San Diego State University Comm 160-2 Syllabus- B. Quintero
Comm 160-2 Argumentation Ms. Brianna Quintero
Course Information
Class Times: T/TH 12:30-1:45
Course Number: COMM 160 Class Location: PSFA 436
Schedule Number: 20833
Semester: Spring 2014
Instructor Information
Instructor: Ms. Brianna Quintero
Office: Comm 242
Office Hours: Tuesdays 2-3 p.m. and by appointment
E-mail address: bquintero@mail.sdsu.edu
Course Content Summary: This is a practical skills class.
Material will focus on developing research and critical thinking
skills. Students will be trained on how to construct and deploy
reasoned arguments across multiple contexts.
Course Objectives: With the completion of this course, students
will be able to:

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Recognize and demonstrate knowledge of basic argument
theories and principles.
Critically analyze the different parts of an argument.
Illustrate the practical application of argumentation theories in
real life.
Prepare and evaluate extensive research in the construction of
arguments and argument strategies.
Provide students with an in-depth familiarity with different
research tools available at SDSU. Student Learning Outcomes:

Student will be able to evaluate speeches to differentiate valid
from invalid arguments.
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
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Student will be able to locate data on a topic and use that data to
support claims and arguments in a speech.
Student will understand argumentation strategies in both
written, verbal, and mediated settings.
Student will participate in formal presentations and debates.
Text: The primary text for this class will be Jay Heinrichs
(2013). “Thank You For Arguing: What Aristotle, Lincoln, and
Homer Simpson can teach us about the art of persuasion.” The secondary text for this class will consist of assigned articles
posted on Blackboard as well as any additional handouts
distributed in class.
Communication: The best way to find me is through email
(bquintero@mail.sdsu.edu). In order for me to receive your
message, you need to put the word “CLASS” in the subject line,
and sign the email with your full name and course number. If you
don’t, your email may be caught by the spam filters and destroyed
before I see it. The class Blackboard menu also has a link to this
information. Also, please understand that emailing me guarantees
you nothing in terms of course content or special arrangements.
Blackboard: Course content, assignment guidelines, and review
sheets will be distributed via the Blackboard online class system.
You are responsible for checking the Blackboard site before class
each day, and for making sure that the email listed in your
eservices profile is an account you read and use. If you have
trouble using computers or following these directions, visit the
library learning center for instruction.
Behavior in the Classroom: Rude or disruptive behavior from a
student towards the instructor or another student is unacceptable.
Such behavior includes, but is not limited to, talking during a
student’s speech, entering or exiting the room while students are
speaking, eating in class, text- messaging, using cell phones,
San Diego State University Comm 160-2 Syllabus- B. Quintero
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browsing the internet on laptops, inappropriate language or
comments, etc. The student will be warned once. Upon the next
occurrence, the student will be asked to leave the classroom and
needs to schedule an in person meeting with the instructor before
they are allowed to rejoin the class.
Language: In an effort to create and maintain a comfortable and
equitable environment for everyone, any language that is racist,
sexist, or that discriminates against any person or group will not be
tolerated in the classroom. Any such language in any speech,
assignment, or classroom discussion will result in an automatic “F”
for that speech or assignment and the occurrence will be
documented in case any further disciplinary actions are warranted.
Cell phones: Please be respectful by turning off your cell phones
in class. If you have an important reason for leaving your phone
on, you must consult the course instructor for direction before the
start of the class session. If your cell phone rings during another
student’s presentation, you have one warning. If it happens again
in the semester, you will be asked to leave class after the person
speaking is done and you will lose all points for the day.
Assignments: It is your responsibility to complete assignments
correctly and turn them in on the day that they are due. There are
no make-ups for debates, assignments, or exams unless previously
arranged with your instructor. There are no make-ups for any
quizzes, participation or discussion questions.
