AP/MODR1770 6.0 J: Techniques of Persuasion
Offered by: MODR
Session
Fall 2023
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 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 UIT Student Services or the Getting Help - UIT webpages.
Course Instructor Contact: holtved@yorku.ca
This course is an introduction to critical thinking whose objective is to give students the skills needed to analyze arguments in a critical and systematic fashion. The theory underlying these skills will be put into practice through group work done in class, where you will be assigned a variety of exercises that will allow you to develop and apply the techniques you've been taught until you master them. Throughout the term we will apply what we've learned to arguments found in a variety of disciplines (ethics, politics, the cognitive sciences etc) and expressed through a variety of platforms (social media, film etc). We will cover such topics as (but will not be limited to) euthanasia, internet piracy, climate change and problems arising from technological change. In other words, you will be dealing with arguments found in the 'real world'. The techniques presented in this course provide a good training in intellectual self-defence, by showing you how to organize your thoughts in a coherent fashion, and present work that is well structured and well written. In this way you will be able to argue more persuasively for whichever position you take on any of the topics we will be exploring, and not be misled by fallacious modes of reasoning.
Critical Thinking: Argument and Argumentation (2nd edition) by Jean Saindon and Peter Krek
Argument Mapping test (10%): September 26.
Module 3 in the textbook.
Argument Evaluation test (20%): October 31.
Modules 4, 5 and 6 in the textbook.
Fallacies test (20%): November 29.
Module 7 in the textbook.
Conceptual Analysis test (20%): Feb 6,
Module 8 in the textbook.
Article Analysis test (20%): April 3.
Modules 9, 10 and 11 in the textbook.
Weekly Submissions (10%):
Group work based on exercises done in class and uploaded to eClass.
Each class will be a combination of in-person lecture and assigned group work. Group work will consist of exercises to be completed in collaboration with your group peers and uploaded to eClass in a submission box at the end of every class.
By the end of this course you will have the skills to write an undergraduate paper of the highest quality; one that is well organized, clearly written and articulating the strongest arguments that can be made within the point of view you adopt on any topic you want to write about. No one is born with this skill. Rather, it’s an ability that requires patient nurturing, and lots of practice. However, with a bit of work, you’ll be able to analyze concepts (using reasoning by cases), and use this skill to build arguments expressing different points of view. You’ll be acquiring skills readily transferable to all academic disciplines (the social sciences, the humanities, engineering, the mathematically based disciplines) and beyond (any of the professional careers you’d care to mention) including everyday work environments where clear thinking and the ability to articulate ideas in a coherent fashion are prized.
Course policies
Grading, Assignment Submission, Lateness Penalties and Missed Tests
Grading: The grading scheme for the course conforms to the 9-point grading system used in undergraduate programs at York (e.g., A+ = 9, A = 8, B+ - 7, C+ = 5, etc.). Assignments and tests* will bear either a letter grade designation or a corresponding number grade (e.g. A+ = 90 to 100, A = 80 to 90, B+ = 75 to 79, etc.)
(For a full description of York grading system see the York University Undergraduate Calendar - http://calendars.registrar.yorku.ca/2010-2011/academic/index.htm
Students may take a limited number of courses for degree credit on an ungraded (pass/fail) basis. For full information on this option see Alternative Grading Option in the LAPS section of the Undergraduate Calendar: (provide web link to calendar description of this option for the Faculty offering the course)
Assignment Submission: Proper academic performance depends on students doing their work not only well, but on time. Accordingly, assignments for this course must be received on the due date specified for the assignment. Assignments are to be handed in in the designated submission boxes in Moodle.
Lateness Penalty: Assignments received later than the due date will be penalized one-half letter grade (1 grade point) per day that assignment is late). Exceptions to the lateness penalty for valid reasons such as illness, compassionate grounds, etc., may be entertained by the Course Instructor but will require supporting documentation (e.g., a doctor’s letter).
Missed Tests: Students with a documented reason for missing a course test, such as illness, compassionate grounds, etc., which is confirmed by supporting documentation (e.g., doctor’s letter) may request accommodation from the Course Instructor and allowed to write a make-up test on a date to be set at the instructor’s discretion. Further extensions or accommodation will require students to submit a formal petition to the Faculty.
- 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