzes, virtual attendance)
- Essay: 30% (Essay Outline Assignment worth 15% and completed essay worth 15%)
- Final Exam 30% (contains Study Note Assignment, 15% first half, 15% second half)
| Organization of the course
· This course runs on recorded video lectures that students can view at their own pace—however the course video lectures are tied to weekly participation assignments that have timed due dates—displayed on Moodle. So while students can choose when to view the recorded material, the weekly participation assignments are set and require that the corresponding lectures have been viewed and the corresponding reading has been done. These assignments may also be done in advance of the due date. The pass/fail participation assignments are set up to incentivise students to keep up with the reading and lesson schedule: credit is only given to those students who submit passing assignments on time. We will also have weekly, synchronous meetings during the time allotted in the course schedule, however at a reduced length (no more than 1 hour) to accommodate the time spent watching video lecture content. Students are encouraged to join these meetings to have their questions answered. Virtual office hours, and email, in contrast, are for administrative purposes only.
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Learn basic reasoning skills---informal and formal logic.
Understand the difference between reason and belief, between argument and pursuasion.
Think openly about projects of meditation and critical thinking.
Course policies
Details of the assignments are set out in course documents available on Moodle to registered students. Due dates and penalties (if any) for late assignments are to be found in these documents and Moodle. Grading criteria for written material can be found in the syllabus and on Moodle.
- 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