Attendance: Regular attendance is required. Students are expected
to attend every class meeting, to arrive on time and stay throughout
the class period. If you miss a test or a debate you will lose all of
those points and forfeit all extra credit opportunities. If you are
aware that you cannot be in class on a debate or test day it is your
responsibility to let me know prior to your absence so that
arrangements can be made and proper documentation be shown. In
San Diego State University Comm 160-2 Syllabus- B. Quintero
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class points cannot be made up. Attendance will be monitored and
small participation assignments will be assigned without prior
notice.
Withdrawal: The final day to withdrawal from this class is
February 4th. Check the school calendar for more information and
signature requirements. Academic Honesty Policy and Plagiarism:
There will be absolutely no cheating tolerated in this course
including, but not limited to, the use of material without proper
citation, quoting sources without giving proper credit to the source,
copying and pasting the work of others, sharing information during
test time, and or falsifying the work or data of your research in any
way. Please consult the San Diego State University Student
Conduct Code/Academic Dishonesty for further clarification on
this policy. Students may be failed for the particular assignment or
for the entire class due to infractions of this policy. If there are any
questions about what is and what is not cheating it is your
responsibility to review this policy and consult the instructor.
THE ACADEMIC DISHONESTY POLICY OF THE
SCHOOL OF COMMUNICATION
Plagiarism is theft of intellectual property. It is one of the highest
forms of academic offense because in academe, it is a scholar’s
words, ideas, and creative products that are the primary measures
of identity and achievement. Whether by ignorance, accident, or
intent, theft is still theft, and misrepresentation is still
misrepresentation. Therefore, the offense is still serious, and is
treated as such.
Overview: In any case in which a Professor or Instructor identifies
evidence for charging a student with violation of academic conduct
standards or plagiarism, the presumption will be with that
instructor’s determination. However, the faculty/instructor(s) will
confer with the director to substantiate the evidence. Once
San Diego State University Comm 160-2 Syllabus- B. Quintero
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confirmed, the evidence will be reviewed with the student. If,
following the review with the student, the faculty member and
director determine that academic dishonesty has occurred, the
evidence will be submitted to the Office of Student Rights and
Responsibilities. The report “identifies the student who was found
responsible, the general nature of the offense, the action taken, and
a recommendation as to whether or not additional action should be
considered by the campus judicial affairs office.”
(CSSR Website[1]).
[1] http://www.sa.sdsu.edu/srr/academics1.html
Intellectual Property:
The syllabus, lectures and lecture outlines are personal copyrighted
intellectual property of the instructor, which means that any
organized recording for anything other than personal use,
duplication, distribution, or profit is a violation of copyright and
fair use laws.
Proper Source Attribution:
Proper attribution occurs by specifying the source of content or
ideas. This is done by (a)
providing quotation marks around text, when directly quoted, and
(b) clearly designating the source of the text or information relied
upon in an assignment. Text that is identical with another source
but without quotation marks constitutes plagiarism, regardless of
whether you included the original source.
Specific exemplary infractions and consequences:
a. Reproducing a whole paper, paragraph, or large portions of
unattributed materials (whether represented by: (i) multiple
sentences, images, or portions of images; or (ii) by percentage of
assignment length) without proper attribution, will result in
assignment of an “F” in the course, and a report to Student Rights
and Responsibilities.
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b. Reproducing a sentence or sentence fragment with no quotation
marks but source citation, or subsets of visual images without
source attribution, will minimally result in an “F” on the
assignment. Repeated or serious cases will result in assignment of
an “F” in the course, and a report to Student Rights and
Responsibilities.
Self-plagiarism: Students often practice some form of ‘doubledipping,’ in which they write on a given topic across more than
one course assignment. In general, there is nothing wrong with
double-dipping topics or sources, but there is a problem with
double-dipping exact and redundant text. It is common for scholars
to write on the same topic across many publication outlets; this is
part of developing expertise and the reputation of being a scholar
on a topic. Scholars, however, are not permitted to repeat exact text
across papers or publications except when noted and attributed, as
this wastes precious intellectual space with repetition and does a
disservice to the particular source of original presentation by
‘diluting’ the value of the original presentation. Any time that a
writer simply ‘ cuts-and-pastes’ exact text from former papers into
a new paper without proper attribution, it is a form of selfplagiarism. Consequently, a given paper should never be turned in
to multiple classes. Entire paragraphs, or even sentences, should
not be repeated word-for-word across course assignments. Each
new writing assignment is precisely that, a new writing
assignment, requiring new composition on the student’s part.
