AP/MODR1790 6.0 A: Reasoning In Everyday Language
Offered by: MODR
(Cross-listed to: AP/ESL1790 6.0A )
Session
Fall 2025
Term
Y
Format
ONLN (Fully Online)
Calendar Description / Prerequisite / Co-Requisite
This course is structured to enhance the continued learning and language proficiency of ESL students. Students are exposed to theory and skills that foster critical reading, writing, speaking, thinking, and reasoning. Students apply theory and skills to the analysis of timely culturally relevant social, ethical, and/or pop culture issues. Given the smaller class size, students can expect opportunities of continued experiential education built into the course. Finally, students can expect to see real improvement in their abilities to be both respectfully curious individuals and reasonable skeptics - practices that are helpful in other academic courses and life generally. Students who have been admitted to York University with an ESL requirement, or can demonstrate an ESL need, will be given permission to enrol in this course. Contact the Department of Philosophy or course instructor (Lcarozza@yorku.ca) for guidance. Course credit exclusions: AP/MODR 1730 6.0; AP/MODR 1760 6.0; AP/MODR 1770 6.0; AP/PHIL 2200 3.0; GL/MODR 1711 6.0 (this does not include course codes prior to 2009 in AS and AK). Note: This course has been approved in the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies for general education credit: 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.
Dr. Linda Carozza
lcarozza@yorku.ca
Virtual office hours: The instructor will be available at different times of the week (am and pm) for office hours on Zoom. A Calendly link will be provided on eClass where you can book an appointment.
The general purpose of all the Modes of Reasoning courses (MODR) is to equip students with critical thinking and logical thinking, which are invaluable to academic studies, a professional career, and life generally.
This course is an introduction to a series of reasoning skills, concepts, and techniques from a multidisciplinary stance. With content from the fields of philosophy, psychology, sociology, and conflict resolution, students are guided to: read or listen to others' ideas with an engaged mind; think critically about those ideas; develop strong arguments and ideas of one's own; and, verbalize those ideas clearly and concisely, orally and in writing.
This Modes of Reasoning course is intended only for multilingual students. It addresses the same content as other Modes of Reasoning courses while supporting the language proficiency needs of multilingual students. Students learn theory and skills that foster listening, (active) reading, writing, speaking, and (critical) thinking. Students apply theory and skills to the analysis of relevant social, ethical, and/or pop culture issues. Experiential education is built into the course so that skills are actively practiced. Students continually hone their abilities to be both respectfully curious individuals and reasonable skeptics - practices that are helpful in future courses and life generally. Specific learning outcomes are listed below.
Technical requirements for taking the course: Very few platforms will be used in this course:
- eClass for course site and all course information and activities (login: eclass.yorku.ca)
- Zoom for synchronous sessions and course office hours (links are on eClass)
You do not need to create accounts for these – use your York Passport ID to login to both.
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.]
Times and locations: There will be no in-person interactions or activities on campus. There will be mandatory attendance and participation in synchronous Zoom sessions on some Mondays between 11:30 am and 2:30 pm EST. They will require a working microphone and camera. These are not optional. The course schedule provides specificities.
Academic Writing Now – with Readings: A Brief Guide for Busy Students
Starkey, David
Broadview Press
2024
9781554816491
Good Reasoning Matters! A Guide to Critical Thinking in a Digital Age
Groarke, Tindale, Carozza
Broadview Press
2025 6th edition
9781554816842
Participation – 20%
Quizzes – 20%
Short Assignments – 30%
Critical Analysis Project – 30%
More specific information about assignments will be provided in the syllabus on eClass.
TBA
TBA
- 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
