AP/MODR1770 6.0 I: Techniques of Persuasion
Offered by: MODR
Session
Fall 2023
Term
Y
Format
ONLN (Fully Online)
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 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.
nstructor: Dr. Bradley Richards
Email: bradrich@yorku.ca
I am happy to answer emails on procedural issues addressed neither in class, nor by the syllabus. I may not reply to an email if the answer is on the syllabus; I may post an announcement instead of replying directly to an email if the answer would be helpful to others.
More substantial issues concerning course content should be addressed in class or office hours. There is
no guarantee of email response on weekends or holidays. Please include course and section number in the subject line of all email correspondence, also include your full name and student number in the body of the email. This information is necessary so that I can reply and address your concern. If
this information is omitted I may not reply . When all the above conditions are met, I will usually reply within 24 hours on weekdays).
Office hours: Thursday 10:30-11:30 or by appointment, online.
Technical Requirements
- Eclass will be used to deliver most course content.
● Students are required to submit assignments through eClass
● Assignments may be evaluated by Turnitin
● Zoom may also be used to deliver some content
● Students will need a computer or smart device to access the course materials
9780190190163860 (softcover) | The Power of Critical Thinking (6th Canadian Edition) |
Chris MacDonald and Lewis Vaughn | |
9780190190163884 | EPUB |
NOTE: You must use the 6th Canadain edition (6Ce) |
Other readings will be available through links or articles provided online. See List of Supplemental Materials on the course website.
Critical Argument Evaluation 1 | October 6th | 5% |
Mid-term test (online) | November 3rd | 20% |
Weekly Discussion Board (best 6/10) | ||
Weekly Review Quizzes (best 6/10) | Weekly on Wednesday | 5% |
Critical Argument Evaluation 2 | November 17 | 20% |
Final Exam | tbd | 40% |
Course Delivery is Online with Pre-Recorded Lectures
- My office hours will be Thursday 10:30-11:30 or by appointment, online.
2. There will be no formal lecture. (only recorded lecture material posted to eClass)
3. The nature of the posted materials (video, or slides, or both, may vary from week to
week).
4. Quizzes and discussion boards will become available weekly.
- Most readings are in the textbook. Additional readings and resources will be posted to
eClass.
Completing the work for this course will:
•Teach you the connection between good arguments, effective research, and compelling writing
- Teach you the importance of critical thinking for living well and being a good person
- Improve your ability to read difficult texts with comprehension.
- Improve your ability to analyze and evaluate arguments.
•Improve your ability to communicate complicated ideas in concise prose.
Course Policies
RECORDINGS POLICY
Lecture recordings are to be used for educational purposes only and as a means for enhancing accessibility. Students do not have permission to duplicate, copy and/or distribute the recordings outside of the class (these acts can violate not only copyright
laws but also FIPPA).
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
All forms of academic dishonesty, including plagiarism and cheating, will be taken extremely seriously. Potential penalties include, but are not limited to, failure of the assignment and/or failure of the course. In addition, students who plagiarize or cheat on any assignments forfeit their privilege to drop their lowest grades. Students are expected to be familiar with York’s policy regarding academic integrity: http://www.yorku.ca/secretariat/policies/. All students are expected to complete the Honour Code Pledge on eClass.
TECHNICAL Resources
· Student Guide to eClass
- Zoom@YorkU Best Practices
- 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
Bradley Richards - Modes of Reasoning - MODR 1770
Additional RESOURCES
York has a variety of resources to help students succeed. Here are some of them.
- Mental Health
- Writing Centre
- Academic Advising
- Learning Commons
- Peer Mentorship
Accessibility
This course employs universal design learning. My goal is to see every student succeed. No one should do poorly on an assignment because of time constraints. Accordingly, I have adjusted everyone’s time allotments so that you have a 3X modifier (3 times the required amount of time to complete an assignment). If anyone has an official accommodation greater than 3x, please let me know. Likewise, please let me know if you require accommodations of other kinds.
ACCOMMODATIONS
We are committed to fairly accommodating students with disabilities. Please contact us as
soon as possible with the relevant documentation from Student Accessibility Services.
Late Assignments
- No late quizzes will be accepted and no extensions granted. However, you are
permitted to miss 4/10 (you must complete 6). Aim to complete all 10 quizzes and your
lowest grades will be dropped.
- No late discussion board entries will be accepted and no extensions granted. However,
you are permitted to miss 4/10 (you must complete 6). Aim to complete all 10 discussion board entries and your lowest grades will be dropped.
- Late critical argument evaluations will be accepted for two weeks without penalty (extensions must be requested). Again, this is enough time for everyone. After this period there are no extension and no late assignments will be accepted
- 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