Professor David Stamos

dstamos@yorku.ca

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.

Expanded Course Description:

This is a skills-based course which focuses on skills that are essential for most of your university courses (and consequently can be expected to raise your grades in those courses). Specifically this means: conceptual analysis, fallacy analysis, argument structure analysis, premise analysis, essay style.

Technical requirements for taking the course:

I don’t use Zoom. All you’ll need is a regular computer with which you can access Moodle and with which you can download my teaching videos. Interaction will be through Moodle Chat and email. I keep it all very simple.

Here are some useful links for student computing information, resources and help:
Student Guide to Moodle
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.]

As this is primarily a skills-based course, not primarily a knowledge-based course, much of our time is spent on applications and practice. This is why the participation grade, which is based on homework, is 20%.

1) S. Morris Engel (2000). With Good Reason. 6th edition. Bedford/St. Martin’s. ISBN 978-1457695957
https://store.macmillanlearning.com/ca/product/With-Good-Reason/p/0312157584?searchText=Engel
This source allows you to rent or purchase the book. The book is required for the second quarter of the course.

2) Chris MacDonald and Lewis Vaughn (2016). The Power of Critical Thinking. 4th Cdn. edition. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-901868-0. Do not use a different edition.
OR: Chopped ed. ISBN 978-0-19-901536-8
This chopped edition saves you money. It will be available in the bookstore as: York University Custom Edition: The Power of Critical Thinking. Chris MacDonald and Lewis Vaughn.
This book is required for the second half of the course. Make sure you buy the edition made for this course. Other editions will be not applicable.

Test                       15%

Assignments (3)    65%

Participation          20%

This course is partly asynchronous and partly synchronous.

It is asynchronous because the lecture videos and the homework videos are posted to Moodle typically the night before the official class time and you can watch them whenever you want. Also, homework is given a 24-hour window of submission and major assignments are also given a 24-hour window of submission (after which the latter are late).

It is synchronous because the Fallacy Test will be held online within the three-hour period scheduled for the class—Tuesdays 2:30–5:30—as well as the Moodle Chat sessions (which are optional).

The ability to apply to other courses what is learned/acquired in this course.

Course policies:

With regard to my videos, please note that 1) the recordings are to be used for educational purposes only and as a means for enhancing accessibility; 2) students do not have permission to duplicate, copy, and/or distribute the record-ings outside of the class (these acts can violate not only copyright laws but also FIPPA); and 3) all recordings will be are to be destroyed after the end of classes.

IMPORTANT COURSE INFORMATION

The Senate Committee on Curriculum & Academic Standards Web site provides an important read, the: STUDENT INFORMATION SHEET.

The Student Information Sheet includes:
• York’s Academic Honesty Policy and Procedures/Academic Integrity Website
• Access/Disability
• Ethics Review Process for Research Involving Human Participants
• Religious Observance Accommodation
• Student Conduct Standards

Additional information:
• 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)