Secondary citations: Secondary citation is not strictly a form of
plagiarism, but in blatant forms, it can present similar ethical
challenges. A secondary citation is citing source A, which in turn
cites source B, but it is source B’s ideas or content that provide the
basis for the claims the student intends to make in the assignment.
For example, assume that there is an article by Jones (2006) in the
student’s hands, in which there is a discussion or quotation of an
article by Smith (1998). Assume further that what Smith seems to
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be saying is very important to the student’s analysis. In such a
situation, the student should always try to locate the original Smith
source. In general, if an idea is important enough to discuss in an
assignment, it is important enough to locate and cite the original
source for that idea. There are several reasons for these policies:
(a) Authors sometimes commit citation errors, which might be
replicated without knowing it; (b) Authors sometimes make
interpretation errors, which might be ignorantly reinforced (c)
Therefore, reliability of scholarly activity is made more difficult to
assure and enforce; (d) By relying on only a few sources of review,
the learning process is short-circuited, and the student’s own
research competencies are diminished, which are integral to any
liberal education; (e) By masking the actual sources of ideas,
readers must second guess which sources come from which
citations, making the readers’ own research more difficult; (f) By
masking the origin of the information, the actual source of ideas is
misrepresented. Some suggestions that assist with this principle:
When the ideas Jones discusses are clearly attributed to, or unique
to, Smith, then find the Smith source and citation.
When the ideas Jones is discussing are historically associated more
with Smith than with Jones, then find the Smith source and
citation.
In contrast, Jones is sometimes merely using Smith to back up
what Jones is saying and believes, and is independently qualified
to claim, whether or not Smith would have also said it; in such a
case, citing Jones is sufficient.
Never simply copy a series of citations at the end of a statement by
Jones, and reproduce the reference list without actually going to
look up what those references report—the only guarantee that
claims are valid is for a student to read the original sources of
those claims.
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Solicitation for ghost writing:
Any student who solicits any third party to write any portion of an
assignment for this class (whether for pay or not) violates the
standards of academic honesty in this course. The penalty for
solicitation (regardless of whether it can be demonstrated the
individual solicited wrote any sections of the assignment) is an F in
the course.
TurnItIn.com
Any assigned papers in this course will be submitted electronically
in Word (preferably .docx) on the due dates assigned, and will
require verification of submission to Turnitin.com.
“Students agree that by taking this course all required papers may
be subject to submission for textual similarity review to
TurnItIn.com for the detection of plagiarism. All submitted papers
will be included as source documents in the TurnItIn.com
reference database solely for the purpose of detecting plagiarism of
such papers. You may submit your papers in such a way that no
identifying information about you is included. Another option is
that you may request, in writing, that your papers not be submitted
to TurnItIn.com. However, if you choose this option you will be
required to provide documentation to substantiate that the papers
are your original work and do not include any plagiarized material”
(source: language suggested by the CSU General Counsel and
approved by the Center for Student’s Rights and Responsibilities at
SDSU)
Specific exemplary infractions and consequences
Course failure: Reproducing a whole paper, paragraph, or large
portions of unattributed materials without proper attribution,
whether represented by: (a) multiple sentences, images, or portions
of images; or (b) by percentage of assignment length, or
solicitation of a ghost writer, will result in assignment of an “F” in
San Diego State University Comm 160-2 Syllabus- B. Quintero
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the course in which the infraction occurred, and a report to the
Center for Student Rights and Responsibilities (CSRR2).
