Spring 2011
"He who establishes his argument by
noise and command
shows that his reason is weak."
Michel de Montaigne
James Tomlinson, Ph.D.
Spring Semester 2011
Office Hours:
M - F: 7:30 - 8 am
MWF: 10 -11
T/R: 10:45 - 11:30
(other times by appointment)
"People generally quarrel because
they cannot argue."
Gilbert K. Chesterton
Course Objectives:
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This course will examine fundamental principles of logic, evidence, reasoning, organization, and effective presentation of arguments both in favor and in opposition to a proposition.
The course will focus on:
Improving your ability
to analyze and criticize arguments.
Understanding the
differences between facts and inferences.
How to research and
organize.
The role of
argumentation in society.
Improving your ability
to perform as an advocate.
Class will be conducted in a lecture/discussion format for the first few weeks, as we discuss the readings and other assignments. The second part of the course will focus on in-class debate presentations.
Debates will be evaluated on the basis of your research, organizational and presentational skills. While the class will vote on who won each debate, winning or losing will not be the basis of your grade.
Student debaters will turn in all copies of evidence prepared for each debate, regardless of its use during the debate, and the flow-chart taken during the debate. Full citation of all material will be expected.
Text: "Argumentation and Critical Decision Making" Richard D. Rieke
Course Activities/Policies:
Students will perform
Attendance
- 2 unexcused absences will be allowed without penalty.
Grading -
Advocate Presentation 20% Opposition Presentation 20% Shark Tank panelist 10% Analysis Paper 10% Class participation 10% Mid Term Examination 10% Final Examination 10% ADVOCATE/OPPOSITION Assignment:
ADVOCATE – to promote an idea/change speech of 8 – 10 minutes
OPPOSITION – to oppose the Advocates position – speech of 8 – 10 minutes
SHARK TANK – two people to ask 3 minutes of questions each – in those 3 minutes each questioner asks questions of BOTH the Advocate and the Opposition
"He who knows only his own side of
the case, knows little of that. "
John Stuart Mill
Course Calendar
Date Class Activity Readings
| Week | Activitiy/Topic | Reading Assignment |
| Jan 19-21 | Course introduction | |
| Jan 24-28 | Defining Argumentation/Historical Contexts | Chapters 1 - 2 |
| Jan 31- Feb 4 | Criteria for examining argumentation - | Chapters 3 - 5 |
| Feb 7 - 11 | Creating Briefs, Case Building, Support, and Terminology | Chapters 6 - 10 |
| Feb 14 + 16 | Evidence, Credibility, Refutation, and Fallacy Claims | Chapters 6 - 10 |
| Feb 18 | MID TERM EXAM - Bring bluebooks - (chapters 1 - 10 on exam) | |
| Feb 21 - | First round of Presentations begin - assignments confirmed via email | |
| April 4 | Second round of Presentations begin - assignments confirmed via email | |
Click here for Argumentation Web Links for research
and debate organizations
Click here for Argumentation Course Handouts,
class debate
schedules, and supplemental materials
Click here to read my Policy on Plagiarism
"We are
what we repeatedly do.
Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit."
Aristotle
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