BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN COMMUNITY COLLEGE
City University of New York
DEPARTMENT OF DEVELOPMENTAL SKILLS
CRT 100.985/PHI 115/985
Hours: 3
Credits: 3
Days/Rooms: M S637
Time: M 12-1:40; Online 1 hour
Instructor Cynthia S. Wiseman, EdD
Email: cwiseman@bmcc.cuny.edu
Phone: 212 220-8373
Office: N436
Office Hours: M: 1-2; W 12-2
Course Description
This course is designed to sharpen your ability to think clearly, logically, thoroughly,
and effectively. You will learn to use analytical skills in reading, writing, oral presentations,
researching, and listening. You will learn how and to apply reasoning in
problem-solvingand decision-making in academic endeavors and in various life situations.
Required Text & Readings
THINK, Judith Boss, McGraw-Hill. ISBN 978-0-07-313490-1
Other Resources
Newspaper and magazines articles and blogs
Use of Technology
This is a web-enhanced course. Please log onto Bb for assessments, course documents, and supplemental material
and journal assignments.
Student Learning Outcomes
 Define the nature of critical thinking
 Analyze arguments
 Present a coherent, persuasive argument in writing and in oral presentations (as
individuals and in groups)
 Respond to arguments as a critical, analytical reader and writer
 Make considerate decisions (as individuals and in groups)
 Recognize the influence of “outside” sources on our thinking
 Recognize the credibility, appropriateness, and reliability of sources
 Recognize others’ biases in thinking and how they influence us
 Recognize stereotypes as an example of “mushy” thinking
 Read, summarize, comprehend, and draw meaning from avariety of texts and media
Evaluation & Requirements of Students
Students will be evaluated based on many factors, including:
 Completion of assignments: quality work and timeliness of submission
 The quality of the written assignments
 Group/class participation
 Examinations/Quizzes
 Oral presentations
 Attendance and punctuality
ASSESSMENTS
Student learning outcomes will be measured through the following assessments:
Student Learning Outcome
Define the nature of critical thinking
Analyze arguments
Present a coherent, thought-provoking, persuasive argument in writing and
in oral presentations
Respond critically and analytically to arguments
Make thoughtful, considerate decisions
Recognize the influence of “outside” sources on our thinking
Evaluate the legitimacy, credibility, appropriateness, and reliability of
sources
Recognize others’ biases in thinking and determine how biases influence
them
Recognize stereotypes and explain how stereotypes affect critical thinking
Read and analyze a variety of texts and media
Assessment
In-class discussions
Wiki posts
Quiz &/or exam
In-class discussions
Wiki posts
In-class exercises – individual &
pair work
Quiz &/or exam
Persuasive essays
Wiki posts
In-class debate
Persuasive presentation
In-class debate
Wiki posts/comments
In-class discussions
Hypotheticals
Journal entries
Problem-solving activities
Mini-research paper on
contemporary issue
Hypotheticals
Exam
Hypotheticals
In-class discussion
Exam
Quiz
Hypotheticals
In-class discussion
Case studies
Hypotheticals
In-class discussion
Exam
In-class exercises
Exams
Outline of Topics
--Thinking critically (defining and implementation; logic)
--Problem solving (individual and group; providing “proof”)
--Perception
--Believing and knowing (fact and opinion)
--Language (application in reading, writing, and thinking)
--Planning and organizing
--Reporting, inferring, and judging
--Argumentation and persuasion (application in writing and oral presentation)
--Critical analysis (in reading, writing, and response to academic and other sources)
--Study skills/note-taking
METHODOLOGY:
A variety of methods will be utilized to enhance thinking abilities, including:
--Readings (from the text and from material supplied by the instructor)
--Class discussions, debates, and participation
--Group collaboration in problem solving
--Writing assignments
--Oral presentations
--Research assignments
--Examinations/Quizzes
College Attendance Policy
At BMCC, the maximum number of absences is limited to one more hour than the number of hours a class meets in
one week. For example, you may be enrolled in a three-hour class. In that class, you would be allowed 4 hours of
absence (not 4 days). In the case of excessive absences, the instructor has the option to lower the grade or assign an
F or WU grade.
Academic Adjustments for Students with Disabilities
Students with disabilities who require reasonable accommodations or academic adjustments for this course must
contact the Office of Services for Students with Disabilities. BMCC is committed to providing equal access to all
programs and curricula to all students.
BMCC Policy on Plagiarism and Academic Integrity Statement
Plagiarism is the presentation of someone else’s ideas, words or artistic, scientific, or technical work as one’s own
creation. Using the idea or work of another is permissible only when the original author is identified. Paraphrasing
and summarizing, as well as direct quotations, require citations to the original source. Plagiarism may be intentional
or unintentional. Lack of dishonest intent does not necessarily absolve a student of responsibility for plagiarism.