Assignment failure: Reproducing a sentence or sentence fragment
with no quotation marks, but with source citation, or subsets of
visual images without source attribution, will minimally result in
an “F” on the assignment, and may result in greater penalty,
including a report to the CSRR, depending factors noted below. In
this instance, an “F” may mean anything between a zero (0) and
50%, depending on the extent of infraction.
Exacerbating conditions--Amount: Evidence of infraction, even
if fragmentary, is increased with a greater: (a) number of
infractions; (b) distribution of infractions across an assignment; or
(c) proportion of the assignment consisting of infractions.
Exacerbating conditions--Intent: Evidence of foreknowledge and
intent to deceive magnifies the seriousness of the offense and the
grounds for official response. Plagiarism, whether ‘by accident’ or
‘by ignorance,’ still qualifies as plagiarism—it is all students
’responsibility to make sure their assignments are not committing
the offense.
Exceptions: Any exceptions to these policies will be considered
on a case-by-case basis, and only
under exceptional circumstances.
HOWEVER, THERE ARE NO EXCUSES ALLOWED BASED
ON IGNORANCE OF WHAT CONSTITUTES PLAGIARISM,
OR OF WHAT THIS POLICY IS.
Grades: If you want to discuss your grades please write to me and
sign your full name and list your course. Please write only after
grades are posted on Blackboard but no later than one week of the
grade having been assigned.
Students with Disabilities: Students with disabilities who believe
they may need an accommodation in this class are encouraged to
contact Student Disability Services, located in the Calpulli Center,
San Diego State University Comm 160-2 Syllabus- B. Quintero
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Suite 3101, as soon as possible to ensure that accommodations are
implemented in a timely fashion. Information regarding their
services follows:
Hours: Monday - Friday, 8 am - 4:30 pm
Mailing Address:
Student Disability Services
San Diego State University
5500 Campanile Drive
San Diego, CA 92182-4740
Mail Code: 4740
Tel: (619) 594-6473
Fax: (619) 594-4315
URL: http://www.sa.sdsu.edu/sds/
Test Accommodation Center (TAC)
Calpulli Center, Suite 1300 (first floor)
Hours: Monday - Friday, 8 am-4:30 pm
(extended hours for test administration)
(619) 594-2643
WorkAbility IV
Calpulli Center 3101 & Career Center
Contact Cheryl Rietz @ 594-8480
High Tech Center and Student Support Services
Project
Love Library 205
Hours: Mon - Thu, 8:30 am-5:30 pm
Fri, 9 am-5 pm
(619) 594-5315
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Major Course Assignments: This course will be made up of
several major assignments. They are one midterm, one final and 2
in class policy debates. The midterm will consist of multiple
choice and short answer questions. The final will be the same
format (each exam is worth 100 points). Each debate is worth 50
points. (see the debate section for more detailed grading). All of
these assignments are mandatory and cannot be made up unless
prior arrangements have been made with me. This does not mean
that you send me an email at the last minute. Prior arrangements
means we speak in person or have correspondence by email to
discuss your situation. If you fail to meet this standard then you
will receive a 0 on that assignment and automatically forfeit all
extra credit opportunities for the class.
Debates: Format: In this class we will be presenting 3 different
styles of speech/debate. The first will be a value debate with 2
members on each the affirmative and negative side. The second
style of debate will be a modified policy style debate. The third
and final will be a limited preparation speech (a solo debate). Each
debate team will have 2 students per team, with both members
speaking. We will brainstorm topics together at the beginning of
the debate section of our class. It is imperative that you do not miss
any speeches or debates. If you have an emergency you MUST
inform me prior to missing your presentation. If not you will lose
all applicable points and forfeit all extra credit opportunities. This
is a chance to demonstrate your understanding of the class lessons
so far. For all presentations you should incorporate knowledge and
strategies discussed during the semester. For all presentations you
should also devote some thought to strategy, and do your best to
control the ground of the argument. Also, be on the lookout for
fallacies, especially during the cross-examination in the large
policy debate. In your policy debate you will be graded on
organization, evidence, clash, question, and presentation style.