Students who are unsure how and when to provide documentation are advised to consult with their instructors. The
library has guides designed to help students to appropriately identify a cited work. The full policy can be found on
BMCC’s web side, www.bmcc.cuny.edu. For further information on integrity and behavior, please consult the
college bulletin (also available online).
Wk1
Critical Thinking
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Wk2
Advertising &Mktg
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Wk3
Language & Gender
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Introductions
Define the nature of
critical thinking
Recognize barriers to
critical thinking
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Recognize the influence of
“outside” sources on our
thinking
Read, summarize,
comprehend, and draw
meaning from a variety of
texts and media
Present a coherent,
persuasive argument in
writing and in oral
presentations (as individuals
and in groups)
Respond to arguments as a
critical, analytical reader and
writer
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Recognize others’ biases
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Assessment: MC quiz
Journal: Recognize barriers to critical
thinking in case scenarios
DB: Define critical thinking &
Introductions
Journal: Read and evaluate the Wootan
and Liodice arguments on advertising and
children
In-class debate on responsibility for public
policy on content in advertising targeting
children
Discussion Board: Obesity and
cafeteria/food service at BMCC
PPT on language and gender
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Wk4
Mass media
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Wk5
Ethics & Moral
Decision-making
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in thinking and how they
influence us
Recognize stereotypes as
an example of “mushy”
thinking
Recognize the influence
of “outside” sources on
our thinking
Recognize the
credibility,
appropriateness, and
reliability of sources
Recognize others’ biases
in thinking and how they
influence us
Recognize stereotypes as
an example of “mushy”
thinking
Read, summarize,
comprehend, and draw
meaning from a variety
of texts and media
Analyze arguments
Present a coherent,
persuasive argument in
writing and in oral
presentations (as
individuals and in
groups)
Respond to arguments as
a critical, analytical
reader and writer
Make considerate
decisions (as individuals
and in groups)
Recognize the influence
of “outside” sources on
our thinking
Recognize the
credibility,
appropriateness, and
reliability of sources
Recognize others’ biases
in thinking and how they
influence us
Recognize stereotypes as
an example of “mushy”
thinking
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In-class exercise on terms related to
weight and gender and implications
Patterns of gender-related language use
Data collection of language use by
gender
Online quiz: chapter 3
View conservative and liberal talk shows
and analyze for bias: content/topics,
physical appearance (dress, gestures,
etc.), guests and affiliations, funding
sources, etc.
Social networking: the role of FB and its
effect on communication and its
influence on the way we think and/or
view ourselves and others
View Twelve Angry Men
Characterize the Jurors: background and
professions, education level, etc.
Analyze the arguments of each for
prejudices and biases
Examine the arguments presented by
each for bias
Analyze the arguments of Henry Fonda
What are the ethical and moral
responsibilities of jurors and why is it
challenging to serve on a jury?
Online assessment of chapter 9
Wk6
Law & Politics
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Analyze arguments
Present a coherent,
persuasive argument in
writing and in oral
presentations (as
individuals and in
groups)
Respond to arguments as
a critical, analytical
reader and writer
Recognize the influence
of “outside” sources on
our thinking
Recognize the
credibility,
appropriateness, and
reliability of sources
Recognize others’ biases
in thinking and how they
influence us
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Wk7
Knowledge, Evidence
& Errors in Thinking
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Analyze arguments for
sound reasoning based on
evidence and common
knowledge
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Wk8
Science
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Articulate issues in thinking
critically arising from the
influence of media, bias, or
mushy thinking
Analyze arguments
Recognize impact of
emotion on critical thinking
Analyze arguments for
fallacies
Recognize fallacies
Analyze arguments
Construct arguments
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Analyze arguments
Create arguments for issue
Explain hypothesis,
summarize data, report
results, synthesize results,
and draw conclusions based
on results
Explain hypothesis,
summarize data, report
results, synthesize results,
and draw conclusions based
on results
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Wk9
Reason & Emotion
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Wk10
Informal fallacies
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Wk11
Recognizing, analyzing
& constructing
arguments
Inductive/deductive
arguments
Presentation of research
projects
Wk12
Wk13
Wk14
Presentations of
research projects
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Analysis of Obama speech
Analysis of Palin’s speech
Presentation: lobby Congress/City
Council for a cause you believe in –
prepare a 2-3 minute
presentation/argument
Online assessment on chapter 13
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PPT presentation
In-class exercise
Scientific method: research project
Choosing an appropriate topic and
creating hypotheses
Create and submit an outline for research
project w/ deadlines
Review sample student papers
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Present a persuasive argument
In-class debate
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In-class exercise
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Create arguments for research paper
Peer review session for feedback on
arguments
Incorporate inductive/deductive
arguments in research project
Present an oral report of research project
Prepare a PPT
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Present an oral report of research project
Prepare a PPT