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Policy Debate Grading:
20pts- Organization and Evidence- must show debate flow
10pts- Clash
10pts- Question
10pts- Presentation
50 pts total per Debate
Spectators: Class members that are watching the debates will be
responsible for turning in a flow of each debate as you leave class.
Every person must flow the debate and turn this in as part of your
attendance for the day. If you do not turn in your flow you will be
counted as absent for the day and lose all applicable points.
Policy Debate Rubric:
In this class if you expect to receive an “A” on the in class policy
debates you should do each of the following:
• Make sure you attend on your debate day.
• Turn in an organized flow of the entire debate round.
• Have 5 well researched arguments dealing with your topic.
• Directly clash with at least 3 of your opposing teams arguments.
• Ask, or attempt to ask, at least 2 intelligent questions during the
round.
• Show clear signs of having practiced your speech before your in
class debate.
• Dress in business casual attire and look calm, cool and collected.
To receive a “B”:
• Make sure you attend on your debate day.
• Turn in a well organized flow of the entire debate round.
• Have 4 well researched arguments dealing with your topic.
• Directly clash with at least 2 of your opposing teams arguments.
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• Ask, or attempt to ask, at least 1 intelligent question during the
round.
• Show clear signs of having practiced your speech before your in
class debate.
• Dress in business casual attire and look calm, cool and collected.
To receive a “C”:
• Make sure you attend on your debate day.
• Turn in a somewhat organized flow of the entire debate round or
part of the debate round.
• Have 2-3 moderately researched arguments dealing with your
topic.
• Directly clash with at least 0-1 of your opposing teams
arguments.
• Ask no questions during the round.
• Show that you spent little to no time preparing for your debate.
• Dress in an unkempt manner showing little regard for your
audience.
To receive a “D”:
• Make sure you attend on your debate day.
• Turn in a sloppy or incomplete flow for debates.
• Have 0 arguments dealing with your topic.
• Directly clash with none of your opposing teams arguments.
• Ask no questions during the round.
• Show clear signs that you have no interest in your speech or
topic.
To receive an “F”:
• Show up late or simply don't attend your debate (this will result
in a 0).
• Have no flow to turn in at the end of the round.
• Have 0 arguments dealing with your topic.
• Directly clash with none of your opposing teams arguments.
• Ask no questions during the round.
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• Show clear signs that you have no interest in your speech or topic
at all.
100 Point Scale 50 Point Scale
A 100
A 50
A- 92
A- 45
B+ 88
B+ 44
B 85
B 42
B- 82
B- 40
C+ 78
C+ 39
C 75
C 37
C- 72
C- 35
D+ 68
D+ 34
D 65
D 32
D- 62
D- 30
F0
F0
Chapter Outline and Presentation: At the beginning of each
class a student will share an outline of their designated chapter.
This outline should include a summary of the chapter, an
explanation of key terms and important points. In addition, this
student should create at least three discussion questions where they
allow the class to answer and thoughtfully discuss. I will format
my tests based off of these questions. Your participation is
expected and appreciated during this time.
In Class Activities/Quizzes: I will periodically have in class
activities or quizzes. In class activities consist of solo or group
exercises relevant to class material. The quizzes will be simple, 5
question 2 pt per question, quizzes detailing important things in the
class. These are simply to see how well you are doing in the
course and following along with the material.
Participation: The participation portion of your grade is hopefully
going to be an easy 25 points. If you are an active and productive
member of the class, participating in drills, class activities, and
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answering some of the discussion questions, then the 25 points are
easily attainable. However, if you are missing class and not
participating this could become a problem for your final grade.
This is a performance-based class and I expect every student to
act accordingly.
Rhetorical Tool Belt: This assignment is an opportunity for you to
record key ideas, terms, and tactics that resonate with you. Your
rhetorical tool belt is a notebook that draws from lectures, textbook
information, and class activities. You may use this tool belt to
assist you during in-class debates.
Course Points:
Midterm Exam
Final Exam
Value Debate
Debate 1
Debate 2
Participation
Rhetorical Tool Belt
Chapter Outline and Presentation
Debate Flows
Limited Prep Speech
Class Activities
Total
Possible
100
100
20
50
50
25
20
25
25
25
50
500 points
40 points extra credit
*Please note: The instructor reserves the right to alter course
assignments, point values, and due dates. The calendar below
serves as a tentative schedule, which may change over the course
of the semester.
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San Diego State University Comm 160-2 Syllabus- B. Quintero
Dates:
Lesson
Activity
Assignment
WEEK 1
Thu 1/23
Syllabus
Intro to course
Heinrichs Ch. 1-2
Intro to
Argumentation
Critical Thinking
The 3 Issues
Outline and Discussion
Ch. 1-2
Outline and Discussion
Ch. 3-4
Heinrichs Ch. 3-4
Ethos Pathos Logos
Ethos
Toulmin
Pathos
Montana Meth
Project
Outline and Discussion
Chapter 5-7
Heinrichs Ch. 8-10
Outline and Discussion
Ch. 8-10
Montana Meth Project
Heinrichs Ch. 11-13
Logic
Midterm Review
Midterm
Outline and Discussion
Ch. 11-13
In-class
Study!
Tue 2/18
Fallacies
Fouls
Outline and Discussion
Ch. 14-15
Heinrichs Ch. 16-17
Thu 2/20
Proof
The Paleo Diet
Outline and Discussion
Ch. 16-17
Heinrichs Ch. 18-19
Figures
Current Events
Rhetorical Tools
Toulmin Adv
Outline and Discussion
Ch. 18-19
Outline and Discussion
Ch. 20-22
Heinrichs Ch. 20-22
Rhetorical Tools
Analyzing Ads
Final Review
Outline and Discussion
Ch. 23-24
Heincrichs/Toulmin
Review
Study!
Final
Putting it all together
In class
Outline and Discussion
Ch. 25-26
Written/verbal/mediated
Heinrichs Ch. 25-26
Heinrichs Ch. 26-28
WEEK 2
Tue 1/28
Thu 1/30
WEEK 3
Tue 2/4
Thu 2/6
WEEK 4
Tue 2/11
Thu 2/13
WEEK 5
WEEK 6
Tue 2/25
Thu 2/27
WEEK 7
Tue 3/04
Thu 3/06
Heinrichs Ch. 5-7
Heinrichs Ch. 14-15
Heinrichs Ch. 23-24
WEEK 8
Tue 03/11
Thu 3/13
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San Diego State University Comm 160-2 Syllabus- B. Quintero
WEEK 9
Tue 3/18
Value Debate Intro
Structure/ Flow
Value Debates
Outline and Discussion
Ch. 26-28
In-class
Value Debates
Flow Debate
Intro. Policy Debate
Research
NO CLASS
In-class
Tue 4/08
Policy Rules/Instr.
Present cards/ write
cases
Thu 04/10
Policy Debate 1
Thu 3/20
WEEK 10
Tue 3/25
Thurs 3/27
WEEK 11
Assign Partners
Announce Topic
SPRING BREAK
Evidence Cards
WEEK 12
WEEK 13
Tue 4/15
Policy Debate 2, 3
Thu 4/17
Policy Debate 4, 5
WEEK 14
Tue 4/22
Policy Debate 6, 7
Thu 4/24
New Policy
Resolution
Instruction/ Research
WEEK 15
Tue 4/29
Policy Debate 1, 2
Thu 5/01
Policy Debate 3, 4
WEEK 16
Tue 5/06
Policy Debate 5, 6
Thu 5/08
Policy Debate 7
Limited Prep Instr.
WEEK17
Tue 5/15
Final 10:30- 12:30
Limited Prep Speech
Presentations
Class Party
Evidence Cards
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